After years of devoted service during which he attended more than 1,500 call outs, Gerry Akroyd MBE stepped down yesterday as team leader of the Skye Mountain Rescue Team.
The move brought to an end his more than four decades of uninterrupted service in the role.
A good humoured Mr Akroyd said: “I’ve got my life back. I’m too old.
“It’s time to let the young ones get on with it. I am still going to be part of the team and will be able to offer advice accordingly.
“I’ll still be knocking around, but now if I can’t make it, I can’t make it.”
Neil Urquhart is taking over as team leader with James Stephenson in the deputy team leader role.
Mr Akroyd added: “Things have changed over the years and we have got a lot more rescues now with the influx of tourism on Skye, which requires a lot more time allotted to it.
“But they have been in the team long enough to see what’s going on.”
Mr Akroyd’s love of Skye and the Cuillins was ignited in 1962 upon his first visit to the isle, where he would later live, moving to Glenbrittle in 1972.
The experienced mountaineer then began offering expert guided walks through the renowned mountain ridge, providing summer and winter treks.
After joining the Skye Mountain Rescue Team 46 years ago, Mr Akroyd was appointed as team leader in 1975, a role he had continuously held until yesterday when he passed the baton on to his successors.
Mr Akroyd said: “It’s a 24-hour day, 365 days of the year. You never know when you’re going to have to go and rescue somebody, so suddenly you’ve got to drop everything and sort it out.”
Neil Urquhart, who will take over as Skye Mountain Rescue Team leader, said: “At the meeting the other night several people paid tribute, not just to what Gerry has achieved over the years, but to his commitment and dedication, which has been phenomenal. Nobody stays in charge of a public body for that long any more.”
Mr Akroyd was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list of 2010 for his services to mountain rescue.
During his tenure in charge he attended over 1,500 call-outs, usually leading teams in extremely difficult locations and conditions.
