Organisers of The Fort William Mountain Festival are delighted to announce that Crieff-based Kevin Howett, whose lifelong passion for climbing and his unparallelled achievements working with Mountaineering Scotland have been crucial to the development of climbing, mountaineering and hill walking in Scotland for more than 30 years, is the 18th recipient of The Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture, sponsored by JAHAMA Highland Estates.

As the first employee of Mountaineering Scotland, the representative body for hill walkers, climbers, mountaineers and snowsport tourers, Kevin Howett [now retired] dedicated his 35-year career to the delivery of the most consequential changes to policy and initiatives development and legislation for the benefit of the entire Scottish climbing and hill walking community, arguably more than any other individual.

Kevin Howett said: “The Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture is unexpected and an honour given the calibre of previous recipients. Scotland’s mountains have given me so much. To have the part I have played in contributing to the story over the past 50 years recognised is something I am profoundly grateful for and proud of.” 

Kevin’s career will be celebrated at the Fort William Mountain Festival Climbing Night on Saturday 15 February 2025 with an award presentation and short film highlighting his significant contribution to mountain culture. Kevin will appear alongside other climbers breaking barriers and going beyond to achieve. The event will include inspiring content from three members of the GB para climbing team; blind climber Jesse Dufton, with James Rudge and Joanna Newton who both climb internationally despite the loss of a limb.

In his fight for mountain conservation and access rights Kevin Howett was pivotal in the development of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and bringing it into law.  Through the formation of the Scottish Climbing Advisory Group and the Mountain Safety Group, he ensured that everyone can experience and enjoy the mountains safely. He pushed for the development and funding of indoor climbing facilities that have introduced millions to the sport.  He also instigated the provision of funding and opportunities for young people to access both recreational and sport climbing and was key to building sustainable coaching and youth development pathways. [See notes to editors for a full list of his achievements]

As a die-hard climber since 1973, when he couldn’t figure out a carabiner, so he just went solo climbing instead, Kevin Howett has inspired countless climbers with his climbing obsession and legendary exploits.  In the early years when at Exeter University he started coming to Scotland for winter climbing. While in Scotland he connected with Dave Cuthbertson and Gary Latter, and this competitive little power team was formed, mainly repeating and developing a vast number of Scotland’s hardest climbs. This also encouraged him to make his move to Scotland.

Howett made close to 1000 First Ascents, up to E7 and Winter VII,7 including many onsight first ascents of E6. He has also made over 3,500 solo climbs up to E5 (many by accident!).

Anna Danby, The Fort William Mountain Festival co-ordinator, said: ‘It’s always inspiring to hear the stories of people who have achieved great things in the mountains, but this award requires individuals to have gone beyond just personal achievement. Winners need to have put considerable energy into sharing their passion, opening up the outdoors for all and contributing to the mountain community as a whole. Kevin Howett has more than fulfilled all these criteria and it is an honour to be able to recognise his efforts and share his story at the festival.’

Ruaridh Macdonald, Head of Estate Management and Development, JAHAMA Highland Estates, sponsor of the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture, commented: “As the regular sponsors of this prestigious award for Excellence in Mountain Culture, we are absolutely thrilled that Kevin Howett has been recognised for his commitment and dedication to promoting and encouraging responsible access across the mountains and wilderness areas of Scotland.   His selfless commitment to representing the diverse and wide-ranging interests of the mountaineering, walking, skiing, and climbing communities over the last 35 years is truly inspirational.

“JAHAMA Highland Estates [part of Alvance British Aluminium, based in Lochaber] greatly values, in particular, the hugely significant impact of Kev’s passion for inspiring the next generation of young Scottish climbers, supporting their transition from indoor to outdoor climbing and facilitating their journey to the highest levels of performance sport and access to Olympic success.  Kev’s ongoing dedication to the wider climbing community resonates strongly with our company values of family, change and sustainability.”

Mountaineering Scotland CEO, Stuart Younie, said: “I was delighted to hear that Kev has been nominated to receive the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture 2025. He was the first and only employee of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland when appointed back in the late 1980’s.  Over a career spanning 35 years he has contributed to climbing and mountaineering in Scotland few people can match.

“His achievements extend beyond his work in a professional capacity and like many young climbers starting out his select guide “Rock Climbing in Scotland” was on my essential reading list.  Although he did venture onto snow and ice, I think it’s fair to say his first love was summer rock and he has an incredible list of new routes and first ascents to his name.

“Kev was responsible for opening up countless new crags and as a member of the SMC is still very involved in producing the guidebooks which help climbers to explore and enjoy the areas, he and others have been involved in developing. It was a pleasure to work with him over the last few years before he retired from Mountaineering Scotland, and I never tired of hearing his stories about everything he was involved in over the years and his encyclopaedic knowledge of climbing in Scotland is sorely missed. Many congratulations Kev, well deserved!”

Ends

Images:

A selection of images can be downloaded from Dropbox. Please credit photographers – https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/b7vxv3hq1isvimvavy1wl/AMTx1ZW-_LD8JOhuiFo0Fhw?rlkey=wjsgume9y159b94iq3qc5voz8&st=t1bhety0&dl=0

Notes to Editors:

Kevin Howett

In his career with Mountaineering Scotland spanning 35 years, Kevin Howett, the recipient of The Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture 2025, played a pivotal role in driving forward instrumental change in the mountaineering sector that includes:

• The development of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) and bringing it into law.
• The formation of the Scottish Climbing Advisory Group and the Mountain Safety Group; producing resources, lectures and training courses for mountain safety.
• Raising awareness and major funding for path repair and trailhead access infrastructure across Scotland.
• Drawing up funding criteria for SportScotland to determine where facility funding was spent and securing millions for climbing wall infrastructure projects.
• The development of the entire coaching pathway in the UK. The original Fundamentals of Climbing courses, run between Mountaineering Scotland and the British Mountaineering Council, formed the foundation that Mountain Training then built the coaching pathway upon; the coaching pathway that delivered the UK an Olympic Gold Medal in 2024.
• The organisation of the first youth climbing competitions in Scotland, and from this the development of a competitive pathway that spans from grass-roots to elite national competitions.
• The development of the ClimbScotland RealRock programme, providing opportunities for young people to try outdoor climbing and learn the skills they need to become competent, safe and independent climbers.
• The development of the Nesting Bird guidance for climbing.
• Drawing up the first Bolting Guidance in Scotland following wide community consultation.
• Securing funding for an Expedition Grant for young climbers.

Further information can be found on two ScotRock podcasts – https://scotrock.podbean.com/ and on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2cSxkZh2PY

The Fort William Mountain Festival 2025 runs from Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 February 2025. 

• Website – https://mountainfestival.co.uk
• Instagram – @mountainfestival
• Facebook – @mountainfestival
• YouTube – @fortwilliammountainfestiva7043

The Scottish Awards for Excellence in Mountain Culture

The prestigious Scottish Awards for Excellence in Mountain Culture recognises the achievements and accomplishments of inspiring individuals and their outstanding contributions to Scotland’s outdoor culture, encompassing sport, theatre, art, photography, film and literature.

The award was set up in 2008 by the Highland Mountain Culture Association Ltd, organisers of the Fort William Mountain Festival.  The 2025 Award is sponsored by JAHAMA Highland Estates. The Youth Award, established in 2015, is sponsored by UHI North, West and Hebrides (School of Adventure Studies).

Previous Recipients of The Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture and Ambassadors:2024 – Lee Craigie

• 2023 – David ‘Heavy’ Whalley MBE BEM
• 2022 – Karen Darke
• 2021 – Dave Morris
• 2020 – Colin Prior
• 2019 – Noel Williams
• 2018 – Cameron McNeish
• 2017 – Dr Hamish Brown MBE
• 2016 – Mick Tighe
• 2015 – Robin Campbell
• 2014 – Andy Nisbet
• 2013 – Myrtle Simpson DL
• 2012 – Dr Adam Watson
• 2011 – Ian ‘Spike’ Sykes MBE
• 2010 – Jimmy Marshall
• 2009 – Richard Else
• 2008 – Dr Hamish MacInnes OBE BEM

Previous Recipients of The Scottish Youth Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture:

• 2024 – Caitlin Connor
• 2023 – Stephanie McKenna
• 2022 – Kirsty Muir
• 2021 – Mikayla Parton
• 2020 – Tim Miller
• 2019 – Rob Cochrane
• 2018 – Shauna Coxsey
• 2017 – Robert Mackenzie
• 2016 – Natalie Berry
• 2015 – Zeki Basan

The Fort William Mountain Festival 2025

The main events will be staged at The Nevis Centre, with other events at satellite venues in and around the bustling Highland town of Fort William, at the heart of the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK’. Satellite venues include The Highland Cinema and Three Wise Monkeys indoor climbing centre.  The Festival Launch Night will take place at the Highland Cinema. Venues for the Explore Events can be found on the website.

The Festival attracts up to 1500 people over four days and takes place each February in and around the town of Fort William.

The Fort William Mountain Festival 2025 tickets can be bought online.  Please go to https://mountainfestival.co.uk/tickets/events/ for the full programme. Festival tickets can sell out in advance, particularly for the popular nights.

The Fort William Mountain Festival 2025  is sponsored by Outdoor Capital of the UK, Ellis Brigham, Patagonia, Montane, Alvance & Jahama Highland Estates,  UHI North, West & Hebrides, and the Highland Bookshop, with many and varied local friends and supporters.

Festival organisers – The Highland Mountain Culture Association Limited, is a not-for-profit organisation, that promotes the understanding and appreciation of the world’s mountain places and people, by creating opportunities for people of all ages to share their mountain experiences, ideas and visions. To showcase these ideals, it stages annually a programme of events within the Lochaber area including the Fort William Mountain Festival and the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture. The Festival is organised by a dynamic organising committee, who are all volunteers and made up of a team of hard-working local outdoor enthusiasts.

The Outdoor Capital of the UK is Lochaber Chamber of Commerce’s tourism brand, promoting adventure for all!  The Chamber publicises, sponsors and promotes Fort William and Lochaber as the best place in the UK for everyone to experience the outdoors; develop local jobs and wealth and encourage sustainable economic growth. This is done through a range of collaborative marketing initiatives and activities.  The organisation currently has a wide selection of member businesses ranging from accommodation, food and drink and activity providers to non-tourism-focused businesses that support the aims of the Lochaber Chamber of Commerce and acknowledge that tourism is crucial to the local economy. Many of these businesses are SMEs and by pulling resources and working as a team the Lochaber Chamber of Commerce achieves the positive results that individually the members couldn’t otherwise reach. The Chamber also produces the Outdoor Capital of the UK website, the go to site for local events, outdoor activities and visitor accommodation in the area.  www.outdoorcapital.co.uk / www.lochaberchamber.co.uk.