Mountain leader training receives funding boost from Highland backers

Young people tackling the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme are going to be safer on the hillside, thanks to a charity donation.

The Highland Award Project and solicitors Innes and MacKay presented youth leaders Rhona Steel and John Davidson with cheques for £250 towards mountain leader training.

This means any Duke of Edinburgh Award hopeful who is undertaking an expedition in a remote or rural area of the Highlands will have a qualified leader on hand to assist in their training.

The funding comes from a £250 donation from Innes and MacKay and funding from the Highland Award Project.

Presenting the award, William Walker, the chairman of Highland Award Project, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the training of these two leaders in their Scottish mountain leader training. We look forward to them supporting the young people on the Duke of Edinburgh awards throughout the area.”

Mr Davidson and Ms Steele both lead Duke of Edinburgh schemes in high schools, and support other organisations to deliver their training

Mr Davidson said: “I am very grateful to the Highland Award Project and Innes and Mackay for part-funding the mountain leader assessment course, along with Duke of Edinburgh Award Scotland.

“Supervising groups of young people on their Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions, particularly in wild and remote areas of the Highlands, is a big responsibility – as well as being good fun – so the professional standards you must meet to gain the mountain leader is an important aspect of the role.

“We took three Duke of Edinburgh gold groups out with Inverness Royal Academy this summer.

“All of the students were a great credit to the school, showing mental and physical strength and endurance.”

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