Mountaineering Scotland is a membership organisation with over 16,000 members including 140 clubs, is the only recognised representative organisation for hill walkers, climbers, mountaineers and ski-tourers who live in Scotland or who enjoy Scotland’s mountains, and acts to represent, support and promote Scottish mountaineering.
Mountaineering Scotland also acts on behalf of the 80,000 members of the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) on matters related to landscape and access in Scotland, and provides training and information to mountain users to promote safety, self-reliance and the enjoyment of our mountain environment. We deliver the ClimbScotland initiative which is funded by sportscotland and supports the development of indoor and outdoor climbing for children and young people including our performance and competition programmes.
Three of our current directors are stepping down at the next annual general meeting (AGM) on 23 November 2024 and we are interested to hear from individual members or members of clubs who may be interested in learning more about these important voluntary roles:
Joining the board of Mountaineering Scotland offers potential for the development of new and existing skills, meeting new people, developing new networks and making a genuine difference to mountaineering in Scotland.
Mountaineering Scotland is committed to being an employer and a volunteer organisation that recognises and encourages equal opportunities, diversity, inclusion and respect in the workforce, with employment conditions and practices that ensure all staff and volunteers are treated equitably. We particularly welcome applications from those who are significantly underrepresented in our sector, such as women, people with disabilities (including hidden disabilities) and individuals from Black and Minority ethnic communities.
The role descriptions (see below) should be read in conjunction with the directors’ competencies and person specification which you can download from the link below. We ask candidates who wish to put their name forward to provide a brief summary of their experience in an organisational context and their interests in mountaineering / outdoor / sporting activities, together with a personal statement as to how they feel they would contribute to the work of Mountaineering Scotland and the associated trusts.
The board will be undertaking a selection process to identify a preferred candidate for nomination at the AGM on 23 November 2024 and is inviting expressions of interest which should be submitted by close of business on 20 September 2025 by email to info@mountaineering.scot
Members who wish to stand for election independently must nominate themselves in accordance with the Articles of Association by 14 September 2024.
If you are interested in any of the opportunities below, please email your contact details to info@mountaineering.scot to arrange an informal discussion.
Clubs account for 50% of our membership and are a huge asset and voice within the Mountaineering Scotland community. The Director for Clubs leads on working with Clubs and ensuring positive dialogue exists between the organisation and the Clubs we represent. Support for Clubs covers a broad range of strategic and tactical areas, which vary from Club to Club. The Director promotes Mountaineering Scotland in a positive light and is looking to improve and strengthen the work we do to support the Club community and Club Huts network.
This is a great opportunity for someone who may have experience of working with membership groups and participation, which may be combined with a personal passion for mountaineering or outdoor activities.
The Role:
Working with our staff and volunteers, the Director of Clubs will be responsible to working with our Club community and Club Huts network to listen to, and support their needs across a diverse range of topics.
As a significant part of the membership of the organisation, the Director for Clubs will work closely with the Membership and Communications team and the Director for Membership and Communications to deliver our strategic aims.
The Director will report to the Board on relevant matters impacting Clubs, their membership and the issues which are most important to them, either individually or collectively
The Director for Finance /Treasurer is responsible for the strategic oversight of financial matters relating to the company, and for additional responsibilities relating to Trusts associated with Mountaineering Scotland. This is a great opportunity for someone with appropriate experience in financial matters, combined with a passion for mountaineering or outdoor activities.
The Role
The Treasurer is a director of the company and specifically responsible for the strategic oversight of financial matters, and for additional responsibilities relating to certain Trusts associated with the Mountaineering Scotland
The post holder will report to the Board on matters relating to the company’s financial planning and performance, including chairing the Finance Advisory Group, and reporting on financial matters to the membership at the AGM.
In addition, together with fellow directors, they will provide input to the strategic and annual plans, budgets and the annual report.
In respect of Trusts, they will be responsible to fellow trustees for attendance at meetings and associated correspondence; and for the execution of their duties as required by the relevant trust deeds.
Working within the context of Mountaineering Scotland’s Manifesto for the Mountains and associated policies, the Director for Landscape & Planning leads on our work to safeguard Scotland’s mountains from adverse development and promoting a positive vision of a high quality future for mountain areas.
The work includes monitoring and responding to policy developments, and responding to planning proposals in accordance with criteria approved by the Board.
This is a great opportunity for someone who may have some experience of the planning process and/ or is interested in the value of Scotland's mountain landscapes, combined with a personal passion for mountaineering or outdoor activities.
The Role:
To work closely with the Director for Access and Environment to deliver the vision in the Manifesto for the Mountains and review position statements and policies where necessary.
Working with our staff and other volunteers, the Director for Landscape & Planning will lead on our work to safeguard Scotland’s mountains from adverse development and promoting a positive vision of a high quality future for mountain areas.
To support the Member Services and Communications team to facilitate engagement with members and gain an understanding of their view on landscape issues.
The Director will report to the Board on relevant matters, including the visual impact of planning proposals, significant individual applications, policy developments affecting National Parks and other mountain areas, planning guidance consultations, Scottish Planning Policy and Local Development Plans.
Take a look around our website to discover more about the services we offer members and clubs, our campaigns and the activities we represent. Here are some specific pages you might like to check out too:
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ClimbScotland is a registered trademark of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland Limited
Mountaineering Scotland is a registered trademark of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland Limited
