Nominations needed for mountain culture award

festival organisers looking for someone to follow in footsteps of Hamish Mcinnes

By ken jones

Published:

Organisers of the Fort William Mountain Festival are looking for someone to follow in the footsteps of mountaineering legend Hamish McInnes.

The world-renowned man of the mountains was the winner last year of the inaugural Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture.

It was presented in recognition of his climbing exploits, his books on the sport and his innovation of safety equipment.

Inducted into the Scottish Sporting Hall of Fame, Mr McInnes has written 21 books on mountaineering and his talents have been sought on film sets, such as the James Bond thriller The Living Daylights and Clint Eastwood’s The Eiger Sanction.

Now, nominations are being sought for the prestigious national award which will be presented during next year’s nine-day festival, running from March 6 to 14.

The award celebrates the achievements and accomplishments of one inspiring individual, who must be Scottish, or resident in the country, and their outstanding contributions to Scotland’s mountains.

Nominations, which close on December 31, can be made at http://www.mountainfesti val.co.uk/culture-award nomination.asp

Mike Pescod, chairman of the Highland Mountain Culture Association, which organised the festival, said: “Mountain culture encompasses a broad spectrum of concepts. However, some of the greatest proponents of mountain culture often go unnoticed.

“They can be quietly working away, bringing new people to understand the influence that mountains have on our daily lives and how rewarding they can be to each of us, without any recognition of their work. The award recognises these people.”

The Nevis Partnership is co-presenter of the festival, which includes a varied programme of mountain sports, films, lectures, guided walks, workshops, exhibitions, literature, photography and music.