An ironing board abandoned at the top of Ben Nevis has angered hillwalkers.
It is not uncommon for household items to be carried to the top of the UK’s highest mountain as part of fundraising efforts for charities. In April, a former soldier made it to the top of the 1,345m peak with a fridge on his back. Other strange items reportedly left on Ben Nevis include a church organ, a toilet seat and a 3ft garden gnome.
It is believed those responsible may have been doing “extreme ironing”.
BBC Highlands and Islands
(Steve Morley)
Ewe’re not alone
A ewe dubbed Britain’s loneliest sheep has been rescued from a remote shore in the Highlands.
The sheep, now named Fiona, had been stranded at the foot of the cliffs on the Cromarty Firth for at least two years.
Aberdeen Press and Journal
(Ron Grant)
[See also: The Booker Prize is becoming irrelevant]
Pups à la mode
Pink is the trendiest new name for dogs this year, with Barbie close behind.
As Greta Gerwig’s movie starring Margot Robbie broke box-office records, Barbie fans fuelled a 15-fold increase in pooches being called Pink.
Mutts being named Freddo, like the frog -shaped chocolate bar, were the second-hottest trend, followed by Barbie.
Unique names handed to hounds in 2023 included Albus Dumblepaws, Bark-a-Lot, Billy Boo Boo, Chugsley Chugglesworth and King Arthur Slobbergob.
Canine behaviourist Adem Fehmi said: “While it’s wonderful to see pet parents… thinking outside the box… remember – you’re the one that has to be comfortable shouting this across the park.”
Daily Mirror
(Amanda Welles)
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[See also: A blunderer in high office]
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This article appears in the 22 Nov 2023 issue of the New Statesman, The paranoid style