As you know, Ratho Quarry Company - the operators of the Adventure Centre and the National Rock Climbing Centre of Scotland went into receivership 19 days ago. The Receivers have placed the Company up for sale and are hopeful that it will be bought as a 'going concern'. The advert placed is below.

However, The MCofS is concerned that the “ethos” of the Adventure Centre be kept alive if any prospective buyer takes over. We would wish to retain the National Rock Climbing Centre status, which was supported by ourselves and backed up by grant-aid from Sportscotland Sports Lottery Fund.

It is our worry that the project under a new owner, although ostensibly operated as a climbing centre with linked conference facilities, would not reflect the core ethos and values that we have supported over the development period of the project. The unique character of the venue allowing direct transition from an introduction to climbing indoors to climbing outdoors in one venue by experienced and committed staff, backed by connections with national outdoor centres, is core to the National status.

It is imperative that any new owner is aware of how the various facilities at this centre dovetail into each other to provide coaches with all the facilities and equipment needed to develop and train our talented athletes. Youth coaching schemes and competitions, some of which would be international events, will not be provided for unless the original ethos is adhered to. This and keeping the project as the National Rock Climbing Centre for Scotland must, in our opinion, be a primary aim for any new management.

We are supportive of a bid from the current management team as it has taken a long time to select and train such a dedicated and professional team of people in whom we as the governing body of the sport can have complete confidence. This team will maintain the original ethos of the project as well the many aspects of the quarry we were concerned about including continued free access for climbers.

We are doing our utmost to impress on all concerned the importance of this project being kept as originally conceived.

Fred Belcher, Vice President MCofS and chair of the Sports Development Committee of MCofS has written to the following people for support in this respect:        Fred's letter

• Mr Frank McAveety, MSP, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh EH99 1SP.
  Email: frank.mcaveety@scottish.parliament.uk

• Robin Harper, MSP, The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh EH99 1SP
  Email: robin.harper@scottish.parliament.uk

• Margaret Smith, MSP, The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh EH99 1SP
  Email: Margaret.smith@scottish.parliament.uk

• The Chief Executive, Bank of Scotland, Head Office, HBOS, The Mound,
  Edinburgh EH1 1YZ

• David Boydel, Deloitte and Touche LLP, Saltire Court, 20 Castle Terrace,
  Edinburgh EH1 2BD

• James Stephen, Deloitte and Touche LLP, Lomond House, 9 George Street,
  Glasgow G2 1QQ

• Ian Robson, Chief Executive, sportscotland, Caledonia House, South Gyle,
  Edinburgh EH12 9DQ    Email: ian.robson@sportscotland.org.uk

If you wish to support us in this to ensure that the centre continues as it is, offering the best indoor climbing facility in Europe, please consider writing to all or any of these people. Your support would be much appreciated.

MCofS Statement - 11th March

Ratho recently hosted a British Indoor Climbing Competition round, and the British University Climbing Competition. There are photo's from the events here

Among the coming happenings at the Adventure centre are

• Adventure Clubs for children aged 8 to 16 throughout the Easter school holidays
• Climb Taster sessions will be running from 9.45am to 5.00pm on weekdays over the Easter period.
• SkyRide Opening Hours extended over Easter
• A wide range of Centre-based and external courses are available for booking
• Full training facilities are available at the Adventure Sports Gym