Great day in Glen More

Glenmore Lodge was buzzing for last month’s Mountaineering Scotland AGM and Members’ Meeting.

More than 60 members attended, along with 17 staff and directors, and enjoyed several sessions reviewing the past year and looking ahead to future progress and developments. Clubs were particularly well represented within the gathering, with 42 club members attending.

It was encouraging that the new format seemed to be attracting members who don’t normally attend AGMs: not only was it by far the best attended meeting in many years, but three-quarters of those attending had never been at a Mountaineering Scotland AGM before.

During the business section of the meeting there were two important votes taken.

A motion to add £2 to membership subscriptions to incorporate personal accident insurance as part of the membership package received 284 votes for and 351 against, so will not proceed.

There was also a contested election for a new Director for Access & Conservation, the vacancy arising following the resignation of Chris Todd. The Mountaineering Scotland Board had nominated Ron Neville, and former CEO David Gibson was nominated on behalf of the Grampian Club.

Both candidates were given the opportunity to address members before a vote was taken, which resulted in Ron Neville being elected as the new Director, with 276 votes against David Gibson’s 199.

Full draft minutes of the AGM will be published within the next two weeks.

After a fine lunch at Glenmore Lodge 60 members attended our afternoon workshops, which were a much loved part of the whole event. There were top tips for winter navigation, and an advanced navigation session out on Windy Ridge of Cairngorm, as well as a session on avalanche awareness from an SAIS expert.

Some took to the gym for a practical session looking at physical preparation for winter to avoid injury and make the most of the short winter days, while others gathered at the climbing wall for a workshop on movement and technique to help them climb better.

There was a huts seminar, much appreciated by club members responsible for their club huts, and, outside again, Access & Conservation Officer Davie Black led an entertaining and educational tour through the Glenmore pinewoods.

Feedback on the meeting from members has been 100 per cent positive, and will be used to shape next year’s event, which will take place at Glenmore Lodge at the same time of year. Suggestions have included more time for the discussion and Q&A session, workshop topics and even an evening ceilidh.