New avalanche blogs chart Scots snow

Scottish winter mountaineers can look forward to a Hogmanay of fresh snow as heavy falls are forecast for the various regions.The Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) has introduced new blogs for the Cairngorms and Lochaber, giving up-to-date reports for those venturing on to the mountains.Latest information from the Northern Cairngorms blog has heavy snow falling at midday today, with a rutsch block test in half a metre of fresh windslab.

Scottish mountain marathon dates announced

This year’s Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon (LAMM) will take place on the weekend of 9-10 June.The 2006 event took place in Assynt, in the far North-West of Scotland.

Bus magnate ?wants more protection than Queen?

Stagecoach millionaires Ann Gloag is demanding more privacy than the Queen, a court heard.Ramblers’ Association (RA) director Dave Morris told Perth Sheriff Court that the bus magnate’s attempts to stop walkers using her land meant she was asking for more protection than the Royal Family on its Balmoral estate.He said most parts of the Royal estate were open to walkers.

Girl survives 500ft Glencoe fall

A ten-year-old girl survived a 500ft fall in Glencoe yesterday.Mountain rescuers said if she had been an adult, she would probably have died, but the fact she was small and supple saved her life.The girl plunged down a steep, grassy slope while descending Meall Mor, near Glencoe village.

Saxon Shore Way victory for campaigners

Campaigners are celebrating an inspector’s decision not to allow 18 houses to be built near a long-distance footpath.The Open Spaces Society (OSS) had backed Medway Council, in Kent, in opposing the construction of 18 extra dwellings on open land in a conservation area at Gillingham Green.Following a public inquiry, the inspector Ava Wood ruled dismissed the appeal by Taylor Woodrow Developments who had wanted to build on land crossed by the Saxon Shore Way, a long-distance path.Ms Wood said: “This swathe of open ground provides relief from the intensity of development in the locality.”Pat Wilson, local representative of the OSS, said: “This is a brilliant New Year present for all Gillingham and Medway residents who enjoy the land near Gillingham Strand and the many people who walk the Saxon Shore Way.“The area is largely defined by the chain of open spaces that connect and contribute to the setting of the prominent, Grade II listed, ancient church and to the church grounds.“‘We are grateful to councillors who stuck to their guns over so many years to protect this oasis, and to the Medway Countryside Forum who supported them at the public inquiry.”.

Foot-and-mouth scare over as pigs cleared

A foot-and-mouth disease scare is over after scientists gave the all-clear to samples taken from pigs.Officials had examined specimens taken from an abattoir in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Residents' blockade stops council path work

Council workers were forced to abandon surfacing work on an old drovers’ track after a blockade by residents.Locals in Galashiels, Selkirkshire, cut off the 200-year-old cobbled road with cars when they saw council workermen tarring over the surface.Scottish Borders Council had to abandon work on the half-mile stretch, which forms part of the Southern Upland Way.

Ramblers' figurehead arrested on race charge

A Ramblers’ Association vice-president has been arrested on suspicion of racially abusing a woman.Police bailed Janet Street-Porter after questioning her when she voluntarily went to a north London police station.A spokesman said: “On 16 January, a 59-year-old woman attended a north London police station by appointment and was arrested in connection with an alleged racially aggravated public-order offence.“She was later bailed to return in February pending further inquiries.”Ms Street-Porter was president of the Ramblers’ Association between 1994 and 1997 and is now a vice-president, an honorary title accorded to those who have served as president.

Highland casualty airlifted to hospital

A man was taken to hospital today after falling while on a Highland mountain.The unnamed casualty was airlifted by Royal Navy helicopter to Belford Hospital in Fort William after the incident in the Stob Coire Easain area near Roy Bridge, Lochaber.The alarm was raised early this afternoon and the aircrew from HMS Gannet flew the man to hospital.