Look Out for Sudden Oak Death

Symptoms include leaf discolouration, in particular along the mid-rib. However identification is not straight forward and even NTS and other experts need to confirm suspected infections through lab analysis.

People should keep a close eye on plants they buy or are given, to make sure the plants are healthy and remain so. If they suspect a plant is infected they should contact their local Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate office.

The list of known natural hosts can be viewed here
Images of the symptoms can be viewed here

Closure of Alladale Bothy

Mountain Bothy Association release:
From 1 November 2007, Alladale Bothy in the northern highlands of Scotland will cease to be maintained by the MBA and will no longer be available for use as an open shelter.
(OS map ref: Sheet 20, 1:50,000 , NH 426 895)

The MBA has been aware for some time that development plans for Alladale and Deanich Estate were likely to result in the closure of the bothy so the news was not unexpected.

The building was renovated by the Association in 1972 and has been available for use as an open shelter since that time.

Peter King, MBA General Secretary said:
“While we are disappointed that this fine bothy, which is in a superb location, will no longer be available for use by walkers and other outdoor enthusiasts, the MBA is grateful to both the current owner of Alladale, Mr Paul Lister and the previous owners, Mr and Mrs MacAire for making the building available as an unlocked shelter for so many years”.

Telephone Number for BMC

The British Mountaineering Council are discontinuing use of the 0870 phone number they have had for the past few years. Calls from now should be made through their local number: 0161 445 6111.

Mountaintop Surveys - still no new Munros

CMCR Ltd. of Larbert and The Munro Society have been carrying out surveys to check the true height of mountains, to see if any of the close contenders would turn out to qualify for Munro status after more accurate modern surveys.

They announced on 6th September that their survey of Beinn Dearg (North of Torridon) shows it falls short of the 3000 feet (914.4 metres) mark, though by less than a metre. Earlier in the year, a survey of Foinaven confirmed that it too was less than Munro height.

Beinn Dearg
189529.601 Easting, 860820.553 Northing and a height of 913.675 metres
Foinaven
231519.451 Easting; 950698.611 Northing, and a height of 911.046 metres.
The new heights have been ratified by the Ordnance Survey

This means that both confirmed as Corbetts, failing to reach the required height in excess of 914.4 metres to qualify as a Munro.

SUPPORT A TELEVISED TRIBUTE TO TOM WEIR

Scottish actress Vicki Balnaves has been campaigning to have a television tribute made to the late Tom Weir and his contribution to all aspects of Scotlands mountains and the outdoors throughout his life. Think about it, how much did Toms work inspire you to explore the outdoors?

An online petition was run to encourage Scottish Television to screen a tribute but, with no sign of success so far, Vicki is now taking matters forward in her own hands. She has formed a production company to create the programme, and is seeking donations to help fund the project. For more information and the opportunity to make a donation, small or large, visit the website at www.friskyburn.co.uk.

Compleat Munroists - New Clerk of the List

After 6 years of dedicated service, David Kirk has passed the Scottish Mountaineering Club's List of Compleat Munroists to Dave Broadhead.

Anyone wishing to register a Compleation or amend their original entry should write to:
Dave Broadhead
Cul Mor
Drynie Park North
Muir of Ord
Ross-shire IV6 7RP

Details of your Compleation, highlights of your round and any other interesting details are welcome.
For confirmation, please enclose a SAE (A4 size if a certificate is required).

Details of additions and amendments are published in July each year in the Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal. The full List is available at www.smc.org.uk along with a Photo Gallery of Munro Final Summits and the SMC webmaster is keen to borrow photographs to expand this unique archive. Please check the website for further details.

Isle of Harris Community seeks your views.

The Isle of Harris has been asked to submit an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund Landscape Partnership Scheme. If successful the money will be used to support and develop the heritage industry on Harris.

The community would like to hear suggestions from visitors to their island. You can also find out more about what is being planned and submit youur ideas by following the link attached below.
www.surveymonkey.com/

Mountaineers Sculpture on Skye

The Collie-Mackenzie Sculpture Group has launched an initiative to raise funds to build a monument to two pioneering climbers, Professor Norman Collie and John MacKenzie.

The Group is a Sconser-based community organisation and recently received planning permission to erect a bronze statute of Collie and Mackenzie together with associated paths and a car parking area..The sculpture will be on John Muir Trust land near the Sligachan bridge. The project has the overwhelming support of the local community, and consultation and dialogue with the John Muir Trust, MCof S ,and SNH, has been ongoing for amost three years.

An estimated figure of £450,000 - £500,000 is needed to fund the project. The first donations were gratefully received in early August from members of the John Muir Trust at the launch of the fundraising initiative.
See the website skyesculpture.com where there is more information on the project, an online donations facility and a messageboard to leave comments.

Report Wildlife Poisoning

The MCofS is working with the Scottish Executive and the Police to help in the fight against wildlife crime. The Scottish Executive has asked us to raise awareness amongst our members of the Freephone line for reporting incidents of such crimes. Anyone taking their recreation in the countryside should keep an eye out for any possible instances of wildlife poisoning or suspicious behaviour and report it to 0800 321 600.

Breakthrough in Work at Height

Ministers have now instructed that the Work at Height Regulations, which were created for the construction industry, will not apply to mountain leaders, instructors and guides working in the adventure activity sector. This successful outcome is the result of years of work by a wide range of individuals and organisations, primarily spearheaded by Mountain Leader Training UK. John Cousins, secretary to MLTUK said,
“It is fantastic to see that common sense has won through in the end but only thanks to the efforts of a great many people across the entire climbing, caving and adventure activity sector. It is also good to see that politicians and the public do recognise the value of what we do and we are grateful for the support of so many politicians and the public at large.”

Legislation specifically dedicated to adventure activities will be created in due course which will be entitled the Work at Height (Adventure Activities) Regulations and which will be tailored to climbing and mountaineering and will recognise the uniqueness of work within the adventure activities sector.

The MCofS would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank all those who worked so hard to bring about this successful conclusion to what has been a very lengthy fight.
Previous report

Bynack Stable Blown Away

Following the article in issue 17 of Scottish Mountaineer reporting the delapidated shelter known as Bynack Stable was to be removed, it was given a reprieve. However, nature has taken a hand as the building has been blown off its base and the wreckage found further down the path.
The building was located in Strath Nethy at grid ref. NJ021105, just over a mile from Ryvoan Bothy.

Bridge swept away on the
Keltie Water near Arivurichardich

“The Stovies” (who have the cottage at Arivurichardich) have reported that recent flooding has completely destroyed the bridge at Grid Reference NN 642130 (Landranger Sheet 57). Access by this route from Callander to Stuc a' Chroin and Ben Vorlich will now require a river crossing which may be difficult in wet weather.

Stac Polly Telecoms Mast

The latest we hear that, in the face of overwhelming objections received by the council, the developers have withdrawn their application and are looking for alternative sites.

Glen Einich Track

There is likely to be disruption on the Gleann Einich track over the next few years as work is carried out on the water extraction pipe that takes 1.5 million gallons a day from Loch Einich. The work will involve lining the old pipe with new to stop leaks but not to increase the extraction rate or pipe capacity. Villages such as Carrbridge ran out of water earlier this year and leaks were seen as a major cause of that shortage.

The work will take place from mid-May to October over two years. The glen will not be closed at any time but the footpath in the gorge will be closed while they are working in that area and people directed along the track above the gorge. With the presence of heavy vehicles and other machinery the visual and noise intrusion is likely to be the biggest impact on recreation.

Balmashanner Quarry - Near Forfar

Climbers heading for Balmashanner Quarry to the south of Forfar are asked to respect the advice given in the SMC guidebook about not blocking access to Glencoe Cottage, but to park instead alongside the hedge. So far this year there have been two cars that have been parked in a way that has blocked access to this cottage.

Details of lectures and events can now be found on the Diary page.