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Meet the instructors

Our basic philosophy is to improve safety through the delivery of top quality, professionally delivered and affordable skills courses.

All our courses are designed to encourage participants to become better informed and skilled to operate safely and efficiently in the Scottish Mountains. The mountain safety programme is organised by our Mountain Safety team, alongside whom work a team of highly qualified, experienced professionals in the outdoors. We always welcome feedback and look for ways of improving our work. If you have any ideas/comments please contact info@mountaineering.scot.

Meet our team:

Ross Cadie (Winter Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor, Mountain Snowsports Leader)

Which three words best describe what the mountains mean to you
Freedom
Challenge
Adventure

What’s your favourite mountain and why?

Buachaille Etive Mor because it’s not too far from my house and has everything you need for mountain adventures.  Plus, it looks amazing!

Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter?

Definitely winter

If you were in the process of losing your rucksack in some freak accident but had the chance to save one item, what would you save?

Depends where I was and I should probably say something like my map or compass, but I’d probably save my lunch!

Most memorable trip abroad for mountains?

Bugaboos in BC, Canada

Why do you enjoy teaching in the mountains?

For that look on peoples faces when they start to realise that they can do stuff for themselves- sharing in their journey to becoming an independent mountain adventurer.  Just brilliant.

Ben Gibson (Winter Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor)

Which three words best describe what the mountains mean to you?
Wild
Adventures
Fun

What’s your favourite mountain and why?
Not so much 1 mountain but a range, which has to be the Cuillins.  They are so unique to Scotland and there is nowhere else similar in the UK.

Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter?
Winter

If you were in the process of loosing your rucksack in some freak accident but had the chance to save one item, what would you save?
Map

Most memorable trip abroad for mountains?
Lofoten Islands, Norway

Why do you enjoy teaching in the mountains?
I really enjoy being in the mountains with others, sharing in the adventures and helping to inspire people to develop their skills, knowledge and gain the confidence they want to go have their own adventures and enjoy wild places.

Favourite sandwich/food for a day out in the mountains?
Peanut butter and Jam wrap
Humus, cheese and apple wrap

Most challenging/difficult mountain experience?
A 14 hour winter day in February 2010 doing the Cairngorm 4000ers, when all I had left to eat was half a pack of salted peanuts and my friend and I were still 10km away from the car at 8pm!!!

Kirsty Pallas (Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor, Winter Mountain Leader)

Which three words best describe what the mountains mean to you?
Space, freedom & shared experiences (sorry!)

What’s your favourite mountain and why?
A bit cliché, but the Buachaille has it all. I did some my first scramble and first multipitch there, plus have had the joy of introducing others to the mountains on it. The view (where the is one!) is just breathtaking.

Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter?
Spring I think. Usually had my fill of winter and looking forward to dry rock and a lighter rucksack. Plus bluebells are my favourite!

If you were in the process of losing your rucksack in some freak accident but had the chance to save one item, what would you save?
My cosiest layer

Most memorable trip abroad for mountains?
Atlas Mountains in Morocco

Why do you enjoy teaching in the mountains?
I love sharing the joy I get from the mountains with others, and being able to facilitate people becoming independent mountaineers so they no longer need me. I couldn’t imagine a different way of life, and I want everyone to be able to experience that too!

Mountaineering Scotland also use a wide variety of associate instructors to assist the core team with delivering the Mountain Safety Courses.  These instructors will be qualified to the appropriate level for the terrain and conditions outlined by Mountain Training and come with a high level of skill and enthusiasm for teaching in the mountains and hills.  Many will have a background of working with the National Centre or volunteering with a Mountain Rescue team which gives them a great knowledge base for you to learn from.

Richard Bentley

Richard Bentley (WMCI)

Richard is based in Fort William and runs his own outdoor business Mountain Motion.

Richard is probably most well-known for his winter climbing expertise on Ben Nevis, but equally has many years of experience enjoying the Scottish Hills. Richard is the course director for our Summer Mountain Leader Training Award and a regular contributor on our winter lecture series.