Police are investigating reports of sheep and lambs having been killed and injured near Tain, possibly by a big cat. The attacks were reported on 4 June and 9 June in two locations, both in the Edderton Hill area, north of Tain. Northern Constabulary said that they, “are looking into the possibility that the sheep may have been attacked by a large cat, due to the nature of the injuries.” Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them on 0845 600 5703. Last August Police issued a warning to walkers and other members of the public after two…

Scotland’s newest wildlife festival to showcase the best natural heritage assets at the heart of Scotland’s largest National Scenic Area in Wester Ross gets underway later this month. Held in and around Gairloch, the Wild About Gairloch festival takes place from Thursday June 23 until Monday 27 inclusive. Attractions range from local walks investigating local butterfly and bat populations to guided circuits of the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve mountain trail and seagoing journeys out into the Minch to spot whales, porpoises, sea eagles and skuas among others. And noted authorities such as former SNH area officer John Love will…

Dave MacLeod, one of Scotland’s top climbers, has suggested mountain rescue teams could use social media to publicise accounts of rescues in order to raise funds. Writing on his blog, Dave MacLeod raised a number of interesting issues about fundraising and his desire to see rescue teams do more to use their experience to tell walkers and climbers of known accident black spots and common issues that lead to people getting into trouble on the hills. Responding to requests to publicise and endorse funding appeals by mountain rescue teams on social media sites like Twitter, Dave MacLeod likened this approach…

A new Search and Rescue team will provide emergency help to walkers and climbers in the Western Isles. The newly-formed Hebrides Search and Rescue has now been officially recognised by the Mountain Rescue Council of Scotland. The 18 strong team are based in Stornoway but will cover the whole of the Outer Hebrides and are equipped with two landrovers and have the use of a rescue boat. All the team members are keen hillwalkers, with three qualified medics, as well as a number of members who have been involved in mountain rescue elsewhere in mainland UK. John Norfolk, founder and…

There are a few last minute places left on navigation and GPS skills courses taking place this weekend at Cairngorm Mountain near Aviemore. The one day courses are run by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and are open to everyone. The aim of the navigation course taking place on Saturday 11 June is to increase your confidence in finding your way on the hill, learn the skills of map reading and compass bearings and to pick up handy hints and techniques to locate yourself on the hill in poor visibility. The GPS course on the following Sunday (the courses can…