Home   News   Article

Warning to hill walkers, skiers and mountain bikers as severe weather set to continue in Ross-shire mountains and forests


By John Davidson

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!
Ben Gibson, mountain safety adviser for Mountaineering Scotland.
Ben Gibson, mountain safety adviser for Mountaineering Scotland.

Lovers of the outdoors are being told to heed warnings with hurricane-force winds possible in the mountains and a "danger to life" in some forests.

Experts said that severe weather conditions in the hills look set to continue through the weekend and into next week.

Mountaineering Scotland is urging people to ensure they are properly equipped for full winter conditions in the mountains and plan routes according to the weather and avalanche conditions.

Mountain bikers have also been warned of potentially dangerous conditions in forests for weeks to come after a series of storms.

Specialist mountain weather forecasts are predicting sustained periods of gales or even hurricane-force winds on higher terrain for the next week. Snow, rain and hail will be experienced most days, often heavy and sometimes snowing to low levels, and drifting significantly in the mountains.

Mountaineering Scotland’s mountain safety advisor Ben Gibson said: “With such extreme weather being forecast it’s important to plan your journeys around conditions rather than just going for long-held ambitions.

“Check the specialist mountain forecasts and what the Scottish Avalanche Information Service says, and take an honest look at your fitness and skill levels – and those of the others in your party – and consider whether your planned route is really attainable or whether you should adapt it – or make different plans altogether.”

Vice chair of Scottish Mountain Rescue, Kev Mitchell, said: “The weekend forecast is for very unsettled and, at times, dangerous conditions. With the arrival of Storm Eunice on Friday, hills will see high winds and the potential for snowfall to low levels, meaning the avalanche forecast will be likely to worsen.

“Good decision-making is key in these situations and often the decision not to go, whilst correct, is the hardest one to make.

“We’d also signpost people to the ThinkWINTER campaign which offers excellent advice to help hill goers avoid needing help in the first place.

“Often, though, people don’t know what to do if they find themselves in difficulty. Please remember if you are lost, in need of assistance or in an emergency, dial 999 and ask for Police then Mountain Rescue.”

Shaun Roberts, principal of Glenmore Lodge, added: “Be avalanche aware. Take time to read sportscotland’s Avalanche Information Services’ avalanche hazards forecasts and blog pages. Maybe whilst sheltering from the weather at home, make a cup of tea and sign up for the free SAFOS e-learning Be Avalanche Aware programme.”

While skiers may be happy to see some snow, which has been in short supply this winter, Snowsport Scotland is reminding ski tourers to pay close attention to the conditions.

Euan Baxter, of Snowsport Scotland, said: “It's always exciting to see the snow come in and get ready for seeking turns outside of resorts but, during the storm cycles which bring the snow, anyone seeking turns should slow down and give the conditions real thought. Who are you with? Where are you going? What is the weather doing? Is there an avalanche risk? Does everyone support your plan?

"Asking questions to yourself and your group will help inform the right decisions for a safe day in the hills.”

Storm damage to forests in recent weeks on top of fresh cycles of strong winds is creating an added risk for mountain bikers.

Colena Cotter, of Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland, said: “Trail/singletrack riding in many areas across Scotland continues to be exceptionally fragile following the devastation caused by Storm Arwen and the subsequent storms. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), land managers and trails associations are continuing their recovery efforts.

"In this exceptional set of circumstances, there continues to be a significant danger to life in some forests.

“We are working closely with FLS, land managers and trails associations to be able to share as much information as possible to ensure that riders can make the best choices and establish where they can ride safely. We have created a webpage with information riders can use when planning where to ride.

"We are urging riders to adhere to any trails/forests closed signage and keep checking our webpage and trail managers' websites for updates.”


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More