MCofS mountain safety adviser Heather Morning

A mountain expert and rescue team member is offering a personal insight into winter safety with a series of talks.

Heather Morning of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, has kicked off her free mountain safety lectures, which continue into the New Year at venues across Scotland.

Mountain safety adviser Ms Morning said: “Winter mountaineering can be hugely rewarding and enjoyable, but at the same time it can present big challenges.

“These talks will show both the good and the bad and give people an idea of the sorts of skills and equipment they need to acquire if they are to head into the mountains this winter.”

With a lifetime’s experience in the mountains, she has been a professional mountaineer for more than 25 years and for a number of years has been an active member of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team.

The MCofS said the lectures will focus on essential skills for people heading out into the Scottish winter mountains, covering navigation, avalanche awareness, route choice, equipment, weather and much more.

The council said: “The lectures are illustrated by beautiful photography and videos and full of personal anecdotes.”

Outdoor retailer Tiso will host lectures beginning on Tuesday 1 December at its Dundee shop, followed by talks at Perth, Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Further lectures by Ms Morning will be staged in Cotswold Outdoor stores from 10 December in Stirling, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

She will then be joined for three talks at the Mountain Cafe in Aviemore by mountain rescue veteran David ‘Heavy’ Whalley.

Although the lectures are free, booking is essential. Details, including dates and contact numbers, are on the MCofS website.