Glenmore Lodge, one of the partners in the new scheme

Scotland’s mountaineering body has launched a major push to promote climbing.

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland is teaming up with climbing wall owners north of the border to develop sport climbing, which has recently been recognised by Olympic authorities.

The Scottish Climbing Wall Network hopes to bring climbing to a wider audience. School participation, increased support for novice climbers and better development up to elite performers at the top of the sport.

Traditional climbing and mountaineering will also feature in the climbing development network. A children’s award, the National Indoor Climbing Achievement Scheme is now running.

Among venues included in the network are the national outdoor centre at Glenmore Lodge, the world’s biggest indoor wall at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, Ratho, and The Ice Factor at Kinlochleven, the UK’s biggest indoor ice wall.

Seven other walls have joined the partnership.

A spokesman for the MCofS said: “This is an exciting time for climbing, with Olympic recognition of the International Federation for Sport Climbing, increasing awareness of the benefits of climbing as a more active life style, both for children, and as a life-long activity.”

In August, Everest mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington told grough climbing would make an excellent Olympic sport. Speaking on the day the UK officially took over the Olympic baton, he said: “Climbing is a very broad church and there is, of course, competition climbing. And it’s very active and very healthy and it’s great to watch. I know the British Mountaineering Council and the UIAA, the international climbing body, have pushed for competitive climbing. So, from that point of view, it could certainly become one.”