A WOMAN has been appointed chair of Mountaineering Scotland for the first time in the organisation’s history.
The group, which represents hillwalkers, climbers, mountaineers and ski tourers in Scotland, named Anne Butler as president in November, who became the first woman to hold the post.
Now, just months after Butler’s appointment, Jo Dytch has been voted in unanimously by the board as chair.
Dytch has been director of clubs at Mountaineering Scotland for the past six years and is the first woman to hold the post of chair.
She said: “I'm delighted to be appointed as the chair of Mountaineering Scotland.
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“Working alongside the board and wider staff team over the last few years has been a huge privilege, and one I take great pride in being part of.
“Personally, hill walking in Scotland is a passion of mine, and I love exploring our wild places.
“Over the last few years, we have seen a real shift in the number of women joining us, heading to the hills and taking part in our skills courses.
"I'm thrilled to be part of that movement, both as a member of the board and as a woman who loves spending time in the Scottish mountains.”
Butler (below), who recently became the first-known woman to undertake two full rounds of the Munros, Munro Tops, Corbetts, Grahams, Donalds and Furths – known as a “full house” – said she hoped to act as a role model for other women curious about mountaineering.
“I am extremely proud to be elected as president of Mountaineering Scotland and honoured to be the first woman to hold the position.
“Over the last 25 years, hillwalking has kept me physically and mentally strong and I have developed a deep connection with the mountain landscape. I now feel it is time to give something back.
“I believe that time spent amongst the hills and mountains will improve a person’s resilience, self-confidence, and well-being, and I am keen to show that women of any age and athletic ability can access the hills.
“I would like to act as a role model and use my own personal experiences to help and support women to overcome the real and self-imposed barriers that may be deterring them from enjoying time in the mountains.”
Chief executive of Mountaineering Scotland, Stuart Younie, added: “Our AGM in 2023 was a milestone in the history of our organisation.
“Not only did members vote to approve our updated equality, diversity, and inclusion policy, but they also voted to appoint the first woman as president of Mountaineering Scotland, while the board of directors voted unanimously to appoint our first female chair.
“I couldn’t think of a better advocate for encouraging people to get into the hills than Anne Butler, and I have seen the positive impact Jo Dytch has made over the last six years in her role as director for clubs.
“I am looking forward to working with them both and excited to begin this new chapter in the history of Mountaineering Scotland.”
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