Inverlochy’s Rob wins prestigious youth award
A volunteer ranger, volunteer Cub and Scout group leader, and a Duke of Edinburgh leader from Inverlochy has won the prestigious Scottish Youth Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture in 2019, as part of the Fort William Mountain Festival.
A keen Scout leader, Rob Cochrane has done much to expand the organisation’s activities in Fort William.
Having moved to the area from Aberfeldy to study Adventure Tourism Management at West Highland College, he got involved in the local Cub and Scout group.
Starting out in a volunteer role he has now taken over as leader and has grown the group as a whole in all areas of Scouting. He often spends his spare time fixing and upgrading the local hall in Kilmallie.
Rob is also a regular Duke of Edinburgh leader and has worked as a trainee volunteer ranger with Nevis Landscape Partnership.
Rob recently graduated from West Highland College with a first in Adventure Performance and Coaching.
On being told of the award, he said: ‘It means an awful lot to receive this award. I really love these mountains: I love living and working in them and sharing them with others.
‘It is truly humbling to have been given this award, and I would like to thank my friends and family who have helped me become who I am. I would also like to thank the festival committee for its hard work behind the scenes.’
Rod Pashley, chairman of the Highland Mountain Culture Association, which runs the Fort William Mountain Festival, said: ‘Rob is such an excellent example of a young person getting involved and inspiring younger generations in not only Scouting activities but the broader aspects of mountain life.
‘We’re delighted to be able to recognise Rob’s achievements so far and look forward to all that is to come.’
Rachel Bradley, who nominated Rob for the award, said she had put his name forward for dedicating much of his time to both looking after and teaching others about the amazing landscapes we’re lucky enough to call home.
‘His many years volunteering as a Scout leader and his constant encouragement to others to get outside and appreciating wild places is commendable. With his love of bush craft and practical mind, he is the next Ray Mears in the making,’ she said.
Marc Wilson, marketing manager at Gael Force Boat Building, added: ‘Gael Force Boat Building in Corpach wishes to express its sincere congratulations to Robert Cochrane on his award win, which is thoroughly deserved given his incredible dedication to local outdoor activities as a volunteer and through Duke of Edinburgh leadership.’
The Scottish Youth Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture, sponsored jointly by Gael Force Group and the Nevis Landscape Partnership/ Heritage Lottery Fund, will be presented to Rob at a special ceremony on February 23, during the Fort William Mountain Festival 2019, which runs in and around Fort William and Lochaber, the Outdoor Capital of the UK, from February 20 to 24.
The award is sponsored by the Gael Force Group, which acquired Corpach Boat Building Company in October 2018 and is to be renamed Gael Force Boat Building.
‘With his love of bush craft ... he is the next Ray Mears’