Climbing high at Dumfries House

Ayrshire youngsters are to be given a greater opportunity to engage in a new Olympic sport after a sports facility was given the green light to offer officially- recognised courses in climbing.

School pupils will be offered the chance to enrol on the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme ( NICAS), training under specialist instructors at the Tamar Manoukian Indoor Sports Centre at Dumfries House estate, near Cumnnock.

The climbing wall at Dumfries House, which extends to 64 feet high and 82 feet wide, allows users to engage in traversing and bouldering as well as top rope and lead rope styles of climbing.

The facility is well- used by people of all ages as part of visiting school classes, youth groups, and bookings by the members of the public.

The new accredited courses are likely to appeal to an even wider audience, promoting climbing development and offering recognition of individual achievement.

Richard Kay, manager of the Tamar Manoukian Outdoor Residential Centre, said: “Climbing is becoming more high- profile and will be introduced as an Olympic sport at Tokyo 2020, and we hope that the NICAS courses at Dumfries House will be seen as a starting point for people wishing to take up climbing and mountaineering.’’