The Mountaineering Council of Scotland have fought back today against calls for Scotland’s mountains to have continental style waymarking.
The debate began an article in the Herald newspaper where journalist Iain MacWhirter called for the routes on the Munros and other peaks to be waymarked. In interviews on BBC Radio Scotland and Reporting Scotland on BBC1, MCofS Chief Officer David Gibson rejected the suggestion, asking;
“Why is MCofS against waymarking of routes up Scottish mountains? Let’s make it clear from the outset, MCofS aims to encourage and support folk who wish to enjoy the mountains, be they hill walkers or climbers. We provide free mountain safety & navigation resources on this website and with the support of the Scottish Government we also fund the Mountain Weather Information Service.”
“We want to ensure that people understand the risks involved in heading into the hills – and how to be as safe as possible through preparation and by acquiring basic navigation skills. Our position is based on an understanding of the relationship between mountaineering incidents – mountain rescue call outs – and their cause.”
“Scotland’s mountains offer a fabulous range of different experiences for people of all ages and abilities. Being self-reliant – having necessary basic skills – is the only way to enjoy these experiences as safely as possible.”
“The argument in favour of waymarked paths is that their provision would obviate the need for folk to have map and compass skills and encourage more people to get active. MCofS believes map and compass skills are absolute basics for anyone heading for the mountains and that they can save your life.”
“The MCofS believes that waymarking would encourage people to venture beyond their capabilities and get into difficulties. So what are the problems with waymarking? ”
“Scotland’s weather, poor visibility, wind, rain, frost, and snow fall at pretty much any time of the year can all remove, damage or cover waymarks. ”
“What is the inexperienced hill walker supposed to do in these circumstances? Who decides where to place waymarks? How far apart? What type of waymark design for the different types of mountain geology and flora we have in Scotland? Who maintains them? Who is liable when the waymark isn’t where it should be and folk get lost, injured or worse?”
There was a lively discussion on the radio, which is available on BBC i-player.
Walkhighlands agrees with the principal of making the countryside accessible to everyone, but like the MCofS believes that waymarking is impractical and undesirable on the mountains and is more suited to lower level routes. This view has been widely shared in a discussion on the website’s forum. However the radio phone-in showed that there is a wide range of opinion on this controversial issue.