Following a recent AGM, our team has welcomed a new team leader – Lara Hinde.

Lara takes the reins over from Neil Ross, who managed the post for the last 7 years and has served with the team for over 22 years. As Team Leader, Neil particularly relished being actively involved in running shouts, always with a mind to using team resources (volunteers and equipment) sensibly and safely. His future plans involve retiring from work next year and doing some travelling with his partner, Amanda. Neil intends to remain as a volunteer and will continue to be an enormous asset to the Team.

As the new Team Leader, Lara herself brings a wealth of experience to the role and has been a volunteer with Kintail Mountain Rescue since 2006.

After spending several years working as an Architect, managing design teams on urban regeneration projects and living in Santiago, Chile, San Francisco, USA and then London, Lara got the bug for the outdoors and moved to the NW Highlands in 2005. She subsequently developed a career outdoor education, and now works as a lecturer at the School of Adventure Studies, UHI West Highland.

Lara is looking forward to being of service to the Team and driving our aspiration to build a new base that will help us take full advantage of advances in first aid, vehicles and digital technology so that we can be even more effective.

From all of us at Kintail Mountain Rescue Team, we would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Neil for his exemplary leadership over his term – we wish you all the best in your future endeavours and travels.

A hearty congratulations and welcome to Lara as the first female Team Leader of Kintail Mountain Rescue Team.