The Mountaineering Council of Scotland

Proposal to Change
the Name of the MCofS

 

 

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland, is constantly being confused with the Scottish Mountaineering Club both as regards the abbreviated titles and the full titles. It is perhaps time to consider changing the name of the Council to avoid this confusion.

The MCofS already has a web domain name, www.mountaineering-scotland.org.uk, as well as www.themcofs.org.uk

The proposal is to change the name to MountaineeringScotland.

This proposal was discussed at this years Annual General Meeting and led to a spirited debate, with perhaps everyone having a different opinion. Some felt that a name change was unneccessary, or that the proposed name wasn't good enough. In the end the proposal was not supported, but it was decided that the question should be left open for further thought.

It was generally felt that changing would only be worthwhile if a suitable name was thought up. One which is less wordy than 'The Mountaineering Council of Scotland', but still reflects the nature of the orginisation as a representative body for mountaineers and clubs. 'MountaineeringScotland' was considered not to reflect the fact that we are a membership based organisation.

It was suggested that a relaunch of the council under a new name would be an opportunity to raise our public profile, provided enough work was put in at the time.

It was also pointed out that, as the MCofS office is due to change address in September, that would be the best time as letterheads etc. will have to be changed anyway.

The running of a competition to find the best new name has been proposed. One member suggested the old-name t-shirt stock could be used as prizes.

Annon wrote:
MC of S, easy to say. Mountaineering Council of Scotland, a bit of a mouthful, but if it's backed up by a reputation of putting mountaineering first and Council that is made up of mountaineers that are respected, not for their achievements but for what they are able to pass on to others, in a manner that is solely beneficial to the Scottish Mountains, the name will carry itself for what it is, not for who can say it.

MC of S = Mountaineering Council of Scotland.

Ok, so it's a body of people that are concerned with mountaineering in Scotland. Sounds about right.

The word Council gives the impression of importance and authority, losing that element could allow the organisation to fall into a position of unimportant obscurity.

Keep the name and concentrate efforts and funds on something that will help those you represent, your members. Ensure that the name you present yourself with is backed up with sound knowledge, experience, common sense and a desire to ensure that you are committed to educating safety, enjoyment and respect for the mountains.

You're fighting a loosing battle against the growth in number of individuals that are entering into the hills. Who for the most part will endure a climb that is too steep, a rout that is too long and an experience that is disappointing.

good luck and best wishes.

Scott Bell wrote:
Mountaineering Scotland sounded succinct, to the point and relevant to the 21st Century. Also, it's the web-site......it's time to get the dotcom mentality.

James Gordon wrote:
I believe that the current title gives the MCofS and air of authority and tradition which automatically engenders some respect from many climbers. I belive that it will be very difficult to find a new name that would have the same effect.

Tom Rix wrote:
Suggest: Mountaineering Council Scotland

Removing "of" simplifies, makes writing and typing simpler, sounds neater and contains all the essential words. "MCS" rather evokes "SMC" but does it really matter when the land is anyway awash with abbreviations and logos! The three words are impossible to replace without artificialising the context.

Past President, Robin Campbell wrote:
Changing the name makes sense only if it reduces confusion about who we are. I think it unwise to ditch 20 years of name-recognition for the insufferably faddish 'MountaineeringScotland'.

A much better idea would be to change the logo. It's ill-drawn and ugly.

Donald Morris (slovenianalpinist@hotmail.com) wrote:
I agree that the current name is a bit of a mouthful and that new name would be good. I think that it should be bi-lingual. In gaelic in in english, not an english bit with a small gaelic bit underneath. afterall, most of the names of our mountains are anns a ghaidhlig. Tapadh Leibh

Brian MacDonald (brian@mountainnut.fsnet.co.uk) wrote:
Come on guys - we have to remain relevant. Our attitudes and work are at the forefront of world mountaineering. Let's get a name to match. Council for me evokes grey men in smoke filled rooms so lets kick that into touch first.

MountaineeringScotland(one word) presented either as one colour mono for letterhead/advert or as colour version Scotland in Blue, Mountaineering in green (hills) red(Cairngorm), grey (Liatach)you get the idea.

Alternatively use two typefaces. I'm not a designer but perhaps someone out there can advise.

Noel Darlow wrote:
Assuming the SMC can't be persuaded to change THEIR name (the recent tendency of MCoS members to use shorter, less effective ice axes might make that more difficult..) I think any new name should make it immediately clear that the MCoS's main role is to act as a representative body for the wide range of Scottish mountaineering clubs.

"Getting High in Scotland" might have served in pre-Trainspotting days. "Scottish Summiteers" doesn't work in the abbreviated version - and neither really does "Mountaineering Scotland".

To be serious, I don't see how you can leave out "mountaineering" or "Scottish" so there is no way to avoid some overlap with the SMC. But, what about: "The Society for Scottish Mountaineering" (SSM)? At least that takes the C out of the equation.

Pitch-In

[ Home ] [ News ] [ Safety and Training ] [ Access and Conservation ] [ Sports Development ] [ Council Matters ]
[ Search ] [ Info Service ] [ Membership ] [ Publications ] [ Newsletters ] [ Links ]

© The Mountaineering Council of Scotland