What would dom do?

The simple answer is NO.

A more complex answer would be: Travel within Scotland is still restricted to within local communities (suggested c. 5miles) or further to meet close family members outside.

Whilst technically the Scottish lockdown relaxation "rules" are not law, last weekend 2 people who had travelled 60 miles to climb a mountain found themselves needing to call mountain rescue and were met by the police at the bottom and charged with the Scottish Common Law offence of "Reckless Endangerment" (which is as close as we get to Rule 1 being in law!).

Even if you are convinced you should exert your right to free movement as a principle, please don't go the Ben. The number of Covid cases in the NW Highlands is thankfully low. The local infrastructure isn't ready for visitors, and nobody can guarantee they aren't carrying the virus.

No, it's not. Advice in Scotland is different to England & Wales.

Measures that will come into force in Phase 1 include:

• From tomorrow (29 May), one household can now meet up with another outdoors. This can be in one household’s garden, but physical distancing is still required. It is expected households will only meet one other household within the same day and up to a recommended maximum of eight people in the overall group.

• From tomorrow (29 May), public outdoor spaces can now be used for recreational purposes, for example to sit in a park, sunbathe or have a picnic. People should not share food and drink between households and should avoid using shared facilities, such as bathrooms. If eating, each household should bring their own food separately and avoid sharing utensils, dishes or cups and use a hand sanitiser before eating. Physical distancing between households should be maintained at all times.

• From tomorrow (29 May), you can now travel short distances for outdoor leisure and exercise but should remain in your local area, suggested to be five miles from your house, although we ask people to use their judgement. People are encouraged to walk, wheel or cycle where possible.

• From Monday (1 June), staff can return to schools subject to risk assessments and appropriate physical distancing and hygiene measures being in place to support this. This is to plan and prepare for the new blended model of learning to be implemented from 11 August.

• From Wednesday (3 June), child minding services and fully outdoor nursery provision will be available, although capacity will be limited. Both measures will be subject to increased hygiene measures, small group working and physical distancing of adults.

• From tomorrow (29 May), most outdoor workplaces to resume with physical distancing measures in place once guidance is agreed, including horticulture, landscaping and garden centres, forestry and environmental management. Associated cafes should not reopen at this stage except for take-away and physical distancing measures should be followed.

• From tomorrow (29 May), the construction sector is expected to be able to implement the first phase in its restart plan. A move to ‘phase 2’ of the construction sector’s plan will follow consultation with government to ensure it is safe to do so in line with public health advice.

• From tomorrow (29 May), food outlets, restaurants and cafes are able to provide delivery, take-away and drive-through food options in line with guidance and complying and safe physical distancing measures.

• From tomorrow (29 May), unrestricted outdoor exercise and some non-contact outdoor activities within the local area – such as golf, outdoor tennis and angling – can resume provided physical distancing is followed. It does not mean that taking part will always be safe. You should use judgement and take part only if you can do so safely, maintaining physical distancing and not putting yourself or others at risk.

• From Monday (1 June) Household Waste Recycling Centres to begin to reopen. Sites must operate safely, ensuring physical distancing is maintained, and should only be visited when absolutely necessary to minimise journeys.

Oh and if they want to start planning - that trip will not be "allowed" until Scotland enters phase 3. The working hypothesis seems to be that unless things go bad we will be in Phase 3 for the Scottish schools returning on 11th August. The review process seems to be a three week cycle (but it could in theory run faster). There is no promise (or even a strong hint) that we will more from one phase to the next at every review, however that puts the most likely best date to move forward from Phase 1 to 2 at - ~18th June, and earliest we could hit Phase 3 as ~9th July. Its likely that the highlands will be very busy then if things do reopen - and if I really wanted to climb the Ben this year I would be waiting till the schools go back on 11th August.

The weather forecast for this weekend is also pretty shit - including snow on the mountains.

https://www.mwis.org.uk/forecasts/scottish/west-highlands

Where do they plan on staying?

I'd guess that they don't plan and this is a plant and run post.

So many words, when "bolt ya rocket!" would suffice. 😆

onehundredthidiot

I’d guess that they don’t plan and this is a plant and run post.

Plant and run, hmm that's a new one on me.

They are 21 and invincible, listen to no-one, especially not parents. I was looking for (and got, thank you poly, Dave and Scotroutes) evidence that this would be a bad idea.

They are also inteligent, fairly responsible and most likely to do the right thing if they think they have made the decision and not been "Told" what to do.

As for Plan, I believe they intended on sleeping in the car but that's about as far as it got.

As for Plan, I believe they intended on sleeping in the car but that’s about as far as it got.

That would not even be allowed in England under the updated guidelines/ rules ( ? ) - Loads of folks getting fined in the Lake District for attempting to overnight when the regulations say any trips MUST be day trips with a return home and NO overnight stays

So many words, when “bolt ya rocket!” would suffice.

I haven't heard that in ages, brilliant phrase.

If these folk got charged with reckless endangerment for a 60mile trip I'd imagine 400 miles would entitle you to the full wicker man treatment.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-52892409

I'm in the odd position of living in England / working in Scotland. Lockdown is still a lot more strict in Scotland and just generally driving through the country they could be asked to state their business. I need to keep a letter to show key worker status and stuff like that when I'm travelling up there.

Lochaber mountain rescue: ( the team for the Ben)

Although the Lochaber hills are looking beautiful and inviting at present, we as a team would not be responsible if we failed to point out that, at this time of national emergency, our ability to respond to incidents may be curtailed by circumstances created by #Covid19.

Hillgoers should consider what extra pressures a single accident may put upon already stretched local hospital services. Normal service in terms of recovery and transfer cannot be guaranteed.

As much as it pains us, as hillgoers ourselves, the best thing folk could do is stay at home at this time. Support your local community. Please do not put extra stress on our small and already fragile healthcare infrastructure.

The hills will still be here next winter and hopefully later in the summer adventure can be had.
Stay safe.

BT

Secretary LMRT & local Consultant Physician

~So please ask them not to do it.

We are in this phase at the moment

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-framework-decision-making-scotlands-route-map-through-out-crisis-phase-1-update/

So its Stay Home Save Lives. Ben Nevis has been around for a while and it'll be here for a while longer. Leave it for now and come in better days.

Or bolt ya rocket +1😁

Dear oh dear.

Is looking at restrictions in Scotland too difficult?

The working hypothesis seems to be that unless things go bad we will be in Phase 3 for the Scottish schools returning on 11th August.

Which curiously would be the day before the grouse shooting is due to start.