11 March 2004

The MCofS views the recent Receivership of the Adventure Centre at Ratho with great concern.

Ratho is supported by The Mountaineering Council of Scotland as the National Rock Climbing Centre of Scotland as part of a strategy for climbing facility development across Scotland, and as such was a recipient of a £1.2 million grant from Lottery.

The MCofS has, as yet, received no assurance that the Adventure Centre will continue to run either as the National Rock Climbing Centre or will continue to provide vital training for Scotland's climbing public.

John Mackenzie, Earl of Cromartie and President of MCofS said,

“It is the showpiece and public front for Scottish indoor climbing and last year hosted the World Indoor Championships, which were widely televised. It has the world's largest indoor climbing arena and as an adventure centre is unequalled anywhere in the world. Indeed it is a venture that Scotland should be proud of and be supported by its politicians”.

Contrary to previous press statements which suggested that climbers were not fully utilising the walls, the climbing public has exceeded all expectations, with usage figures higher than predicted. This indicates the special nature of the climbing experience at Ratho and the way it has captured the imagination of many.

National Officer, Kevin Howett commented,

“Scotland currently has one of the world's best climbers based at Ratho and is being used as a training venue for various members of the UK Climbing Squad. Ratho is a pivotal venue for the MCofS, as part of a growing network of quality indoor climbing facilities across the country, that will enable young climbers to participate in an exciting sport, enable our best talent to train and compete at international level and as a natural 'home' for Scottish climbing”.

Fred Belcher, Vice President of MCofS and Chair of the Sports Development Committee said,

“Climbing indoors has been identified in recent years as one of the UK's fastest growth sports and offers a life-long activity as an alternative to the usual sports. The MCofS consider Ratho as one of the most effective ways the Scottish Executive can help promote their ethos of improving the health of the Nation, through its climbing walls and gyms and we are keen to see future initiatives in this field safeguarded”.

If Ratho ceases to be run as the National Rock Climbing Centre, then the terms and conditions safeguarding the Lottery investment would mean the grant will be required to be repaid, but John Mackenzie said,

“We will be making representations to the receiver and the creditors in the hope that its future will continue to the be The National Rock Climbing Centre and that it will continue to provide an opportunity for sport through social inclusion for the better health of the Scottish nation”.

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