It’s no exaggeration to call them exceptional human beings.
Indeed, just thinking about the gruelling work they do – unpaid – in taking on the perilous mountains of Scotland, makes one feel a sense of awe.
They are the group of volunteers who put their own lives at risk, in sometimes horrific conditions, to save the lives of others.
Mountain rescue team volunteers are the people ready and willing to drop what they are doing, leave their beds, abandon their work or bail out of social events to assist total strangers.
Scottish Mountain Rescue has just published its annual review, revealing that in 2016 they dealt with a total of 463 incidents, nine of which were fatal.
The organisations which are affiliated to Scottish Mountain Rescue have about 850 members. Every single team member is a volunteer.
And yet they deliver a world-class Search And Rescue (SAR) service and respond to myriad requests from Police Scotland.
Throughout 2016, a remarkable total of 22,697 hours were volunteered. That is the equivalent of one person working more than 472 consecutive 48-hour weeks, voluntarily.
What makes them do it? Scott Stevens, the leader of Aberdeen Mountain Rescue Team, offered some insight.
He said: “For the majority of our volunteers, they are all involved in outdoor activities, whether it be climbing, walking, or mountain biking. They all have a keen interest in the outdoors and for a lot of them, they want to give something back to their chosen hobby or sport.
“They are all volunteers, but they are not the type of characters who would be suitable for a charity shop or the like. Their skills are best suited for the hills.
“In the most severe cases, they are potentially risking their own lives at times. We are going out in conditions that nobody else is going out in. That is the most extreme side of it.
“Some rescues can be quite complex. Our volunteers are not paid and if they are injured during a rescue it can have an impact on their full-time jobs.
“They also give up a lot of free time with friends and family and they all have a very supportive network behind them.”
At present, this redoubtable group is not short of volunteers. Mr Stevens added: “The team is in quite a strong position as far as membership goes. We have got a number of guys going through training just now.”
However, they are always on the lookout for new blood. “Recruiting never stops, because even if our numbers are strong, you never know when people are going to move away from the area for work, or just decide not to do it any longer,” said Mr Stevens.
Fundraising is always an issue. It never stops. It requires other forms of sacrifice and dependence on those with a love for the hills, glens and mountains.
Mr Stevens explained: “Fundraising is continuous. We still get a grant from the government, but how long that lasts, who knows? It costs about £40,000 to run the team, but this year is going to be expensive because we are replacing waterproofs. We are continually fundraising for running costs.”
The various groups are already starting their preparation for this winter, with assorted training sessions.
Mr Stevens could go on for ever giving advice about staying safe on the hills, but he says the most important thing is that people make sure they are prepared for the conditions and let people know where they are going.
The Scottish Mountain Rescue Annual Review looks at the work of the rescue teams, stories from rescues, mountain rescuers profiles and their achievements.
Emily Woodroofe, who has raised thousands of pounds for a mountain rescue team, wrote about the day in March 2016 when she was bouldering in Torridon. She suffered an accident in which her right leg was crushed under a rock.
She said: “There is a blurred line between being lucky and unlucky. The local GPs with trauma training arrived first, followed by Mountain Rescue and an air ambulance. In the end though, the Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter, Rescue 951 took me to Inverness.
“Of all the services that saved my life, MRT are the only ones who rely on public donations. That’s why I decided to raise money for the vital and heroic work they do. In the end, £5,000 has been raised for Torridon MRT and I hope to continue to raise more throughout my life.
“But it’s not all doom and gloom. Yes, my life is more difficult than it was before, but then I’ve never gone for the easy road. You’d be surprised at how similar it is to before. In fact, I’m already back to dancing and hiking but just need to get my stamina back so that I can once again get back to the scrambling that I love.”
Arjan Hendricks of Torridon MRT said: “The Coastguard helicopter arrived from Inverness. As we had come straight to scene without much equipment we requested their stretcher and this was lowered to us with the winch man. After an assessment the box splint was replaced with a vacuum splint.
“The crews from the road ambulance and air ambulance, which had landed on the road, were also now on hand. We all assisted in getting Emily onto the stretcher and she was winched up to the aircraft and away to Inverness.
“Emily started fundraising for Torridon MRT almost immediately after her return home. We are extremely grateful for her efforts. Her support is particularly welcome as we are, this year, building a new rescue centre for the team and we need to raise £50,000 to complete the £250,000 project.”
Announcing the annual review, Kev Mitchell, SMR vice chairman, said: “It has been a very busy year for our volunteer teams. This illustrates the huge commitment shown by team members and their families to ensure that hillgoers have a free world-class mountain rescue service when they need it throughout Scotland.
“We hope our annual review will give the public a flavour of the hard work and commitment shown by Scottish Mountain Rescue Team volunteers and while we are proud of nearly 23,000 hours of volunteering on call-outs, this figure can easily be doubled when training activities are taken into account. A truly magnificent effort from SMR teams who are volunteering to save lives. Any hour, any day, any weather.”
In the foreword Major General Mark Strudwick, Prior of St John Scotland said: “The dedication and professionalism of the mountain rescue teams – all of whose member are volunteers and who give their time at considerable personal sacrifice and risk – is remarkable, and must never be taken for granted. I applaud their efforts, and those other whose generosity makes their work possible; St John Scotland is proud to be associated with a group whose values mirror our own so closely.”
Damon Powell, chairman of SMR, explained how the teams’ contribution was crucial in the bigger picture.
He said: “We work regularly with our primary partners in Police Scotland, Scottish Government, Scottish Ambulance Service, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Bristow Helicopters and Mountaineering Scotland to name but a few.
“We also work to ensure the story of mountain rescue in Scotland is heard further afield and for that reason I am delighted with this, our second annual review.
“In the coming year, we will continue to tell the story of our member teams by working more closely with Mountaineering Scotland, visiting Westminster to meet representatives of the All Party Group on Mountain Rescue and organising a parliamentary reception at Holyrood with a display of our work.”
MSPs in the Highlands and Islands have said that this is the perfect time to raise awareness of mountain safety.
Donald Cameron, Edward Mountain and Jamie Halcro Johnston are calling on mountaineers and hill walkers to take more safety measures before setting off into the Highlands to prevent avoidable incidents. Most happen during the summer with a simple slip or trip the most common cause.
Navigational errors and getting lost were the second most prevalent cause. Mr Cameron said: “The Scottish Highlands are home to some of the most beautiful mountains, glens and forests. But that beauty also hides dangerous paths, gorges and ravines.
“I have been astonished and concerned by the number of ill-equipped tourists who are not prepared for wet weather conditions or are wearing inappropriate footwear.
“Accidents are waiting to happen, but they could be avoided if the right precautions are taken.”
Mr Mountain added: “Our Scottish Mountain Rescue teams perform heroic deeds in often dangerous conditions.”
The message could hardly be more straightforward or to the point. Volunteers who take the high road to deal with tristesse and occasional tragedy will never give up.
But they need support from the people who share their commitment to the great outdoors. That is they least they deserve.