Saturday 18th November 2023, 9:31am
The 2023 Mountaineering Scotland AGM & Members Gathering took place last Saturday (11th November) at Birnam Arts, near Dunkeld.
The morning began with a presentation of the 2023 Annual Report, followed by official AGM business. This included the fixing of members’ annual subscriptions, the adoption of an ED&I policy and confirmation of new several new Board members, as well as the appointment of new Mountaineering Scotland President, Anne Butler.
Stuart Younie, CEO of Mountaineering Scotland said: “I’m absolutely delighted that members have voted to approve the appointment of Anne Butler as the first female President of Mountaineering Scotland.”
“Anne’s achievements in the hillwalking community are second to none and she continues to be an inspiration for both new and seasoned hill baggers alike. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge gained over many years traveling and walking all over Scotland and I look forward to working with her to promote the work we do at Mountaineering Scotland to a wider and more diverse audience.”
Anne takes over from Brian Shackleton, who stepped down as President after Saturday's AGM. Stuart added: “I would like to thank Brian personally for the wise counsel, support and guidance he has provided to myself and the rest of the Mountaineering Scotland team over the last four years. His leadership of the Board helped steer the organisation though the difficulties of the pandemic to a strong recovery with our highest ever membership.”
New Directors were confirmed for ClimbScotland and Mountain Safety. Stuart said: “Thanks also to our outgoing Director for ClimbScotland, Lucy Fraser, and Nigel Clark, outgoing Director for Mountain Safety, for the huge contribution they have both made to the organisation during their time on the Board. We are delighted to welcome Hugo Allan, who will take over from Lucy and Brendan Hughes, who will take over from Nigel.”
Two Honorary Memberships were also awarded to Dave Gordon, for services to Access, Conservation and the Environment, and Scott Forsyth, for services to ClimbScotland and competition climbing.
After a short break, we heard from Mountaineering Scotland’s Access & Conservation Officer, Davie Black, whose Access & Environment updates included the new Manifesto for the Mountains – an update to 2016’s Respecting Scotland’s Mountains – as well as ongoing issues such as the Shared Rural Network (SRN).
Mountaineering Scotland’s CEO, Stuart Younie, also gave an update on It’s Up to Us, our joint campaign with the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland to save upland mountain paths.
Members then enjoyed talks from our three key speakers: Retired Planner and SMC Huts Convener, Bob Reid, Mike Daniels of the John Muir Trust, and Director for the Centre of Mountain Studies at UHI, Dr Ros Bryce. A short panel followed with members having the chance to ask the three speakers and Access & Conservation Officer, Davie Black, a number of questions.
Afterwards, an optional lunch, followed by a guided walk up Birnam Hill with Davie Black, was the perfect way to end the 2023 Mountaineering Scotland AGM & Members Gathering.
Thank you to all of our members who made it along on the day, and to those who also joined us online. We look forward to seeing you all again next year!
© 04/0 Mountaineering Scotland
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
