Mountaineers welcomed to Holyrood

The work of Scottish Mountain Rescue (SMR) and Mountaineering Scotland was celebrated at a Scottish Parliamentary reception at Holyrood last week, hosted by enthusiastic mountaineer Liz Smith MSP.

Liz Smith also submitted a motion in Parliament recognising and praising the contribution of mountaineering activities and mountain rescue services to the nation's economy and well-being, which received the cross-party backing of 36 MSPs.

Over 100 people attended the evening reception, including MSPs from across the political spectrum, Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers, and a wide range of clubs and partner organisations from within Scotland's mountaineering community. Guests included representatives from sportscotland, Glenmore Lodge, and Mountain Training Scotland.

Speakers including Liz Smith, a Munroist herself, and Cabinet Secretary for Justice Michael Matheson, a former mountain rescue team member. Representatives of both SMR and Mountaineering Scotland shared their perspectives on the vital work done by Scotland's voluntary mountain rescue teams, as well as the importance of raising awareness of mountain safety and improving the skills of the growing number of hill walkers and climbers enjoying Scotland's mountains each year.