One of the facts we want to highlight on this trip is that Scottish Mountain Rescue (SMR) is a separate organisation and entity to Mountain Rescue in England and Wales (MREW).

The Scottish Mountain Rescue organisation represents twenty six different teams North of the border. There has been some re-organisation over the years and two of the best known and busiest teams have become independent, with automony over the way they operate.

Included in the twenty six teams are the RAF team at Lossiemouth and three police teams. Whilst recognising the essential and valued work these teams do, our trip is concentrating on visiting the individual civilian volunteer teams including Glencoe and Cairngorm MRT’s.

Just like the MREW teams operating in higher and more remote mountain areas, the Scottish teams are highly reliant on helicopter services from HM Coastguard, Air Ambulance and the Police. Highly technical rescues from steep or vertical ground are a regular occurrence in the Highlands and most Scottish team members are talented mountaineers, rock and ice climbers or even professional instructors and guides.

Despite the differences in the two national mountain rescue organisations, we’re all dedicated to one thing, and that’s helping folk in distress…

The excellent Scottish Mountain Rescue website gives very comprehensive details of their organisation and the teams they represent.