MWIS Funding

I returned from the Cairngorms to find this kind letter in my inbox. What nice folk we have in our Parliament. Hurray for Holyrood.

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Dear Mr MacLeod

Stewart Maxwell has asked me to thank you for your email and to let you know that he has taken the decision to provide £36,000 per annum, over the next 3 years, to support the Mountain Weather Information Service.  Mr Maxwell is well aware of the pressures that the service operated under and the failure of the previous administration to provide funding for this vital service.   The areas covered will be: North-West Highlands; West Highlands; Cairngorms; South-East Highlands and Southern Uplands.

Below is an extract from the press release which was issued by the Scottish Government on this subject:

"The Minister said:
"Thousands of climbers already rely on the Mountain Weather Information Service for accurate information about conditions on Scotland's mountains.
"It is therefore absolutely vital we have a reliable mountain weather service to reassure walkers they have the best information at their fingertips."
"That's why I'm announcing that this service will be fully funded by the Scottish Government, through sportscotland, for the first time from this winter season.
"I want to applaud Geoff Monk and his colleagues for their selfless work to date in helping to ensure the safety of all those who make use of our wonderful natural environment."
Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said:
"We are pleased to invest in the Mountain Weather Information Service which we see as a fundamental resource for walkers and climbers. With more people enjoying Scotland's hills and mountains every year, it is essential that they are well prepared and hopefully this service will go a long way to ensuring people's safety."
Best wishes

Mary Stevenson (for Stewart Maxwell)

Mary Stevenson
Parliamentary Researcher