Rosie Goolden proves mountaineering can be a topsy-turvy world

A star of the rockclimbing community has joined the board of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.

Rosie Goolden qualified as a Mountain Instructor Certificate holder at the age of 22, having started her climbing career at the tender age of 15. She was co-opted on to the MCofS’s board as director of mountain safety and training.

Ms Goolden founded her Chicks Unleashed outdoor business following her first women’s winter seminar in 2004. She will chair the MCofS mountain safety advisory group and the Scottish Mountain Safety Forum and will represent the council on Mountain Leader Training Scotland and Mountain Leader Training UK boards.

She said: “I have always been extremely passionate and energetic in my pursuit of people’s confidence and competence in the mountain environment. One of the criteria, or so I believe, is happiness and a good trigger for that is fun.

Rosie Goolden

“I am delighted and inspired to be part of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, and feel I have reached a time and level of experience where I will be able to contribute a great deal.’

David Gibson, MCofS chief officer, welcomed Ms Goolden’s co-option, saying: “Rosie will be a great asset to the MCofS as she will bring new experience and ideas to our board, at a time when we are aiming both to increase our female membership and continue to provide relevant mountain safety and skills advice to our members and the public.”

He paid tribute to Ms Goolden’s predecessor Graeme Morrison for his work with MCofS since 2007. “We hope that Graeme will find time to continue his involvement with MCofS,” he said, “and wish him every success in the future.”