Scottish Nationalists criticised over 'insane' stunt to form human chain to the peak of Ben Nevis

Scottish Nationalists have been criticised by experts and environmentalists over a stunt to form a human chain to the peak of Ben Nevis.

Supporters of Scottish independence are proposing to form a human chain of 9,000 people scaling the UK's highest mountain.

The planned event is part of a rally to highlight support for Scottish independence.

However, the environmental group that looks after the area has raised concerns over the "many logistical and environmental challenges" that the massive chain will presents.

"The numbers they are talking about presents, logistical, environmental and safety challenges," said a spokeswoman for Nevis Landscape Partnership said.

"We deal with a lot of organisations in planning their event but nothing on this scale. It would be a lot of people on Ben Nevis at one time."

There are also major safety concerns due to extreme weather conditions on the peak.

Even though the event is scheduled for August, Ben Nevis can be a hostile environment throughout the year.

The Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team says the majority of its rescues every year occur on Ben Nevis.

It's advice to climbers is: "Climbing Ben Nevis involves risk at any time of year and by any route, including the Mountain Path. 

"The Ben Nevis summit plateau requires careful navigation in poor visibility."

Following the announcement of the challenge on Facebook, critics labelled the proposal "scary" and "insane".

Jonathan Appleby wrote: "I've worked as a guide on Nevis, and I've seen some treacherous weather conditions, even in summer. Your proposal scares me."

"Have you actually been up a mountain in Scotland ? This is insane. Good luck to the mountain rescue," James O'neill added.

John Tannock of Kilmaurs, East Ayrshire, is hosting the event, which has already amassed the support of more than 2,700 people.

"Our plan for this event is to have a human chain in support of Scottish independence from the bottom to the top of the UK's highest mountain, Ben Nevis," he wrote.

"To make this challenge happen we will need 9000 supporters of Scottish Indy to participate in what would be one of the best scenes ever witnessed in our country!

"As for the traffic congestion, there have been bigger events than this at Fort William in the past but we will be reducing traffic by encouraging people to take the train or go by coach."

Advice to climbers on Ben-Nevis.com says inexperienced people attempting it risk death.

"The weather can also change from clear and sunny to heavy rain and driving winds with almost zero visibility within minutes and almost without warning. Even the most experienced climbers and walkers have been caught out," it says.

"Ben Nevis without adequate protection, including waterproofs and warm clothing, could result in hypothermia and possibly death.

"The route to the summit marker also passes within a few feet of the precipitous cliffs and 2,000 foot drop of the North Face. Even in mid-summer snow is often corniced and overhanging the clefts of the cliffs, meaning that the unwary could find themselves standing on nothing more than unstable snow hanging over nothing but air."