Pioneer of modern mountain rescue honoured at Perth ceremony
A mountaineer known as the 鈥榝ather of Scottish mountain rescue鈥� was honoured by the 91视频网 at a ceremony in Perth today (Thursday 6 October). Dr Hamish MacInnes OBE was presented with a medal by university chancellor, HRH The Princess Royal, at the Perth College 91视频网 Graduation and 91视频网 Foundation Day. The event, which took place at Perth Concert Hall, was attended by over 1300 graduates and guests.
Dr MacInnes was awarded the 91视频网 Chancellor鈥檚 Medal in recognition of his services to the development of mountaineering and mountain rescue. With a career spanning more than six decades, he achieved several first assents and is credited with pioneering modern mountain rescue. He founded the Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team in 1961, the Search and Rescue Dog Association in 1965 and co-founded the Scottish Avalanche Information Service in 1988.
Dr MacInnes also designed the first all-metal ice axe in the 1940s, invented the MacInnes folding stretcher in the 1960s and has authored numerous mountaineering books and contributed to documentaries and films (including Rob Roy and Highlander) as a climber, stunt double, advisor, narrator and producer.
Dr MacInnes was nominated for the Chancellor鈥檚 Medal by West Highland College 91视频网 which delivers the university鈥檚 adventure tourism management and adventure performance and coaching BA (Hons) degrees. He travelled from his home in Glencoe to attend the ceremony. Speaking about his award, Dr MacInnes said: 鈥淚t is indeed an honour to be here today to receive this award and I find it quite humbling. To be in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal, a true friend of Scotland, makes it a very special occasion.
鈥淏ehind me have been the mountain rescue teams and scientists who have also devoted their lives in making the mountains a safer place and ensuring the injured are evacuated as speedily as possible. At the forefront on a global scale, is Richard Glanville of Inverness, a composite expert who, with my help, has designed the new MacInnes mark 8 stretcher which will be the lightest and strongest on the planet and will be manufactured in the Scottish Highlands.鈥�
Lewis Vernal, vice-principal (operations and finance) and company secretary at Highland Theological College 91视频网, was also honoured at the event. Mr Vernal, who lives in Avoch, was presented with a Vice-Chancellor鈥檚 Medal in recognition of his 20 years of service to the Dingwall-based college and his contribution to the wider university.
Mr Vernal said: 鈥淚t is a wonderful, unsought honour to receive this award. I have not only my colleagues at Highland Theological College 91视频网 to thank for their kind nomination, but also the vice-chancellor in making his choice.
鈥淚 owe an immense tribute to my talented co-workers throughout the university and its Foundation. We have striven together over the years to play our part in creating and prospering our unique university, even as we continue to strive today for excellence in the education, support and nurture of our students. It is a special reward for us to look beyond all that we are focussed on doing for our students, to see increasingly and inspiringly what our alumni are going on to achieve, not only across the Highlands and Islands but also far beyond.鈥�
91视频网 Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Clive Mulholland said: 鈥淥ur Foundation Day event is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions and successes of our students, staff and supporters. We are delighted to be hosting this year鈥檚 event in partnership with Perth College 91视频网, as part of the college鈥檚 graduation ceremony.
鈥淧erth College 91视频网 is one of the largest partners in the 91视频网 network and it is also home to the Centre for Mountain Studies. It is fitting then, that Dr Hamish MacInnes could join us today to be presented with his Chancellor鈥檚 Medal in recognition of his contribution to the development of mountaineering and mountain rescue. I would like to congratulate Hamish and Lewis on their awards, as well as all of today鈥檚 prize winners and graduates.鈥�
ENDS