Thursday 1st May 2025, 2:13pm
At the end of each month, we take a look back at the work the team has been carrying out on behalf of our members. Read on to hear the latest updates from our CEO and our Access & Conservation, Mountain Safety, ClimbScotland and Member Services & Communications teams...
Our CEO Stuart Younie started April on the 1st of the month attending a days CDP as part of the sportscotland inclusive leadership programme "Leading Together" which has brought together a cohort of senior leaders from the SGB and local authority sector. It's been an interesting programme challenging thinking about inclusion in the workplace and in a wider context in relation to membership. A run up north to Dundonnell followed at the start of the following week to meet up with the BBC Scotland Landward team who are highlighting the "Its Up to Us" campaign as their main feature due to be broadcast on Thurs 1st of May. The weather was perfect, and the team were keen to get to the top of the first Munro summit whilst talking about the campaign with Stuart along the way and stopping to talk to the team from Cairngorm Wilderness contracts to highlight the work they have been doing to restore the path. After some time off over the Easter holidays, Stuart caught up with John Hutchison from the SMT last week to share updates on both organisations and discuss the next steps for "Its Up to Us" followed by a meeting with Stan Pearson (Chair) and colleagues from the SMC to discuss club insurance cover with Mike Farrell from Howdens. Over last weekend he managed to pop into Ratho to enjoy some of the SBC youth finals on Sunday afternoon and all the feedback has been very positive about the event, the first on the new boulders. Over the last few days Stuart has been reviewing the applications for the Access and Environment vacancy and we hope to be announcing a new member of the team in the near future.
With the April sunshine came the start of the summer courses. I started on home turf and joined by Kirsty, we kicked off the one-day navigation courses in the Arrochar Alps, using the local mountain rescue post as a starting base for the courses (thank you ??).
With the Mountain Safety team working part time and usually independently of the full team, it was a real pleasure to get a chance to get us all together in-person. After a quick rock-climb on a local crag (it would have been rude not to!), we sat down and reviewed all the winter courses. Thanks to everyone who attended a course and also to those that gave feedback. We certainly enjoy meeting so many members and sharing our passion. We will work on the feedback and hopefully make next winter even more awesome!
At the end of April, Max and I were out on the hills for some more navigation courses in the Pentlands overlooking Edinburgh. When the weather is good, this time of year is fantastic for hitting the hills with longer days, drier weather and, best of all, no midge!
The start of April marks the beginning of club membership renewals for our 140 affiliated clubs, along with an increase in membership fees from 1 April for all membership categories. This year, individual members have an added benefit of Personal Accident Insurance included in their membership providing cover up to £10,000, alongside the combined liability insurance that covers all registered members. Club members will be consulted on whether to add Personal Accident Insurance as part of club membership later this year. Read more about our members’ insurance offering in the Member Benefits section of our website.
Three staff members – Max (Mountain Safety), Heather (ClimbScotland) and Megan (Communications Officer) attended Media and Presentation Skills Training with Colin from Comsteria this month, with the aim of giving them the skills and confidence to prepare and take part in media interviews as well as appearances in videos and podcasts.
Megan has also been busy finalising the content for the May issue of Scottish Mountaineer, which is now in production and should be with members in late May.
And finally, we welcomed new Membership Admin Officer Charmaine Duthie to the team. Charmaine is a keen outdoor enthusiast and has had a long involvement in the Scouts, and will be the person at the end of the phone and email to answer all your membership enquiries.
April has been all hands-on deck for the ClimbScotland team with activity happening indoors and out throughout the month. We kicked April off with a great April fools, which even had an official webpage made for it! Who fell for it????
The Development and National Squad had their weekend Torridon Bouldering Introducing climbers to suitable outdoor bouldering Coaching session on huge variety of blocs around Torridon. Robert, who was supporting the session reported that the weather was amazing and everyone in attendance had a great time over the 2 days and came away buzzing! The National Squad were also in attendance at a national training event, along with squads from England and Ireland, held at Boulder UK, our Talent Development Officer Jack Davis was in attendance, supporting Scottish athletes who attended.
On the 26-27 April, the team delivered the Scottish Boulder Championships at EICA. 225 competitors enter the two-day event and for the first time, included a senior category. It was great to have some of our key partners, including Urban Uprising and Climbers Against Cancer in attendance promoting the amazing work they do and raising money. Massive thank you to all who came, took part, supported and cheered on the competitors. Special thanks to Serious Climbing for the podium prizes, EICA for hosting and last but not least, Lucy and the setting team who created some amazing blocs in the lead up to, and over the course of the weekend for the comp.
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