Kevin Howett, who is credited with being a vital part of the development of climbing, mountaineering and hill walking in Scotland over some three decades, has become the latest winner of The Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture.
As the first employee of Mountaineering Scotland, the representative body for hill walkers, climbers, mountaineers and snowsport tourers, Kevin Howett, who is now retired, dedicated his 35-year career to the delivery of the most consequential changes to policy and initiatives development and legislation for the benefit of Scotland.
Over the past three decades, he played a pivotal role in driving forward instrumental change in the mountaineering sector that included:
· The development of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) and bringing it into law.
· The formation of the Scottish Climbing Advisory Group and the Mountain Safety Group; producing resources, lectures and training courses for mountain safety.
· Raising awareness and major funding for path repair and trailhead access infrastructure across Scotland.
· Drawing up funding criteria for SportScotland to determine where facility funding was spent and securing millions for climbing wall infrastructure projects.
· The development of the coaching pathway in the UK. The original Fundamentals of Climbing courses, run between Mountaineering Scotland and the British Mountaineering Council, formed the foundation that Mountain Training then built the coaching pathway upon; the coaching pathway that delivered the UK an Olympic Gold Medal in 2024.
· The organisation of the first youth climbing competitions in Scotland, and from this the development of a competitive pathway that spans from grass-roots to elite national competitions.
· The development of the ClimbScotland RealRock programme, providing opportunities for young people to try outdoor climbing and learn the skills they need to become competent, safe and independent climbers.
· The development of the Nesting Bird guidance for climbing.
· Drawing up the first Bolting Guidance in Scotland following wide community consultation.
· Securing funding for an Expedition Grant for young climbers.
Kevin wins Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture
Organisers of The Fort William Mountain Festival announced today that Kevin, of Crieff, is the 18th recipient of The Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture, which is sponsored by JAHAMA Highland Estates.
He said: “The Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture is unexpected and an honour given the calibre of previous recipients. Scotland’s mountains have given me so much.
“To have the part I have played in contributing to the story over the past 50 years recognised, is something I am profoundly grateful for and proud of.”
Kevin’s career will be celebrated at the Fort William Mountain Festival Climbing Night on Saturday February 15, 2025, with an award presentation and short film highlighting the significant contribution he has made to mountain culture.
Kevin will appear alongside other climbers breaking barriers and going beyond to achieve. The event will include inspiring content from three members of the GB para-climbing team; blind climber Jesse Dufton, together with James Rudge and Joanna Newton who both climb internationally despite the loss of a limb.
As well as his career highlights, Kevin has been an avid climber since 1973 and has inspired many others with his achievements.
Howett made close to 1000 First Ascents, up to E7 and Winter VII,7 including many on-sight first ascents of E6. He has also made over 3500 solo climbs up to E5.
Anna Danby, The Fort William Mountain Festival co-ordinator, said: “It’s always inspiring to hear the stories of people who have achieved great things in the mountains, but this award requires individuals to have gone beyond just personal achievement.
“Winners need to have put considerable energy into sharing their passion, opening up the outdoors for all and contributing to the mountain community as a whole. Kevin Howett has more than fulfilled all these criteria and it is an honour to be able to recognise his efforts and share his story at the festival.”
Mountaineering Scotland CEO, Stuart Younie, said: “I was delighted to hear that Kev has been nominated to receive the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture 2025. He was the first and only employee of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland when appointed back in the late 198’s. Over a career spanning 35 years, he has contributed to climbing and mountaineering in Scotland few people can match.
“His achievements extend beyond his work in a professional capacity and like many young climbers starting out his select guide, Rock Climbing in Scotland, was on my essential reading list. Although he did venture onto snow and ice, I think it’s fair to say his first love was summer rock and he has an incredible list of new routes and first ascents to his name.
“Kev was responsible for opening up countless new crags and as a member of the SMC is still very involved in producing the guidebooks which help climbers to explore and enjoy the areas, he and others have been involved in developing. It was a pleasure to work with him over the last few years before he retired from Mountaineering Scotland, and I never tired of hearing his stories about everything he was involved in over the years and his encyclopaedic knowledge of climbing in Scotland is sorely missed. Many congratulations Kev, it’s well deserved.”