Respect and Inclusion
Members, prospective members, and guests are expected to uphold the values, rules, Code of Conduct and other policies of the Club and Mountaineering Scotland. They are furthermore expected to promote and preserve the good reputation of the Club, treat all participants fairly and with dignity, courtesy and respect at all times, regardless of ability, experience, background, or personal characteristics.
The Club welcomes newcomers and strives to maintain an inclusive environment that encourages participation, so please use appropriate language and avoid discriminatory comments or behaviour, and respect different skill levels, fitness abilities, and personal boundaries, and consider how your own behaviour might affect others and consider what moderation of your own wants and needs might be appropriate.
Activity-Specific Responsibilities
Members are responsible for themselves on meets and participating in activities. Please make your enjoyment even more rewarding by carrying essential clothing, footwear, rucksacks, weather protection, safety equipment including navigation tools, first aid supplies, and emergency shelter. Check weather conditions and adjust your plans accordingly for your confidence levels and personal risk assessment, inform others of planned routes and expected return times (Meet Book), and respect access agreements and seasonal restrictions.
Activities and participant responsibilities
We operate on a collegiate basis. All participants are involved in decisions on their participation in activities, and for their interests should assess their own fitness and experience levels before proceeding with planned activities. Everyone has the authority to modify or cancel their involvement in activities based on safety considerations, weather, or group capability. Everyone can stop participating in activities in a safe and considerate manner by informing others of their decisions.
Whilst members may be willing and able to share experience and views on best practice, no one member is obliged to provide guidance and mentorship to less experienced members. Any advice or recommendations must be considered respectfully in the context of each participant’s abilities and attitude.
All members are required to act in a way that minimises risks to themselves or other participants.
All Participants
- Share collective responsibility for group welfare and safety.
- Should assist in maintaining group cohesion and safety.
- Must respect group decisions regarding safety and activity modifications.
- Are encouraged to develop their skills and knowledge while respecting their current limitations.
Safety and Risk Management
All activity participants are expected to follow health and safety protocols and avoid unnecessary risks that may affect themselves or others. They should attend properly prepared with appropriate equipment, clothing, and supplies for planned activities and conditions.
In order for meets to run smoothly, participants should always be sure what is planned and anticipated in any activities, consider how being on a meet affects them and other participants, and what information Club members should share about any medical conditions, injuries, or limitations that may affect participation. Participants should always feel able to communicate concerns about conditions or group decisions.
Each participant is responsible for themselves, but should support group safety by watching out for other members and by speaking up about hazards and risk evaluations of activities.
The meet book is used to focus activity planning. Each member is asked to contribute to the safety aspect of outdoor activities by recording their route plans before setting off, including expected time of return.
No member participating in a group activity should leave a group member alone or behind without ensuring their safety and wellbeing.
Environmental Responsibility
Members, and all participants are expected to follow the principles of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, respecting property, privacy of local residents, and the livelihood of landowners, practice Leave No Trace principles, minimise environmental impact, stay on designated paths where appropriate and respect sensitive areas.
Please properly dispose of all waste and leave locations as clean as or cleaner than found, respect wildlife, plants and natural features, and support conservation efforts and sustainable outdoor recreation.
Overnight meets
To enhance the enjoyment of every member attending overnight meets, participants must be respectful to each other and non-Club members sharing the accommodation. Accommodation and property rules must be followed, and the Outdoor Access Code must be respected when camping.
For all meets, the Club asks members to be considerate of each other and aim to keep noise levels down, particularly in the evenings and early mornings. When sharing communal spaces, personal belongings should be kept organised and tidy. It is expected that meet attendees are respectful of each other’s privacy, particularly in terms of changing clothes and the use of washrooms and toilets.
Members who know they have unusual sleep patterns, or have disruptive habits, medical needs, or personal habits that might affect others, should communicate these sensitively to organisers beforehand. Organisers may raise known concerns too with members who will be on the meet. It should be remembered that some issues and actions are involuntary and participants should exercise patience with each other and strive for compromise.
Ensure any alcohol or other legal intoxicant consumption is responsible and does not negatively impact other participants or planned activities. Illegal intoxicant use is NOT tolerated.
Personal relationships
Members are expected to keep personal relationship issues separate from Club activities and should remember that inappropriate displays of affection or conflict may make others feel uncomfortable.
