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Scottish mountain rescue team set for one of busiest ever years

Steven McKenzieHighlands and Islands reporter
News imageLochaber MRT Members of Lochaber MRT bring a stretcher to a coastguard helicopter during a rescue in March. The team, dressed in red jackets, crouch down due to the down draft from the helicopter's rotors. The rescue is taking place in a snowy, mountain landscape.Lochaber MRT
Members of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and a coastguard helicopter during a rescue in March

Mountain rescuers in the Highlands could be set for one of the busiest years in its long history.

Volunteers for Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) have had about 75 call-outs since the start of 2026, with the team attending 160 for the whole of last year.

Astie Cameron, one of the deputy team leaders, said February was particularly busy with several rescues taking place over short periods of time.

"A lot was asked of the team members, and high praise to every one of them who came out. They worked really hard," he told BBC Scotland News.

Fort William-based Lochaber MRT, which was formed in the 1960s, has a pool of 45 volunteers.

Up to 20 members can be called out to a rescue, depending on where it is and how difficult the terrain is.

Lochaber's area includes some of the UK's remotest and mountainous landscapes, including 4,413ft (1,345m) Ben Nevis.

News imageLochaber Mountain Rescue Team A rescuer wearing a red jacket, black jacket, walking boots and wearing a helmet and rucksack is walking through a blizzard while illuminated by torchlight.Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team
News imageLochaber MRT Members of Lochaber MRT haul a stretcher over snow in a snowy mountain landscape.Lochaber MRT
Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team has had more than 70 call-outs so far this year, including several over a few days in February.
The team's patch includes some of the UK's remotest and mountainous landscapes.

Astie Cameron said 75 call-outs was "quite a high figure for this time of year".

He said since the end of the Covid pandemic the annual figure was about 155 to 165.

"That seems to be the new normal," said Cameron.

"Ten to 15 years ago it could have been between 70 and 80 call-outs for the year. It's quite significant the difference in the past decade."

Team leader Iain Murray said the reason seemed to be down to more people heading into the hills.

He said the team encouraged people to enjoy the area responsibly, adding that were health benefits to be gained from getting into the outdoors.

Murray added: "The different types of accidents have not changed, there are just more of them."

He believed many other teams across Scotland had also experienced an increase in call-outs.

News imageLochaber MRT Iain Murray and Astie Cameron, wearing orange Lochaber MRT-branded T-shirts, are standing in the outdoors. There is a stunning view to trees and mountains behind them.Lochaber MRT
Iain Murray (left) and Astie Cameron (right) are raising £10,000 for the team through a 205-mile biking and walking challenge

Another of Lochaber MRT's challenges is funding.

The team's annual running costs total about £125,000, and it relies heavily on donations and fundraising to cover its expenses such as training, clothing, vehicles and fuel.

Next month, Murray and Cameron are to journey around the team's patch on bike and on foot to raise £10,000.

The challenge involves covering 205 miles (330km) and total ascent of 36,089ft (11,000m).

The Munros - mountains higher than 3,000ft (914m) - they will tackle include summits in the four corners of team's area - Rod Bheinn, Larbheinn, Creag Meagaidh and finally Ben Nevis.

Murray said they had thought it a good idea at the time, but added: "The closer we are getting to it the more daunting it becomes."

Starting on 8 June, they hope to complete the journey in three days.

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