A dedicated Glencoe Mountain Rescue volunteer is stepping back from the role after a phenomenal 50 years of service.
Ronnie Rodger has been on “hundreds and hundreds” of missions, which have kept him on his toes over the past five decades.
“Life is boring, but rescues are never boring,” he said. “It’s the uncertainty. You never know when they’re coming – it could be the middle of the night or a beautiful summer’s day – and I genuinely enjoyed it all. It keeps you on your toes.
“You give a lot if you’re in a rescue team, but you get a lot too. You get the satisfaction of helping people and that side of it is really good. No doubt about it.”
The retired engineer has missed “very few” rescues over the past five decades and has worked with many different team members, including the late Hamish MacInnes.
He went out on his very first rescue with the team back in June 1972.
“That first one was a dramatic rescue,” he said. “The detail you can remember from your first rescue is incredible.
“We went up to rescue the man at Glencoe, he was a fatality in the cave. It had been raining heavily but it was dry during the rescue. The ones that stick in your mind are the ones with fatalities, especially youngsters.
“Those types of rescues are always sad.”
‘My presence will not vanish’
At the team’s annual dinner, “Radio Ronnie” was presented with a framed mountain rescue radio to mark his stepping down and his love of talking over the airwaves.
Mr Rodger, who lives in Glencoe, has also been made the team’s first ever associate member and will continue to help out behind the scenes.
“I’m out of the team but my presence will not vanish,” he said.
Andy Nelson, Glencoe Mountain Rescue team leader, shared that Mr Rodger has also been a great mentor to other members of the team – often referencing rescues from before newer members were even born.
He added: “Ronnie has put in a long shift, and has always been great company on callouts and shown sympathy to the many casualties he has met.
“A remarkable asset to the team, Ronnie has shared his experience and knowledge, particularly with newer members, embracing the unwritten law of mentorship in our organisation.
“It must have been fascinating for Ronnie to watch the team evolve, and for those of us who remain, we feel privileged to have worked alongside Ronnie as part of a 61-year history of Glencoe Mountain Rescue.
“We all hope Ronnie enjoys his retirement but also hope he still puts the bins out and let me know if there’s lights coming off the hill outside his lounge window.”
Conversation