Daniel Smith has become the youngest person to climb all the Munros. The nine year old from Glasgow climbed his way into the record books with his final Munros yesterday (Saturday 23 February) Stuchd an Lochan and Meall Buidhe. Recent years have seen a flurry of young walkers tackling mountain challenges. Last year Ben Fleetwood from Cumbria became the youngest person to scale all the Munros, aged ten. He was quickly joined by ten year old Scottish twins Cliona and Nuala McCheyne from Dunoon. Nine year old Daniel started walking with his father Mark in the Campsies and climbed his…

With Scotland’s hills and mountains currently at their most beautiful and most challenging, mountaineering bodies today (21 February) have issued the following joint safety reminder, emphasising the need for preparation before heading out into the mountains. “Whether you’re out walking or attempting a technical climb, the presence of snow and ice adds an extra dimension to the risks and rewards of a day spent in our wildest environments. The primary consideration of every expedition, whatever the season, should always be a safe return. But conditions in winter make particular demands: shorter days, low temperatures and conditions underfoot which can quickly…

Bookings are now being taken for events at this year’s Moray Walking Festival. The varied 5-day event will take place between Thursday 20 June to Monday 24 June. The programme includes a dawn walk up Ben Rinnes to catch the sunrise, a navigation skills walk, an evening whisky nosing session, coastal, riverside and moorland rambles, an evening mountain safety talk, as well as historical, nature and whisky themed-walks. Festival organisers say, “Moray has much to offer walkers that visit this less well known area of Scotland. Picture yourself strolling along clifftops over long sandy beaches watching out for the famous…

Police have named two of the three people who died after an avalanche in the Cairngorms on 14 February as on Thursday. Squadron Leader Rimon Than, 33, of RAF Valley, North Wales, and Flight Lieutenant Fran Capps, both members of the RAF Mountaineering Association were killed along with a student taking part in a winter skills course at Glenmore Lodge. Nine other people were caught up in the avalanche in the Chalamain Gap, a steep sided glen linking the Cairngorm ski road with the Lairig Ghru, were unhurt. Bob Kinnaird, Principal of Glenmore Lodge, said it was the first fatality…

Police have confirmed that all three of the walkers caught in an avalanche in the Cairngorms yesterday (14 February) have died. A number of people were involved in the avalanche which happened shortly after midday in the Chalamain Gap. A large rescue operation involving members of Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team, SARDA Scotland dogs, RAF Lossiemouth MRT and two RAF Helicopters resulted in the recovery of the three buried walkers who were all airlifted to hospital in Aberdeen where it is understood they died as a result of injuries. Further details are likely to be released once next of kin have…

Emergency services are currently responding to an avalanche in the Cairngorm mountains today, 14 February. The avalanche was reported to have happened shortly after midday in the Chalamain Gap area of the Cairngorms. Officers from Northern Constabulary are being assisted by members of Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team, SARDA Scotland dogs, RAF Lossiemouth MRT and two RAF Helicopters. Police have confirmed that a number of people were caught up in the avalanche. UPDATE 16:25: The three missing climbers have been airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmiry.

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) has asked Diarmid O'Hara, the Editor of BBC's Newsnight Scotland to put the record straight following last night's programme which featured a debate concerning safety in Scotland’s mountains. The debate, led by presenter Gordon Brewer included Dorothy Grace Elder, a freelance journalist and former SNP MSP, and independent mountaineering instructor Paul Cunningham. The debate discussed a number questions relating to safety in the mountains following ‘calls from certain quarters to restrict access’ to the mountains during winter. Unfortunately Brewer did not specify from which ‘quarters’ the ‘calls’ originated. David Gibson, MCofS Chief Officer said:…

The chimney stack of Faindouran Lodge bothy has collapsed resulting in significant damage to the roof and walls of the building. The bothy – situated in a very remote location at NJ 081062 near the head of Glen Avon in the Cairngorms, is currently in a dangerous condition. It should not be used. We hope to make a site visit as soon as possible to assess the damage. In the meantime, with the agreement of the estate, the adjacent Pony Shed (c. 20 yards from the main lodge) can be used as accommodation. The bothy – which is on Inchrory…

A walker has been found dead and five others have been airlifted to safety following a large-scale mountain rescue in the Cairngorms. The five were rescued uninjured near Carn Tarsuinn by Braemar Mountain Rescue Team at about midday on Monday 11 February. Shortly afterwards the body of a man was recovered in the Jacob’s Ladder area. It is believed that the walkers were part of a larger party of 35 who were members of Leeds University Hiking Club. The six were reported overdue on Sunday night and more than 100 mountain rescuers were involved in the overnight search. Police inquries…