The Officers

There are four officers of the Council responsible for the day to day implementation of Council policy. They are the Senior Officer, National Officer, the Access and Conservation Officer and the Mountain Safety Advisor. Our office team handle enquiries from members and the public. Our paid staff are supported by volunteers who provide a much-valued contribution to our committees and office activity.

The Senior Officer:

David Gibson

tel.no. 01738 493947

David joined the MCofS in 1999, as a relative newcomer to the Scottish hills keen to find out more about the challenges and excitement the hills had to offer.

David says “I saw the MCofS as you might see a more experienced climbing partner. One with knowledge and confidence – ably placed to offer support to a newcomer. I realised this resulted from the experience of the staff and volunteers that make the MCofS such a unique organisation”

David joined the Grampian Club in 2001, and later the Carn Dearg MC and Ancrum MC, all based in Dundee.

He joined the MCofS Executive at the 2005 AGM as an elected member and worked as a volunteer, including the Finance & Administration Committee and a working group developing the new MCofS website concept.

Before joining the MCofS David worked in general management in the automotive industry, and for economic development agencies in Scotland and England. He has also run his own business, and has a MBA and marketing degree.

He has a few Munros left to complete for his first round which he hopes to finish in 2007. He welcomes your views and suggestions about the MCofS.

Contact him at davidg@mountaineering-scotland.org.uk

The National Officer:

Kevin Howett

tel.no. 01738 493946

Kevin has been climbing for over 23 years. He is author of 'Rock Climbing in Scotland' the selected climbs guide published by Constable and is co-ordinating author of the 'Central Highland Outcrops' rock climbing guide published by the SMC. He has climbed over 500 new routes in Scotland up to E7 and grade V, and has been responsible for pioneering climbing in new areas such as The Southern Barra Islands of Mingulay, Pabbay, Berneray and Sandray, Dirc Mhor, Mull of Kintyre, Eigg and Loch Maree as well as the previously neglected Sma' Glen in Perthshire. His pen and ink diagrams used in many guidebooks form the basis of a small business named "Rockart"; he has written and illustrated many articles for the outdoor magazines, was a contributing author of two essays in 'Extreme Rock' and another in the compilation of guest authors of the Mountain Literature Festival, 'Orogenic Zones'.

He has a Zoology degree from Exeter University and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from Bangor College, North Wales. He taught windsurfing, climbing and sailing as an instructor for Newcastle-upon-Tyne Youth and Community Service as well as organising YTS courses for the Local Authority and acting as an independent consultant on in-house accreditation and national qualifications; and the development of urban climbing facilities.

Access & Conservation Officer:

Hebe Carus

tel.no. 01738 493944

By the time you read this I will be in post as the new Access and Conservation Officer which I am very excited about. I will be carrying on the fantastic work that Mike Dales has done for the MC of S membership and access and conservation in general. One of my ambitions for the post is to tie the work I do even closer to the views and concerns of you, the mountaineers. Mountaineering is often seen as an individual pursuit done in the spirit of adventure, and in many ways I agree with that. However, there are some issues where a representative voice is a very important addition to the debate. Only by hearing a wide spectrum of your experiences and views can I truly represent you.

I have been asked to give a little background to myself. For the last 10 years I have been working in various Ranger posts, environmental research and a bit of travelling. I am from Scotland, and am proud to call it home, but also proud to share it with others who appreciate one of the most fantastic countries in the world. My hillwalking exploits started 16 years ago with a miserably wet, ill-equipped walk up Cairnwell. Thankfully I bought better gear and persevered. The mountains are now my battery rechargers. I started climbing 7 years ago indoors and 4 years ago outdoors, also a season of winter climbing. My current project is to re-learn skiing so I can have a go at ski mountaineering. I have been asked how many hobbies I need, and this is not all of them. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible, and finding the best way I can represent you.

Mountain Safety Adviser:

Roger Wild

tel.no. 01738 493945

Roger has been climbing for over thirty years mainly in Scotland and the Alps. He began his mountaineering career with hillwalking and rock climbing in the Lake District and Snowdonia before moving to Scotland in the early 1970's. He has walked, run, climbed and skied in most areas of the Highlands and enjoys the diverse variety that mountaineering in Scotland provides. He has climbed many of the traditional Scottish winter grade V classics, rock climbs at E1 grade and has completed the Munros. His favourite memories include completing one of the few ski traverses of the six tops of the Cairngorms; climbing the north faces of the Grandes Jorasses, Dru, Courtes and Piz Badile and a multitude of Scottish winter climbs. His "desert island climb" is the traverse of the Cuillin Ridge. He has been the training officer for two of Scotland's busiest mountain rescue teams and is actively involved in mountain rescue on Ben Nevis and the surrounding area. He is a qualified mountaineering instructor and guide.

other office staff