With the first snows of winter now settling on the Scottish mountains the timing is perfect for the first MCofS Winter Safety Talks set for next week. The first event will held on Wednesday 12 November at the Cotswold store in Aberdeen with further dates around the country well into February next year. In addition to the MCofS evenings, the well established Winter Safety Lectures at the Clachaig in Glencoe will run every Tuesday in February.
These evenings are always entertaining as well as informative and if you’re lucky enough to bag a seat at the Aviemore Mountain Cafe nights you’ll also have the option of a slap up meal. Most of the MCofS evenings will be presented by Heather Morning, Mountain Safety Advisor with the MCofS. With a lifetime’s experience in the mountains, Heather has been a professional mountaineer for 25 years and for the last 12 years has been an active member of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team. The Clachaig evenings will be hosted by four different, locally based mountain professionals.
The talks will focus on essential skills for folk heading out into the Scottish winter mountains covering navigation, avalanche awareness, route choice, equipment, weather and much more. The lectures are illustrated by beautiful photography, videos and full of personal anecdotes.
Below are details of this seasons MCofS venues, the free places should be booked in advance as demand is usually high.
Wednesday 12th November 2014 – Cotswold Outdoor Store, 9 The Atrium, Guild Square, Aberdeen AB11 5PS (01224 593639) 7.30 pm
Friday 14th November 2014 – Cotswold Outdoor Store, Dobbies Garden Centre, Drip Road, Craigforth, Stirling FK9 4UF (01786 241200) 7.30 pm
Wednesday 19th November 2014 – Tiso, Edinburgh Outdoor Experience, 41 Commerical Street, Leith EH6 6JD (0131 554 0804) 7.30 pm
Thursday 20th November 2014 – Tiso, Glasgow Outdoor Experience, 50 Coupar Street, Glasgow G4 0DL (0141 559 5450) 7.30 pm
Tuesday 25th November 2014 – Tiso, Longman Industrial Estate, Inverness IV1 1SN 1(01463 729171) 7.30 pm
Thursday 27th November 2014 – Tiso, Highland Gateway, Inveralmond Roundabout, Perth PH1 3EE (01738 634464) 7.30 pm
Tuesday 20th January 2015 – Cotswold Outdoor Store, 30 West End Retail Park, 60 Crow Road, Partick Glasgow G11 7RY (0141 357 5353) 7.30 pm
Wednesday 21st January 2015 – Cotswold Outdoor Store, 72 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 2NN (0131 464 9991) 7.30 pm
Aviemore Mountain Café 2015 lectures:
Wednesday 11th February 2015 Di Gilbert
Wednesday 18th February 2015 Heavy Whalley
The Mountain Cafe lectures will start at 8pm. Those attending can book a meal before the lecture (£12) Meals will be served at 7pm and must be booked in advance by calling 01479 812473.
The Clachaig Inn, Glencoe 2015 lectures in the Bidean Lounge Bar at the Clachaig (no booking required):
Tuesday 3rd February Mike Pescod – Decision Making in the Scottish Winter Mountains
Tuesday 10th February David ‘Heavy’ Whalley MBE BEM – A Heavy Affair with the Mountains
Tuesday 17th February Richard Bentley – Winter Strategies for Glencoe & Ben Nevis
Tuesday 24th February Davy Gunn – Avalanche 101