The Gathering is expected to attract rescuers from across the British Isles
More than 200 mountain rescuers from all over the British Isles will converge on the Scottish Highlands for a major conference.
The Gathering will take place at Glenmore Lodge near Aviemore and will include workshops for visitors, including a session by top climber Dave MacLeod.
Author and mountaineer Andy Kirkpatrick will also speak at the conference, which organisers described as a unique national forum to share, discuss and develop the latest practices and technology with experts in the field.
The Gathering takes place this coming weekend at the Cairngorms centre, with conference chairman Jonathan Hart joined by representatives of Scottish Mountain Rescue, Mountain Rescue England and Wales and Mountain Rescue Ireland.
Main sponsors of the event are Fife-based outdoor brand Keela and St John Scotland, which has provided much of the financial support for rescue teams north of the border.
Other main sponsors include Berghaus and Páramo.
Organisers said: “The conference has attracted over 240 delegates from across the four countries, involving 80 instructional and other staff.
“Additionally, the event is supported by 25 companies exhibiting some of the latest equipment the outdoor industry has to offer.
“Mountain Rescue in the United Kingdom and on the island of Ireland is largely carried out by unpaid volunteers organised in mountain rescue teams, most of which are registered charities.
“In 2012, the latest year for which full figures are available, volunteers in Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland responded to approximately 2,000 incidents, assisting approximately 2,300 people in need.”
The conference runs from 12 to 14 September.
