SMART fun at Glenmore Lodge

85 university students from 14 different Scottish Universities arrived at Glenmore Lodge last weekend for a mountaineering and rescue training weekend. 

The SMART student weekend, heavily subsidised by Mountaineering Scotland, Glenmore Lodge, Scottish Mountaineering Trust and Walk Highlands, aims to ensure that students take away the skills and knowledge to enjoy the mountains and crags of Scotland in a safe and fun way.

The weekend is an ideal opportunity for university and college club members of all abilities to increase their skill levels and to equip those in positions of responsibility - because of their experience, organisational remit or committee membership - to help expand and consolidate their knowledge and improve their confidence in their roles.

It’s also great for members of student clubs who are new to hill walking, mountaineering or climbing, and wish to 'learn the ropes', setting a solid foundation of skills that they can build upon in the future and share with fellow club members.

Sessions delivered by a number of highly qualified instructors, included Beginners rock, Improvers rock, Emergency mountain first aid, Mountain experience and night navigation. There were also lectures and plenty of fun and games on the Saturday evening.

This year marks the 15th annual event, which was originally established on the recommendations of a fatal accident enquiry following the death of a Bristol University student in 1994. A similar event runs every year at Plas y Brenin in Wales.