Legend of climbing development wins top mountain award
Organisers of The Fort William Mountain Festival have announced that Crieff-based Kevin Howett is the 18th recipient of The Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture sponsored by JAHAMA Highland Estates.
Kevin’s lifelong passion for climbing and his unparalleled achievements working with Mountaineering Scotland have been crucial to the development of climbing, mountaineering and hill walking in Scotland for more than 30 years.
As the first employee of Mountaineering Scotland Kevin, now retired, dedicated his 35-year career to the delivery of the most consequential changes to policy and initiatives development and legislation for the benefit of the entire Scottish climbing and hill walking community, arguably more than any other individual.
"The Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture is unexpected and an honour given the calibre of previous recipients," he said.
"Scotland’s mountains have given me so much. To have the part I have played in contributing to the story over the past 50 years recognised, is something I am profoundly grateful for and proud of."
Kevin’s career will be celebrated at the Fort William Mountain Festival Climbing Night on Saturday February 15 with an award presentation and short film highlighting the significant contribution he has made to mountain culture.
He will appear alongside other climbers breaking barriers and going beyond to achieve and the event will include inspiring content from three members of the GB paraclimbing team; blind climber Jesse Dufton and James Rudge and Joanna Newton who both climb internationally despite the loss of a limb.
In his fight for mountain conservation and access rights Kevin was pivotal in the development of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and bringing it into law.
Through the formation of the Scottish Climbing Advisory Group and the Mountain Safety Group he ensured that everyone can experience and enjoy the mountains safely.
He also pushed for the development and funding of indoor climbing facilities that have introduced millions to the sport and instigated the provision of funding and opportunities for young people to access both recreational and sport climbing.
As a die-hard climber since 1973, Kevin has inspired countless others.
In the early years when at Exeter University he started coming to Scotland for the winter climbing and connected with Dave Cuthbertson and Gary Latter. A competitive little power team was formed, mainly repeating and developing a vast number of Scotland’s hardest climbs. This also encouraged him to make his move to Scotland.
Howett made close to 1000 First Ascents, up to E7 and Winter VII,7 including many on sight first ascents of E6. He has also made over 3,500 solo climbs up to E5 (many by accident!).
Anna Danby, The Fort William Mountain Festival co-ordinator, said: "It’s always inspiring to hear the stories of people who have achieved great things in the mountains, but this award requires individuals to have gone beyond just personal achievement.
"Winners need to have put considerable energy into sharing their passion, opening up the outdoors for all and contributing to the mountain community as a whole. Kevin Howett has more than fulfilled all these criteria and it is an honour to be able to recognise his efforts and share his story at the festival."
Ruaridh Macdonald, Head of Estate Management and Development, JAHAMA Highland Estates commented: "Kevin’s selfless commitment to representing the diverse and wide-ranging interests of the mountaineering, walking, skiing, and climbing communities over the last 35 years is truly inspirational.
"His on-going dedication to the wider climbing community resonates strongly with our own company values of family, change and sustainability."
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