January 2001

Missing climbers found safe and well

Two climbers lost overnight on a Scottish mountain on January 2 were found safe and well the following day, police said. They were discovered on Ben Lomond, Stirlingshire, at about 1015 GMT after a combined search by police, three local rescue teams and a Royal Navy helicopter. Police were alerted on Tuesday night after the pair, part of a group of 11, were discovered missing.

Meanwhile, four climbers, reported lost on the Aonach Eagach ridge in Glencoe have been found safe and well. Northern Constabulary said the alarm had been raised at about 1830 GMT for the four climbers who were stuck on Glencoe. The climbers, who are said to be properly clothed and well equipped, were about 3,000 feet up on the ridge. The Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team had located them, but police said on Tuesday evening that getting them off the hill was expected to take some time due to the area they were in.

Golden eagle deaths

By Tom McIntyre
A bird protection agency claims that a record number of golden eagles were illegally killed during the year 2000. In the last 12 months at least three birds were poisoned at various locations around Scotland, says the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). And it now fears the 421 pairs remaining north of the Border could be under threat of persecution on farms and sporting estates. Senior investigations officer for the RSPB Scotland, Dave Dick, said this year had been "disastrous" for the birds.

''There is no question that these crimes have been particularly targeted at golden eagles," said Mr Dick. ''Golden eagles are a Scottish icon and it is a disgrace that crimes like this are still being committed across Scotland. These three birds were all found poisoned in areas traditionally good for golden eagles. Sadly a large majority of poisoning incidents take place on sporting estates - too many for pure coincidence. The only reason why there are not more golden eagles in Scotland is because of persecution."

Mr Dick said it was likely the eagles were poisoned as they were suspected of feeding on rabbits, lambs and other birds of prey. The death toll has led Stuart Housden, director of the RSPB Scotland, to call on estate managers to ensure birds are not targeted in the future.

He said: "I am saddened that once again only some owners and managers of sporting estates have condemned this illegal activity."

The three poisoned birds were found in the Perthshire Hills, Sutherland and in the south of the Monadhliadh Mountains. Golden eagles are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Environment Minister Sam Galbraith said recently the Scottish Executive would publish a policy statement on wildlife law reform. This is likely to contain proposals for tougher measures to deter and punish wildlife criminals, including the prospect of prison sentences for habitual offenders.

Missing plane - appeal to walkers and climbers

The wife of a businessman whose light aircraft disappeared in the Scottish Highlands has renewed her appeal for public help. Trish MacLean, whose husband Bob was a passenger in the single-engined Cessna piloted by Ewan Spalding, believes walkers and climbers out on the hills could provide vital clues. The men vanished in their plane somewhere west of Dingwall on 13 December. They were heading for a business meeting on the Hebridean island of Benbecula. Mother-of-three Mrs MacLean said both families had endured a dreadful Christmas.

Radio contact was lost with the aircraft 15 minutes after it took off from Inverness Airport at 0900 GMT. No further contact was made with the plane, which only had enough fuel to fly for four hours. Police, coastguard personnel, RAF and civilian mountain rescue teams spent days searching for the missing plane without success. The pilot did not log a flight route, residents between Dingwall and Ullapool reported no positive sightings and special thermal imaging and reconnaissance equipment could not spot anything. Police now think that the plane had flown over the Mr MacLean's workplace at Muir of Ord before getting lost. Thirty-nine-year-old Mr Spalding from Dingwall, and Mr MacLean, 36, from Marybank, near Dingwall, are both company directors. Mr Spalding is an experienced pilot who chartered the light grey plane, registration number C-BHPK, from Highland Flying Club.

Mobile phone warning

he commanding officer of Scotland's RAF mountain rescue service, Flight Lieutenant Ted Atkins, issued a New Year warning for walkers who have become over reliant on their mobile phone. He advised people heading for the mountains to take extra precautions. The warning comes in the wake of a number of incidents where climbers have hit problems after setting off with merely a mobile phone as back-up.

Earlier this month, the RAF Leuchars mountain rescue team was involved in a 22-hour rescue attempt after three mountain-bikers got into difficulties in a forest near Inverary, in Argyll. The trio alerted emergency services to their plight on a mobile, but were unable to state their position.

Flt Lt Atkins believes incidents such as these could have been prevented if people listened to the experts and took the necessary safety precautions.

He said: "Most of the advice we give to climbers is just common sense - but these simple pointers can save lives. They can be time consuming but, in my opinion, it is time well spent as it can cut out the risks involved."

And the ever-increasing popularity of the mobile phone among walkers and climbers was called into question by Flt Lt Atkins.

"Members of rescue teams across the world are extremely wary of mobile phones. More and more people appear to be depending on the mobile, and although it can be a tremendous asset it is dangerous to be over reliant on them," he continued."They can be useful, there is no doubt about that. If someone does hit problems then it can save time and help the efforts of rescue teams."

Many experts believe that mobile phones can be a useful back-up but more often than not are completely useless.

"In extreme weather conditions the battery can go flat or they can just malfunction-at the end of the day there is no replacement for the old fashioned map and compass," said Flight Lieutenant Atkins.

"We have experienced a number of incidents where a stricken party have called the emergency services to say they are lost but have no idea where they are. In these cases the mobile is useless and is of no advantage to the rescue teams in their bid to find them."

And Mr Atkins believes that climbers hoping to tackle the mountain ranges in Scotland must be prepared for any eventual outcome and not put all their faith in the mobile.

He said: "Obviously equipment is the key to any successful climb or hike-problems arise when essential equipment has been left at home and the mobile is all they have. There are some pieces of equipment that should instantly spring to mind, such as a torch, first aid kit, gloves, quality waterproof clothing, as well as spare dry clothing and extra rations of high-calorie food."

However, he believes these basics are not enough, and hillwalkers should leave nothing to chance. Whistles should also be packed to ensure that if someone does hit difficulties, then they can attract the attention of rescuers.

Climbers in Scotland should also be aware of dramatic changes in weather.

Flt Lt Atkins warned: "Those thinking of heading out should always check the weather forecasts for the intended path of the hike. Generally, forecasts are accurate and if foul conditions are expected then it would be foolish to continue with the trip."

He also advised people to leave a detailed route card with a responsible person or in their car, stating times of departure and arrival. Groups or parties should always stick together in the face of problems or risky situations, added the flight lieutenant.

Climber dies in Glen Doll plunge

The snow-covered Angus mountains claimed the life of an English climber on Wednesday, December 27. Thirty-four-year-old Dr Philip Lakelin died after falling around 300 feet while trying to make his way up a gully below Mayar.

Dr Lakelin, from Cambridge, was in a party of three which had set out at midday for the hills. He and a male companion parted with a woman in their group to tackle B gully in Coire Fee (pictured above). During the ascent Dr Lakelin lost his footing and tumbled, sustaining fatal injuries. His companion made his way to the top of the coire and, at around 3.20 pm, used his mobile phone to contact police who put a rescue operation into place.

The Tayside Police Search and Rescue Unit was scrambled, as was the civilian Tayside Mountain Rescue Team. They were joined by a search and rescue helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth which air-lifted members of the RAF Leuchars mountain rescue team, exercising at Braemar at the time, to the scene. The Leuchars rescuers were brought in close to the gully before the Sea King headed back to Braemar to refuel.

Search parties were deployed into various gullies at Coire Fee and were ready to walk down from the top, while others were prepared to set up a radio relay from the mountain tops when the body of the climber was located.

The discovery came following a search hampered by poor light. The RAF helicopter, call sign Rescue 137, returned to the scene and had the grim task of winching the fall victim on board. It flew to Forfar and landed on open parkland by the town's leisure centre, where the stretcher was transferred to a waiting vehicle.

The party had earlier set out to enjoy a post-Christmas walk in clear but cold conditions. The dead man and his companion were described as experienced in hill craft and well equipped.

Inspector Nick Hull, a co-ordinator of the police unit, said: "The problem at the moment is the conditions. They are very variable. The cold snap has frozen things on the surface but, underneath, it's not too steady. I would urge extreme caution when venturing out.

"Recent cold weather and ice have made climbing and walking conditions difficult and people should exercise common sense and caution when venturing out on the hills. This incident, which involved experienced walkers, only serves to underline the dangers present at this time of the year,'' he added.

The gully is located in the beauty spot of Coire Fee, situated between the 3043 feet Munro, Mayar, and Jock's Road, and is popular all year round.

Alfie Ingram, leader of the civilian rescue team, said the gully was not overly technical. But he added: "The problem at the moment is the conditions. They are very variable. The cold snap has frozen things on the surface but, underneath, it's not too steady. I would urge extreme caution when venturing out."

Foreign buyers crave Cuillin

Foreign buyers have expressed interest in buying the Black Cuillin on Skye, according to the selling agents. The mountain range was put on the market by owner John MacLeod of MacLeod. He said the proposed £10m sale would fund repairs to Dunvegan Castle, which he has turned into a tourist attraction. Three foreign contenders, two from America and one from Europe, are said to be in the running to buy the Black Cuillin. The money from the estate, which covers around 35 sq miles, would also be used to fund a series of conservation and tourism projects on the island. John Vaughan, a spokesman for selling agents, FPD Savills, revealed he is confident of finding a buyer for the mountains.

He said: "They have attracted a lot of interest, but it is a big commitment and obviously people need to think about that. We have had people coming and going, but eventually they will run out of time and we will find a buyer.''

Mr MacLeod's announcement in March 2000 that he planned to sell the mountains was shrouded in controversy. There were allegations that the asking price was too high and questions about his ownership rights.

However, an investigation by the Crown Estate, the autonomous organisation which looks after Crown properties, ruled that the MacLeod clan was the rightful owner of the estate and there was no basis for a legal challenge.

Mr MacLeod said: "I would love not to sell the Cuillin at all, but the bottom line is Dunvegan Castle. That's what I've put as my priority, higher even than retaining ownership of the Cuillin."

In July, Mr MacLeod said that he would drop the sale if the Scottish Executive or any other sponsor came forward with the money for the renovation work.

"If the government showed themselves seriously interested in doing something in that respect, or anybody else for that matter, I would be very happy," he said.

He is resisting pressure to reduce the £10 million asking price. The 23,000 acre estate includes 11 mountains over 3,000 feet and two salmon rivers. While there have been a number of enquiries, there have been no firm offers to date.

Climber dies in Glen Doll plunge

Dr Lakelin, from Cambridge, was in a party of three which had set out at midday for the hills. He and a male companion parted with a woman in their group to tackle B gully in Coire Fee. During the ascent Dr Lakelin lost his footing and tumbled, sustaining fatal injuries. His companion made his way to the top of the coire and, at around 3.20 pm, used his mobile phone to contact police who put a rescue operation into place.

The discovery came following a search hampered by poor light. The RAF helicopter, call sign Rescue 137, returned to the scene and had the grim task of winching the fall victim on board.

It flew to Forfar and landed on open parkland by the town's leisure centre, where the stretcher was transferred to a waiting vehicle.

The party had earlier set out to enjoy a post-Christmas walk in clear but cold conditions.

The dead man and his companion were described as experienced in hill craft and well equipped.

The gully is located in the beauty spot of Coire Fee, situated between the 3043 feet Munro, Mayar, and Jock's Road, and is popular all year round.

MBE for Hamish Brown

Walker, climber, author and photographer Hamish Brown has received an MBE in the New Year Honours list. His achievements ''in encouraging appreciation of the outdoors by young people'' earned his award.

The son of a Dunfermline banker, Hamish was born in Sri Lanka and had a well-travelled childhood with his family, leaving Japan just before the outbreak of the second world war. He began his mountain wandering as a young refugee in South Africa and continued when his family returned to Scotland and settled in Dollar. As a young teacher he did much to encourage youngsters to explore the wilds. In 1974 he was the first man to climb all of the Munros in one epic expedition.

Hamish, who now lives in the Fife town of Burntisland, has written more than 20 books on his passion. His contribution to the field of walking and climbing literature was recognised when he was awarded an honorary doctor of letters from the University of St Andrews in 1997.

MBE for mountain rescue leader

John Allen, leader of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team, has been awarded the MBE for services to mountain rescue. Originally from Glasgow, he has lived in Kingussie since 1970. John joined the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team in 1972 after an appeal made by the local police inspector for volunteers following the Cairngorm school party tragedy of November 1971 in which six Edinburgh schoolchildren and a teacher lost their lives. He became deputy team leader in 1984 and team leader four years later - a post he still holds. John reckons he has been involved in more than 500 rescues and probably as many other mountain incidents again. He said: ''It is a nice honour to be given and it is a tribute to the whole team and all those involved in mountain rescue work.''

Members vote to publish bothy grid references

By Colin Hogarth
Members of the Mountain Bothies Association have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the publication of bothy grid references.

The association balloted all of its members earlier in September and the results, published in the December MBA newsletter, reveal 998 were in favour of publication. This represents 68.3% of the poll. Four hundred and twenty eight (29.3%) voted against publication and 36 (2.4%) did not express an opinion either way. As a result, grid references will be included with information on all bothies within the care of the MBA in its publications.

Publishing the grid references of bothies has long been a thorny issue within the MBA. In 1995, members voted by a substantial majority to cease publishing map references. At that time the organisation was concerned at the amount of use and publicity bothies were receiving. Prior to issuing a new members' handbook, the association decided to review the policy. Members were asked to vote on the proposition: ''Map references defining the location of the bothies maintained by the MBA should be published in both the Members' Handbook and Annual Report''.

Those backing the move said that fears that the popularity and accessibility of hill walking would render the system unsustainable have not materialised and isolated incidents of vandalism are usually down to local youths on drinking sprees with no evidence of serious abuse by genuine visitors. Supporters say that to deny the whereabouts of MBA maintained bothies leaves the association open to accusations that it is seeking to keep bothies as the preserve of a ''inner circle''. Membership turn-over, letters of resignation and claims of guarded, if not hostile, responses to genuine enquiries suggest the current policy is putting off potential new members.

Those opposed to the proposition argued the role of the MBA is to maintain bothies, not promote their use, and that ever increasing numbers of walkers and cyclists contribute to the abuse of bothies. Only giving such information to those who work to preserve the bothy system is not secrecy, just plain common sense, they claim.

Failing our forests

All of Britain's natural forest has been destroyed, and protective measures brought in to save semi-natural remnants have been largely unsuccessful, according to a report by a government agency and a leading environmental group.

Decades of neglect, failure to curb deer numbers and the splitting of woodlands into isolated pockets have contributed to the decline, the report claims. Widespread planting of foreign conifers in the 1980s, fuelled by tax breaks for wealthy investors has also played a part.

Even woodlands in areas supposed to have legal protection - such as Scotland's ancient Caledonian pine forest - have been damaged, the report says. Almost half the country's designated sites of special scientific interest in which trees were safeguarded show signs of neglect.

The report says the overall effect is now so widespread that a network of "strict forest reserves" where development is forbidden should be set up to aid recovery.

Produced for the Forestry Commission and the World Wide Fund for Nature by the Oxford Forestry Institute, the report is a detailed analysis of the country's public and private woodland reserves.

"The UK has no truly natural [original] woodland left," it says, adding that even the 2% of the original woodland that survived as ancient semi-natural woodland had been "exploited or altered by humans".

Opposition politicians said last night that action was needed urgently to reverse the trend. Murray Tosh, Scottish environment spokesman for the Conservatives said: "There is a need for a clear inventory of what we have got and for the introduction of proper management regimes to preserve and extend what old forest we have left."

Deforestation of a countryside once covered by natural woodland has been followed by virtual decimation of the semi-natural forest that partly replaced it. Large tracts disappeared in a 40-year period after the Second World War.

In the 1980s, in a misguided attempt to increase forest cover, successive chancellors gave tax breaks to investors in return for planting trees. Celebrities such as Terry Wogan and former world snooker champions Steve Davis and Alex Higgins were all tempted. But the scheme added to the continuing destruction of natural and semi-natural woodlands that were supposed to be protected by a raft of legally-backed conservation measures.

Adding to the problem, the report says, are "serious inadequacies" in the collection of data which means that no one is certain how much of the country's forest cover is now protected. Although the UK could have 633,000 hectares of forest within some form of protected area, the figure is not reliable, says the report.

It suggests the purchase and management of National Nature Reserves in which forests have a degree of protection have been limited by financial constraints. Changes in political attitudes to state ownership of land, particularly under Conservative administrations, have also affected the use of the designation.

Landowning practices that have contributed to the decline are also highlighted. These include neglect and insensitive management and the effects of growing populations of deer, which prevent forests from regenerating.

This has been a particular problem in Scotland, where huge herds of red deer maintained to provide sport for visiting hunters have restricted attempts to recreate the ancient Caledonian forest in the Highlands.

Thumbs up for Nevis Range MTB course

Nevis Range's downhill mountain bike run has been rated as one of Britain's top 10 bike venues by MBR magazine. Riders and their bikes are whisked up to the top of the track by the centre's gondola. The run begins at an altitude of 2150ft and descends over a 3km course to the base car park. Located near Fort William, it is Britain's biggest downhill run and only national and international race location. Some sections are very steep and fierce and are only to be tackled by skilled riders with suitable machines.

In 2001 it will be open from mid-May until mid September daily from 11am to 3pm. Outside these months it is available by special arrangement and outwith the set times the trails are open to walkers.

In addition to the main run, there are 25 miles of way-marked routes to be explored, graded from easy to expert. These run through Leanachan Forest which is situated on the lower slopes of Aonach Mor, and are graded for all abilities. Most of the cycling in this area has an outstanding backdrop and panoramic views of the Nevis Range, the Aonachs, and the Grey Corries.

The routes here form a mixture of rolling forest tracks, disused former narrow gauge railway lines and purpose-built technical single tracks. There is also the Trailquest route permanently set up, which will be open from spring 2001.

The 2001 prices to use the track with gondola access will be: Single-trip - £9.25 and £6.65 (youth rate); and multi-trip/one day - £15 and £12 (youth). The youth rate covers young people aged 12 to 17 years. The fees contribute to track-maintenance, safety cover, and gondola access. The Nevis Range base station offers an ideal starting point for all of the routes. There is a large free car park, toilets and a caf.

West Island Way

Bute has become the first Scottish island to have a long distance trail with the launch of the 26-mile long West Island Way. Formally opened by Janet Street-Porter, it connects existing paths developed by the Bute Tourism Marketing Programme. For details call 01700 502151.

Clova climbers' bar re-opens

The climbers bar at the popular Clova Hotel in Glen Clova has now reopened (at weekends only for the moment) and is more spacious than before, even if it has lost some of its old character in favour of a brighter image. The whole hotel, which was recently taken over by new owners, is on line to be opened prior to the new year - by Christmas if they can manage. Other plans for the near future include the conversion of a field into a camping ground and the conversion of one of the outbuildings to a bunkhouse which has received planning consent from Angus Council. But these additions are likely to be well into 2001. Steve Page

Rannoch rest-stop for sale

One of Scotland's most remote cafes has gone on the market. The Rannoch Station Tearoom, which has long been popular with walkers exploring Rannoch Moor, is up for sale along with an adjacent house. The business is housed within the Rannoch Station building, on the scenic West Highland Railway and is accessible either by train, or the long drive in from Kinloch Rannoch. Selling agents are CDK Finlayson Hughes - www.ckdfh.co.uk AmentaNews

Glentress All Ability Walk

A purpose-built walk around the ponds of Glentress, near Peebles, has been opened. The solid surface means the route is suitable for all abilities and can be enjoyed by people in wheelchairs or with baby buggies. Seats, benches and picnic spots are located along the way. For more details call 01750 721120.

Climbers die in Angus avalanche

A major search in Glen Doll on Monday, January 22, ended in tragedy with the discovery of two bodies at the foot of a treacherous gully. The bodies, found in Corrie Fee, are those of two missing climbers who had been the subject of a search which was begun on Sunday and resumed on a larger scale at dawn. The two men, both in their 30s, have been named as John Cox, St Edmund Place, and Denis Curran, Invergowrie Drive, both Dundee. Identification took place once the bodies had been recovered from the glen. The recovery had to be carried out on foot as the weather prevented a helicopter lifting the bodies from the scene. The men had failed to return to their vehicle in the car park at Glen Doll, 15 miles north of Kirriemuir, on Sunday. A search, involving Tayside Police and the civilian Tayside mountain rescue teams, was launched. They searched the Winter Corrie area of Glen Doll until around midnight, before coming off the hills. The scaled-up search resumed at 8am in appalling conditions. The rescuers were forced to battle driving rain and gale force winds. RAF Leuchars mountain rescue team joined the effort on Monday and it was personnel from that unit who found the bodies. The bodies were found in B Gully and the indications are that the two climbers were swept to their deaths by an avalanche. The RAF personnel who located the men said there was clear evidence of avalanche disturbance. The two men appeared to have been well equipped and at least one was carrying an ice axe, and they were also roped together. The exact spot where they were found was only a short distance from where English doctor Philip Lakelin fell to his death on December 27. In another incident, only last week, a man had a lucky escape in the same area. Out walking his dogs between Glen Doll and Glen Prosen, he became disorientated as darkness fell. Using his mobile phone, he alerted to his wife to his predicament and was located by search teams. Tayside Police Inspector Nick Hull said it served as a serious reminder of how potentially dangerous the Angus glens were.

The lack of definite information and precise location [on Sunday night] made it very difficult for us to make a full search. Today, we were able to expand the search, with Winter Corrie again featured initially, as well as the other areas. The two men were found relatively quickly by the RAF team and the indications certainly are that there had been an avalanche."

The avalanche risk in the Glen Doll area was described by Inspector Hull as very high, with fresh snow on a frozen base and very changeable conditions.

"By this morning, the conditions had deteriorated even further. The driving snow had changed to driving hail and the wind made conditions very difficult, with a chill factor well below freezing."

Inspector Hull said the three incidents in the Glen Doll area in recent weeks - now tragically resulting in three fatalities - were a clear illustration of the whole range of dangers that walkers and more experienced climbers could encounter. He added: "What has happened is a snapshot of the types of situations that people find themselves in and of the variable conditions. It has been said often, but it still needs to be said as a general comment, that if people are going out, then they should let others know where they are going, how long they are going to be and have a route card.

"The importance, even for experts, of making a proper assessment of the conditions cannot be overstressed and quite clearly if in any doubt then do not go into the hills."

The tragedy followed a busy weekend for rescue teams on the Scottish mountains. A father and son were swept 300ft down a mountain by a slab avalanche in Glencoe on Sunday. Police said Peter Walter Clark, 46, and his son, Peter Martin Clark, 28, both from Nottingham, were lucky to escape with minor injuries. The two men were said to be in a comfortable condition in hospital after the incident near the top of Coire Na Tulaich, Buachaille Etive Mor, Lochaber.

In a separate incident, an Aberdeen hillwalker was carried up to 200m when poor visibility led to him accidentally setting off a snow fall on Sunday afternoon. He was walking with his companion in the Corrie Fionn area of the Eastern Cairngorms when poor visibility caused him to get into difficulties. The man stepped off a cornice or platform of snow, then tumbled to a slope below - where his weight triggered an avalanche. He escaped with minor injuries and was able to send a text message via his mobile phone to his friend, who had already contacted the emergency services.

Constable Jim Wood, the leader of Grampian Police and Braemar mountain rescue teams, said the man was extremely lucky that he was carried above the snow. Rescuers found the man 40 minutes after the alarm was raised. But they then had to search for his companion who had also become disorientated in the poor light and 55-mile-an-hour winds. He was found safe and well less than an hour later.

Mountain safety expert Malcolm Duckworth said climbers should not be deterred from taking to the mountains throughout the winter but stressed that enthusiasts should be well prepared. He said: "Look very carefully at your own skills and abilities, make an evaluation of your personal competence and set that against what that environment has to offer. It you feel in any way that you can't match up to the difficult weather you're going to meet, do something else for that day."

Squatters ordered to leave remote bothy

A homeless pair of Cambridge graduates who have squatted with their livestock in a remote Far North bothy have been given a month to get out. Robbie Northway (35) and his wife Ann, a former music teacher, took possession of the former shepherd's cottage at Strathan, near Sandwood Bay in north Sutherland, in September. They have lived there since without electricity, running water or toilet facilities. The couple were originally ordered to leave in October when they were served a removal notice on behalf of the estate's owners, the Scottish Executive. However, they announced they had no intention of going. When they appealed the notice they were given time to prepare a defence by Sheriff Ian Cameron. However, at Dornoch Sheriff Court on January 8, the sheriff found the couple had no case to oppose the order, as they had no title to the property, once the permanent residence of an estate shepherd and his family, and used by visiting shepherds as temporary accommodation within the past generation. The cottage, which is on the Keodale Estate, is maintained for use by hillwalkers by the Mountain Bothies Association (MBA). A notice to quit has been delivered by sheriff officers who had to tramp four miles on foot over one of Scotland's roughest paths. The couple occupied the bothy with nine dogs, 20 geese and a horse, although they claimed they only had one dog and a Shetland Pony. Their presence prompted complaints from crofting tenants in respect of the potential danger the dogs posed to their sheep. Keodale Estate was bought by the former Scottish Agricultural Department in 1921. The Scottish Executive lease it out on a permanent basis to the Keodale Sheepstock Club, owned by Durness crofters. The MBA has advised its members to avoid the bothy in the meantime.