The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) is urging hill walkers and climbers to take particular care with preparation when heading out to the hills during the winter months. The walker’s and climber’s organisation has issued a “Ten Point Winter Check List” as shorter days and adverse weather conditions require preparation for the potential problems that can arise on a winter day or night spent on the Scottish hills. MCofS Chief Officer, David Gibson, says: “There is a poignant quote that goes: Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement. Having considered a selection of typical winter pitfalls, the…

The Mountain Weather Information Service will now be releasing its forecasts at 13:30 each day. This is done every winter as an aid to safe decision making for hillwalkers and climbers, allowing for earlier forward planning during the winter months. In the summer the new forecast is released at 16:30 each day. All forecasts will continue to be updated whenever necessary throughout the day, with the 13:30 release being a major update and all others being amendements to the major release. On most days an amendment is made at around 07:30, but it should be noted that other amendments may…

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is warning motorists that collisions between deer and vehicles increase in certain parts of Scotland at this time of year. Car accidents involving deer can peak at this time of year, as our clocks turn back. With the nights starting earlier, the peak commuting time coincides with deer coming out to feed on grass verges near roadsides. From Monday, 24 October to Monday, 14 November, electronic variable messaging signs will warn motorists at key locations on the main trunk roads in Scotland, such as the A9, A835, A85, A82, and A87. From the latest deer vehicle…

A lengthy mountain rescue search ended yesterday (Saturday 15 October) with the recovery of the body of a climber from the Glen Shiel mountains above the the Cluanie Inn. The dead man has now been named by Police as 65 year old Tom Clark, a graphic designer from Aberdeen. Kintail Mountain Rescue Team, SARDA Search Dogs along with Police and Rescue 137 from RAF Lossiemouth attended following an emergency call was received around 5:30 pm stating that a man had fallen a considerable distance. Eventually the fallen climber was located and found to have suffered fatal injuries.