The Hebrides Search and Rescue Team in training
Scotland’s newest mountain rescue team has got the seal of approval.
Hebrides Search and Rescue gained official affiliation to the Mountain Rescue Council of Scotland at its annual meeting at the weekend.
The team’s manager John Norfolk and team leader Tom Laverty travelled to the meeting at Glenmore Lodge, Aviemore, to hear the news.
Mr Laverty said: “It’s been a tremendous day for the team and I think we’re all a little bit relieved that the waiting is over and we have had such a positive result from the MRCofS.
“It’s been over three years since we started this work and we’ve put so much effort into making sure that HebSAR met all the requirements.
“Everyone has been so willing to help the team in getting to this stage, especially Chief Inspector Gordon Macleod from Northern Constabulary and Gordon Jamieson, the chief executive of NHS Western Isles and we’re grateful to them for their support.”
Stornoway-based Hebrides Search and Rescue was set up after first being mooted three years ago.
Before the 18-stong team was established, mountaineers in trouble had to rely on the Coastguard, mainland volunteer teams on Skye and in Kintail, Torridon and Assynt. The RAF rescue teams from Kinloss and Leuchars also covered emergencies in the Western Isles.
John Norfolk said: “Some time ago the police realised there was a gap in capability with regards to land-based search and rescue.
“We experience some of the worst weather in the British Isles out here and this was also a deciding factor in forming the team.”
The Hebrides team is the first new one in Scotland since the Oban team was set up 11 years ago. Tom Laverty previously served with Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, and fellow Hebrides team member Steve Oliver is a veteran of the Woodhead, Edale and Rossendale MRTs. All team members are keen climbers or walkers.
Mr Norfolk added: “Now that we are officially recognised, we’ll be able to start building the team’s capability with more training and raising the funds to ensure the team have the proper equipment to operate safely in the worst of the weather conditions which the Western Isles can throw at us.
“The costs involved in maintaining any search and rescue team are significant as the equipment has to be very sturdy indeed to deal with the conditions. We always rely on the support of both the local community and local businesses and we have had some welcome support from local business, in particular Johannes Engebresten in Stornoway.
“We hope to be able to continue to work with local businesses in the future.”
Hebrides Search and Rescue gained official affiliation to the Mountain Rescue Council of Scotland at its annual meeting at the weekend.
The team’s manager John Norfolk and team leader Tom Laverty travelled to the meeting at Glenmore Lodge, Aviemore, to hear the news.
Mr Laverty said: “It’s been a tremendous day for the team and I think we’re all a little bit relieved that the waiting is over and we have had such a positive result from the MRCofS.
“It’s been over three years since we started this work and we’ve put so much effort into making sure that HebSAR met all the requirements.
“Everyone has been so willing to help the team in getting to this stage, especially Chief Inspector Gordon Macleod from Northern Constabulary and Gordon Jamieson, the chief executive of NHS Western Isles and we’re grateful to them for their support.”
Stornoway-based Hebrides Search and Rescue was set up after first being mooted three years ago.
Before the 18-stong team was established, mountaineers in trouble had to rely on the Coastguard, mainland volunteer teams on Skye and in Kintail, Torridon and Assynt. The RAF rescue teams from Kinloss and Leuchars also covered emergencies in the Western Isles.
John Norfolk said: “Some time ago the police realised there was a gap in capability with regards to land-based search and rescue.
“We experience some of the worst weather in the British Isles out here and this was also a deciding factor in forming the team.”
The Hebrides team is the first new one in Scotland since the Oban team was set up 11 years ago. Tom Laverty previously served with Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, and fellow Hebrides team member Steve Oliver is a veteran of the Woodhead, Edale and Rossendale MRTs. All team members are keen climbers or walkers.
Mr Norfolk added: “Now that we are officially recognised, we’ll be able to start building the team’s capability with more training and raising the funds to ensure the team have the proper equipment to operate safely in the worst of the weather conditions which the Western Isles can throw at us.
“The costs involved in maintaining any search and rescue team are significant as the equipment has to be very sturdy indeed to deal with the conditions. We always rely on the support of both the local community and local businesses and we have had some welcome support from local business, in particular Johannes Engebresten in Stornoway.
“We hope to be able to continue to work with local businesses in the future.”
