Mountain Training Scotland

15/10/2026

Interested in walking, climbing, mountaineering?

Can your experience influence the direction of Scotland’s awarding body for the Mountain Training qualification and skills courses?

Mountain Training Scotland (MTS) is inviting applications for up to three new non-executive Directors for its Board of Directors. Directors share responsibility for the governance of the organisation, set its strategic direction, and oversee its management.

This is an exciting opportunity to ensure Mountain Training Scotland is well positioned to oversee and develop the provision of the Mountain Training qualification schemes and skills training courses and their associated learning pathways.

Applications are invited from individuals who must be resident full-time in Scotland, with personal experience of walking, mountaineering and/or climbing activities.

Participation in the Mountain Training schemes, whilst not essential, would be useful; significant relevant experience should be outlined in the application process.

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate:
• Governance and work with committees (in non-profit or commercial organisations)
• Expertise/achievements in one or more of these specialist areas:
o Inclusion, diversity, equity and equality
o Formal and/or informal education
o Business finance and strategy
o Commercial and/or partnership development
o working understanding of the Mountain Training schemes

Mountain Training Scotland is committed to maintaining a diverse, inclusive and effective Board. We recognise that a breadth of perspectives, skills and lived experiences strengthens governance and supports better decision-making.

As part of our commitment to improving Board diversity, we particularly welcome applications from individuals from groups currently underrepresented on the Board, including women, people from ethnic minority backgrounds and people who consider themselves to have a disability.

Board Recruitment Priorities

As part of this recruitment round, the Board is seeking to appoint up to three new Trustees/Directors to complement the existing skills and experience of the Board. Applications are particularly welcomed from individuals with financial management experience and the ability to scrutinise financial accounts and reporting. We are also committed to improving the diversity of the Board and encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives that reflect the communities we support.

How to Apply

Whilst no remuneration is available for the role, all reasonable expenses incurred whilst involved in or conducting Mountain Training Scotland business will be reimbursed.

For a recruitment pack and details of how to apply please email [email protected].

Closing date for applications is mid-day on 13th November 2026.

We will notify applicants selected for further consideration/recruitment by email within five days of the closing date.

Interviews will be held via Zoom following the conclusion of application review. Dates and times for interviews will be flexible (within reason) on the evenings of the 2nd and 3rd December between 1900 and 2100hrs, and applicants must ensure they are available on one of those dates.

Please Note

This vacancy is not open to anyone who has been disqualified from holding a Directorship in a Limited Company.

Mountain Training Scotland operates an equal opportunities policy.

Mountaineering Scotland Mountain Training Mountain Training Association Ramblers Scotland BMC British Mountain Guides British Association of International Mountain Leaders Scouts Scotland Girlguiding Scotland

09/10/2026

The Executive Officer was out visiting a Rock Climbing Instructor (RCI) course being delivered on the beautiful Moray coast. As always, it was a pleasure to spend time in such a spectacular setting with a great bunch of people.

This visit took place on the final day of a RCI course. There had been poor weather conditions earlier in the programme, so the course timetable had been adapted and reorganised to maximise learning opportunities.

The day began cool and breezy, but the sun soon emerged, creating excellent conditions and a rather pleasant wee place for rock climbing. Nae dolphins though.

02/10/2026

Excellent news!

Good news from the Cairngorms - significant areas of the Glenmore corridor exclusion zone have been opened as of today. 
 
Access is now available to Lochan Uaine, Bynack Mor and also the full circuit over Meall a Bhuachaille via Ryvoan bothy. 
 
Some closures remain in place for public safety (see areas shaded red on the map). This is due to unstable trees and to allow recovery operations, including tree felling and path repairs.
 
Please:
✅ Follow all signage on the ground
✅ Listen to guidance from rangers and staff working in the area
✅ Check the interactive map before you head out for current open/closed routes and the full exclusion zone
 
These zones exist to keep you safe, we thank you for respecting them.
 
Full details and map on the Cairngorms National Park website.

29/09/2026

The Executive Officer, George McEwan, was recently in East Lothian visiting a Lowland Leader course. It was a pleasure to catch up with an enthusiastic group of candidates and see the scheme in action.

During the visit, the course director reminded him that the first Lowland Leader course delivered in Scotland in 2014 was the very course on which they had been assessed, and which had been visited by George at the time. So it was particularly rewarding to return twelve years later and see that same individual now directing an assessment course, highlighting both the growth of the scheme and the ongoing development of its leaders into course directors training and assessing the next generation of Lowland Leaders.
Mountain Training Mountaineering Scotland Ramblers Scotland Mountain Training Association

12/08/2026

New petition to fight walking ban at 4 popular Munros

Walkers are being asked to unite to challenge attempts to close Glen Lyon hills this autumn. Ramblers Scotland has today launched a petition to challenge a Perthshire estate's controversial 2-month ban on walkers accessing 4 popular Munros in Glen Lyon.

North Chesthill Estate, owned by Alastair Riddell, last year erected signs stating: "No Walking. We Are Stalking. September to October." The move sparked public outcry, national media coverage and criticism in the Scottish Parliament.

But now, the estate’s website is once again advising people to "walk elsewhere" from 1 September until the end of October. Ramblers Scotland says this is at odds with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Its new petition at ramblers.org.uk/glenlyon is also backed by Walkhighlands and ScotWays.

12/08/2026

07/08/2026

The cordon around the Glenmore area affected by the Cairngorms wildfire has been lifted to allow local businesses to reopen.

We urge all visitors to take extra care as we expect the terrain to be very rough underfoot with paths and tracks churned up and washed out from helicopter drops. Navigation could also be trickier than usual due to obscured or unpleasant path conditions, and you may need to consider alternative routes.

Efforts continue to dampen down any remaining hotspots and some areas remain restricted for safety reasons. Please observe any closure or diversion signs as these are likely in place for safety reasons such as unstable trees. Also be aware that there may still be a residual smell of burning in the area depending on wind direction.

Access Updates:

🔸 Areas that are open include Loch Morlich, Lochside, and the Loch Morlich beach, the Hayfield, Sugarbowl and Coire Cas car parks and all facilities at Cairngorm mountain.

🔸 Access to the summit of Meall a’ Bhuachaille is possible from the west only, starting from Glenmore Visitor Centre (return the same way).

🔸 The Coire na Ciste motorhome stopover area and hillwalkers car park will remain closed to assist the firefighting operations.

🔸 Routes to Bynack Mor via the Ryvoan Pass and from the Ciste Car Park are currently unavailable.

As this remains a dynamic situation, check online for updates in advance of your visit.

03/08/2026

Very positive news.

01/08/2026

Its not over. This appears to have been one of the most complex fire events in Scotland since the Second World War. Our thanks and best wishes to the people still heavily involved, and those supporting them, working hard in bringing this to a safe conclusion.

Wildfire update [Posted 6.25pm on Friday, 31 July]

The multi-agency partnership has been working hard behind the scenes to introduce a phased reopening of the incident cordon, with a view to allowing the Refuel event, planned for 5 August – 9 August at Badaguish to go ahead as planned.

While it was hoped that the cordon at Coylumbridge could be amended today, a dynamic risk assessment of the cordon and forest area has identified that more measures must be taken to protect the public amidst this ongoing and complex incident.

This includes how traffic and footfall is managed around the high-risk area beyond Badaguish, which includes the Glenmore forest and Loch Morlich, which will remain closed to the public. Active firefighting, heavy machinery movement and dangerous trees are still a serious public safety risk in this area.

A further update on the phased reopening and the measures put in place to protect the public will be issued on Monday 3 August.

Please continue to respect the road closures and cordons in place, if you are visiting the area please check all advice before you travel, as some areas are open.

Thank you to the community and local businesses for their continued patience and understanding.

Cairngorms National Park The Highland Council RSPB Scotland Police Scotland Highland & Islands Forestry and Land Scotland

Photo courtesy of Forestry and Land Scotland.

31/07/2026

Yup still loadsa hills to head for. Cairngorm National Park is THE largest national park in the UK and has 55 Munros and five of the six highest mountains in the UK. Though please be mindful of approach routes from the Glenmore / Abernethy side. Stay frosty!