Monday 30th March 2026, 9:00am
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...
Stuart started March with a series of meetings around membership and specifically how we can look to increase individual memberships within the indoor climbing and hillwalking communities and create a more bespoke value proposition. He met with Megan, Helen and Christina to discuss ideas for marketing and membership campaigns then had a catch up with Dan Middleton from the BMC to find out about their associate membership scheme for climbing walls. Later in the week the team were also joined by Director for Communications Andrew Walker to discuss the relationship between the ClimbScotland and Mountaineering Scotland brands and how they can be used most effectively to engage with the climbing community.
Stuart and Fiona also met with the new Director of Finance Phil Reynolds who will be co-opted onto the board following the recruitment process subject to his election by members at the AGM in Nov. Following a couple of days out of the office completing his outdoor first aid refresher with BASP in the middle of the month. Stuart attended to Association for British Climbing walls roadshow event at Eden Rock on the 19th and the GB Climbing Performance Advisory Group meeting on the 23rd. To finish off March on the 26th Stuart also led the biannual Mountaineering Scotland team meeting which took place at Firbush outdoor centre near Killin. With a team made up of many part time staff who work remotely these are valuable opportunities to get everyone together face to face to build and maintain interpersonal relationships and discuss our planning for the year ahead.
The end of March sees the end of our winter access arrangements in Glen Strathfarrar, with the summer access arrangements kicking off on Wednesday 1st April. You do not need to contact us at Mountaineering Scotland if you wish to take a vehicle up the glen during the summer season (1st April – 31st October) but please note the important conditions laid out here.
We are grateful to Culligran, Braulen and East Monar Estates who have kindly agreed to continue with the vehicle access arrangements for the 2026 summer season. This is following a successful 2025/26 winter season when there were no major issues, thanks to the efforts of our fantastic local volunteers who maintain the padlocks and the Granary office staff who manage the booking system.
Catriona continues to represent hillwalkers and climbers heading to Buachaille Etive Mòr on the Altnafeadh Parking Working Group. This group is working together to find a solution to the increasingly dangerous parking situation by the A82 at Altnafeadh, close to Lagangarbh. The group has agreed we need a review of the feasibility and likely costs of the various options that have been proposed so we are currently seeking funding to commission a report.
On the planning side of things, this month we submitted an objection to a proposed wind farm in Easter Ross. The application is for 13 turbines of up to 200m blade tip height on high moorland close to Carn Chuinneag, a relatively isolated Corbett with a distinctive twin tops. The majority of the development is within the designated Rhidorroch-Ben Dearg-Ben Wyvis Wild Land Area and if approved it would be a significant intrusion into an area that is currently turbine free.
Catriona also reviewed and commented on two proposals to restore native woodland to mountain landscapes; one in Glenfalloch, near Crianlarich and another in Glenaladale, near Glenfinnan. She was pleased to note that both schemes acknowledge recreational access and include no plans to use deer fencing, which can be a barrier to access as well as creating unnatural tree lines. You can read our planning and consultation responses in full here.
March kept delivering the great conditions we needed for all the winter mountain safety courses this year, which is always a huge relief (and looks set to continue on the high tops into April). The team wrapped up the last of our winter skills courses starting with the Student Winter Climbing weekend based out of Mill Cottage, and the last couple of the ever popular (and sold out) two day winter skills courses. As well as the Snowsports Touring weekend which also had some of the best snow cover we have had for several years. Not much rest for the team though, as Kirsty, Max, and Ross gear up for the start of the summer programme which kicks off with one day navigation courses. Malcolm (St John Scotland Mountain Safety Instructor) is also busy delivering to student clubs at their weekend meets and will also be transitioning to summer skills.
Ross also headed into the hills with Megan to film some content ahead of next winter with some expert friends in the industry.... stay tuned to our YouTube channel.
With such a good winter in the mountains, it is worth reminding ourselves that, although we are putting our clocks forward to British Summer Time and looking forward to dry rock and warm mountain views, winter hazards such as snow and ice on the ground and freezing temperatures will still be present. Go out…but go prepared!
A slightly less hectic month for the team, but busy nonetheless, as our series of online talks continued with ‘Women Outdoors: Health, Bodies and Belonging’ to mark International Women’s Day, with speakers Keri Wallace, Anna Fleming, Louise Flockhart and Anna Danby sharing their own experiences and tips for women in the outdoors. The event raised nearly £300 which will go to supporting three members of the Cholita Climbers to come to Scotland in 2027, so thanks to all that attended. The second talk of the month was by RSPB warden Ewan Craig, who shared a typical day in the life of a ranger in the Cairngorms. The final talk will be on 8 April with Dan Puplett, an expert in animal tracks and signs who will be sharing his knowledge on wildlife and what signs to look for when you’re in the mountains.
The team has been busy preparing for the start of the new ‘club year’ on 1 April, updating information and guidance for club committees to help them renew their affiliation and club memberships for the coming year. We’ll be holding an online training session on 1 April aimed at club committee members who process memberships – you can register here.
We work with many brand, retailers, accommodation providers and other suppliers to bring you a fantastic range of money saving offers and discounts on relevant products. Our team has been working with our partners to renew many of the offers, so you may see a few changes in how you can access these – full details of all the offers available to members are on the Mountaineering Scotland website here.
Firstly, March saw the Fun Climbing Competition Qualifiers come to a close with over 400 young people across Scotland taking part! Massive thanks to everyone involved including the 12 host walls from across Scotland.
From the qualifying rounds, 110 competitors qualified and were invited to the finals which took place at Edinburgh International Climbing Arena (EICA) on Saturday 28th March. There was a great buzz on the day of the final and we were joined by our partners from: CAC, Urban Uprising and Lost Shore in our Marketplace. Robert had some awesome challenges too at our ClimbScotland stand as well as info on our up coming RealRock sessions in 2026. Thanks to EICA for hosting and special thanks and shout out to our Competition Coordinators Neil Ross, Sophie Bosi and all the volunteers for ensuring the event ran smoothly.
Jack, Euan and our endorsed coaches delivered a Squad event at EICA on the weekend of 14-15 which focused on ‘Applying Skills in Competition Context’ on boulders. Thanks to Euan and the setters for setting challenging blocks and to all the endorsed coaches who supported the weekend.
Robert delivered the last of the programmed Advance Belaying Workshops at the Ledge in Inverness, which consisted of an afternoon and evening session, due to the demand and interest.
Jamie, Robert, Stuart and Megan all attended the Association of British Climbing Walls (ABC) Tour at Eden Rock in Edinburgh on the 19th March. In the morning, Megan led a panel discussing the relationship between coaches and route setters in walls, with Robert wearing his coaching hat and Naomi Hatto who is the Route Setting Development Coordinator at the ABC. Lots of good discussion and engagement from the walls in attendance on the topic. In the afternoon, Stuart presented and provided an update on the work of Mountaineering Scotland in the sector, including workforce development and the key part indoor climbing plays in the wider mountaineering pathway.
So, a busy March was had in by the ClimbScotland Team.
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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
