Mountain safety and skills

The following winter skills clips have been prepared by Glenmore Lodge and offer a useful introduction to equipment and skills required for heading to the Scottish mountains in winter.

Clothing for winter - layering

Choosing boots for winter

Choosing an ice axe

Choosing a pair of crampons

What to check before you head out in winter

Kicking steps

Cutting steps

Cutting a stance

Using crampons

The following organisations are concerned with safety in the Scottish mountains:

Mountain Training Scotland – the national governing body for mountain training 

Scottish Mountain Rescue – represents all the civilian mountain rescue teams 

Glenmore Lodge - the National Outdoor Training Centre, offers a wide range of training courses at all levels  

Scottish Avalanche Information Service – provides daily reports throughout the winter 

Mountain Weather Information Service – a daily mountain-specific weather information service 

The Met Office – daily mountain-specific reports 

Association of Mountaineering Instructors – has lists of qualified professional mountaineering instructors

Walk Highlands – great for ideas for routes and the latest outdoor news 

Mountain Aid - A charity which aims to help improve the quality of life of anyone permanently injured on the Scottish hills; to promote training and education in the skills required to enjoy the Scottish hills safely, and to maintain a close relationship with the Scottish Mountain Rescue services, granting funds for projects, equipment or activities which might otherwise not receive funding