Lochaber Geopark is offering a chance to follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin during a guided walk to the Parallel Roads in Glen Roy in June and July. The strange ridges on the hillsides of Glen Roy are thought to be the old shorelines of lochs whose water level changed dramatically due to an ice dam which may have been formed by a falling comet. Darwin, who was born 200 years ago, visited Glen Roy in 1838 and after spending 5 days exploring, described it as a, “most remarkable area”. Darwin came to the conclusion that the lines were…

The four Scottish Coastguard search and rescue helicopters that were grounded last week following a fatal crash in Canada, have been given the all clear to fly again. Last week the helicopters, which are based in Shetland and Lewis, and cover a vast area of northern Scotland, often on mountain rescue missions, were grounded to allow for safety checks after the Canadian crash revealed a fault. The Sikorsky S-92 aircraft have been fitted with replacement parts and returned to service following the accident in Newfoundland last week in which 17 people died. During the grounding, emergency cover has been provided…

The BBC report that the hillwalker who had been reported missing overnight in the Kintail area has been found injured by the RAF Kinloss Mountain Rescue team. He was unconcious. The walker had failed to return last night from a hike and has now been airlifted to the Belford hospital in Fort William. Three mountain rescue teams, as well as the RAF, coastguard, police and search dogs were involved in the search. An RAF spokesman said “Everything possible was done to get the man to hospital as quickly as possible. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.”

The National Trust for Scotland has announced a number of cost saving measures in response to an expected downturn in income this year. On the closure list is the Mountain Visitor Centre at Ben Lawers which is popular as an interpretation centre for the special and fragile habitat on the mountain as well as with walkers setting off on one of the most popular Munros. Also to be closed are Arduaine Gardens in Argyll, Hill of Tarvit Mansion House in Fife, and Leith Hall House in Aberdeenshire. The NTS is seeking external sponsorship or volunteer support to keep a number…