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For everyone who cares about Scotland’s hills and mountains

We know that Mountaineering Scotland members care passionately about Scotland’s hills, mountains, and crags, and have a deep appreciation of the beauty of the land. 

Walkers, climbers and snowsports tourers love Scotland’s mountains for their recreational challenges and natural beauty. Along with recreational benefits, our mountain landscapes also contribute significantly to Scotland’s environment, culture and economy.

The Manifesto for the Mountains is a new policy, explaining our key priorities and showing why our members value the hills and mountains of Scotland, along with the work we carry out to protect our landscapes and wildernesses. 


Why do we need a Manifesto for the Mountains? 

Manifesto for the Mountains is an evolution of the policies set out in Respecting Scotland’s Mountains, published in 2015, and reflecting Mountaineering Scotland’s work and approach around climate change, landuse and landscape, wildlife conservation, and access, including local communities - providing a context and guide for representing the views of our members in discussions on how the land is used and cared for.

In 2023, the draft Manifesto for the Mountains went out to consultation with members, our Board of Directors, and with other organisations who we work in partnership with, to ensure we were addressing the key concerns regarding outdoor recreation and environment.

We believe in the importance of balancing the differing interests with compromises and trade-offs where possible. This may not be easy or simple but must be within a context of care and respect for mountain landscapes, for future generations to enjoy and use, safely and responsibly. 

Our aims

In pursuing our aims, we will:

  • Safeguard and promote recreational access to Scotland’s hills, mountains, and crags for a range of abilities.
  • Promote and support access rights and responsibilities explained through the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
  • Understand and uphold our membership’s interests and priorities for the hills and mountains.
  • Support and promote climate change and biodiversity initiatives for mitigating or adapting to the effects of rapidly changing environmental conditions.
  • Work in partnership with others to manage and maintain public access while increasing the wild and natural qualities of land and water, supporting local community initiatives where they align with our members’ interests.
  • Scrutinise development proposals for environmental and community benefit and challenge those potentially damaging or degrading the experience of the hills and mountains.
  • Provide opportunities to acquire skills to be safe and self-reliant in Scotland’s hill and mountains.
  • Support the development of climbing in Scotland.

Read the Manifesto for the Mountains