The two new MCofS trophies
The body representing hillwalkers and climbers north of the border is looking for heroes fit for two new awards.
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland’s volunteer of the year and young climber of the year accolades will reward inspirational figures in the outdoors world.
The council, whose growing membership includes climbers, hillwalkers and mountaineers, has commissioned two trophies for the new awards. Nominations for the two categories can be made online.
The young climber award is to celebrate a young person whose talent, enthusiasm and commitment to climbing inspires other young people to start or to progress in climbing.
And the volunteer of the year looks to recognise someone who has made a significant contribution to Scottish mountaineering through MCofS or other relevant activities.
MCofS president Mike Watson said: “We now have almost 13,000 members in the MCofS, and want to do something to recognise and celebrate those members who have made a real difference to Scottish mountaineering and climbing.
“The volunteer award will be a well deserved ‘thank-you’ to someone who offers their time, experience and skills for the benefit of their fellow hillwalkers, climbers or mountaineers, or for the mountain landscapes we all cherish.
MCofS president Mike Watson
“And, with climbing being such a fast-growing sport, we’re looking for the most inspirational of the up-and-coming generation of climbers. They’re not necessarily the best climbers, and they might receive the award for competition climbing, coaching, or other mountaineering or club activities, but the key thing we are looking for is that spark that makes other young people want to get out there and participate.”
The trophies for both awards have been specially commissioned from acclaimed Edinburgh glass artist Emma Butler Cole Aitken. Her colourful creations, showing a young climber on a climbing wall, and a mountaineer reaching out to assist his companions, were chosen from more than 20 submissions by artists and craftspeople.
Nominations for either award should be made online before 31 July 2016, and the winners will be announced at the MCofS AGM in Perth on 24 September.
