Mountain Instructor Di Gilbert is among the speakers

Four new venues have been added for the annual series of winter safety lectures organised by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.

Tiso stores in Glasgow, Leith, Perth and Inverness will host lectures, along with the traditional talks at the Clachaig Inn in Glencoe and the Mountain Cafe at Aviemore.

The 21 free lectures will be delivered by 12 speakers who aim to entertain and educate their audiences about winter mountain safety.

The lectures begin next month, kicking off with Nick Carter delivering a talk at the Mountain Cafe on 12 January.

MCofS mountain safety adviser Heather Morning said: “All of our speakers have spent many years in the mountains and will draw on their own experience to illustrate hard lessons learnt.”

Each presentation will last about 45 minutes and there will be opportunity at the end of each evening for questions.

The council’s chief officer David Gibson added: “Whilst these lectures entertain, they have a serious purpose. The number of mountaineering incidents is increasing due to more people enjoying the hills in varying and testing conditions.  Our aim is to offer expert advice, and so help people enjoy the hills with a better understanding of how to tackle winter conditions – advice that one day could be invaluable.”

Speakers include Adele Pennington, Cameron McNeish, David ‘Heavy’ Whalley, Roger Wild, Tamsin Gay, George McEwan, Simon Steer, Rosie Goolden, Di Gilbert, Tom Gilchrist and Stuart Johnston.

The lectures are being sponsored by Buff, and at every lecture the audience can enter a free draw to win a Polar Buff worth £23.

Details of the venues and dates are on the Mountaineering Council of Scotland website and can also be obtained from Heather Morning on 01479 861 241.