Safety in the Hills

The Scottish mountains in winter can present certain risks. You should be prepared to overcome possible difficulties:

• Know the weather forecast  

• Know the avalanche risks 

• Have the correct equipment for the conditions including a head torch 

• Carry an ice axe and crampons if there is even the slightest possibility of icy terrain 

• Carry an emergency shelter

• Know how to navigate accurately in all conditions 

• Know when to escape from the hills and when to adopt defensive tactics to cut the risks

• Travel in groups 

• Ensure someone knows your route plans and expected return times 

The Mountaineering Scotland website has a number of pages on skills and safety in the mountains.

Route Cards

Leave a route card with the meet organiser. You must let them know you have got off the mountain safely at the end of the day. See the Mountaineering Scotland Route Cards page for further advice.

Rescue Services

If you can reasonably get off the mountain in daylight you should do so. If you are properly equipped to survive a night on the hill think carefully before calling help. If not:

• ​Phone 112 or 999 and ask for 'Police, Mountain Rescue'

• You may have to climb up to get reception if none of the phones in the group can get a signal

• In areas with very weak mobile phone signal you will have to send a text (SMS message).

• The best way to do this is to register beforehand by sending a text as described

• It’s simple to do: just text the word ‘register’ to 999. You will get a reply and should then follow the instructions you are sent. This will take about two minutes of your time and could save your life.

If you have to call Mountain Rescue make sure you have the most accurate information including:

• Location of the incident (grid reference, map sheet number, name of mountain area and description of the terrain)

• Number of people in the party 

• Names of casualties and their condition

Be ready to provide the following additional information:

• Telephone number of the phone you are using and any other phones in the group

• The nature and time of the incident – what happened?

• Weather conditions including wind speed and visibility at the accident site

• Equipment which you have at the accident site (warm clothing, group shelter etc)

• Any distinguishing feature/marker/colour at the accident site

• Location from where you are phoning (if different from accident site)

• Do not point lights of any kind directly at rescue helicopters as they are normally equipped with night vision equipment

If you don’t know where you are, there is still a lot of information you can give within your message:

• Where did you last know your location?

• How long since you were there?

• What mountain are you on?

• What is the ground like around you – grass, boulders, steep, gentle?

• What is the compass bearing directly down the slope?

• Are you in cloud?

• Is the wind blowing up, down or across the hill?

• What is your best guess at your location?

​The standard distress signals

​The standard distress signal is six short blasts on a whistle or flashes on a torch repeated at intervals of one minute.

​If you see some one signalling you should not reply to their signal, as you, or the rescue team, may rely on them continuing to signal to help locate them.