Mountain rescue team hopes to attract new recruits
The Arran Mountain Rescue Team (AMRT) welcomed members of the public to its annual open day on Saturday, September 19. It aimed to showcase the valuable work being done by volunteers, the specialised equipment they use and how the team oper- ates from their base at Claddach.
The open day was for anyone interested in the AMRT and to meet the team. Members were on hand to demonstrate how the equipment works and to answer any questions that people had.
Deputy team leader, Ewan McKinnon, explained: ‘The open day is mainly for the public to come and have a look at what we do here at the AMRT, but it also acts as a useful recruitment tool for people interested in joining the team. It is especially important, as this year has already proved to be one of the busiest on record, and we are always looking for new recruits to join. The team meets on the first Sunday of the month and, with additional training or kit-checking taking place on a Thursday, it should be possible for those, even with a busy schedule to join.’
One member who has been with the team for 36 years, Jake Kerr, joined when he was 17 and can remember when the base was situated near the fire station and did not even have a kettle for making a cup of tea after rescue operations.
As part of the open day, people were given the opportunity to join mountain leader qualified members on a guided tour to the popular Three Beinns walk or to climb Goatfell. Positions were limited and were very quickly taken up, some by people that Ewan hoped would be inter- ested in joining. Ewan went on to thank the public for all the support received over the years and to everyone who attended the open day.