The leader of Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team has suggested that a new civilian rescue helicopter be based in Fort William and funded through voluntary donations. John Grieve told the Herald that it would cost £2 million a year to have a helicopter based near Ben Nevis and that it could also be used for searches and rescues in Glencoe, Skye, Torridon, and the Cairngorms and Killin areas.
At the moment these areas including Fort William and Glencoe are served by RAF search and rescue and the coastguard helicopter from Stornaway. Mr Grieve told the Herald that a new helicopter might also be used by the fire, police and ambulance services, although he felt that there was very little likelihood of public money being available for the project.
The Herald newspaper reported Mr Grieve as saying, “We have tens of thousands of people coming to climb in Glencoe, Ben Nevis and the mountains round about. Surely we could tap into this huge constituency. We can never charge people for going on to the hills, but I am sure the dedicated climbers would be willing to support fundraising efforts, just as the sailing fraternity and coastal communities support the lifeboat.”