At the AGM of Mountaineering Scotland at the weekend, Anne Butler was elected to serve as the organisation's President. She is the first woman to hold the post.

"I am extremely proud to be elected as President of Mountaineering Scotland and honoured to be the first woman to hold the position" she told us.

"I fell in love with the mountains during a trip to Scotland in 1998, and I had no idea then how hillwalking would shape my life over the next 25 years.

"Hillwalking has kept me physically and mentally strong and I have developed a deep connection with the landscape and the natural environment. I now feel it is time to give something back.

"I look at the days spent on the hills as time well spent; time that has improved my confidence and wellbeing. Using my own personal experiences, I would like to show that despite any self perceived barriers, women of any age and athletic ability should not be deterred from accessing the hills. I am keen to act as a role model to encourage women of all ages to safely explore and enjoy the Scottish mountains by advocating that the hills are a place to be shared by all." 

"I believe that my passion and enthusiasm for the Scottish hills and my extensive hill walking experience will be beneficial to Mountaineering Scotland" she said.

Anne is one of Scotland's most prolific hill baggers, and has served in past years as President of the Munro Society.

She completed an SMC Full House - the Munros, Munro Tops, Corbetts, Grahams, Donalds, and Furths - in 2018, and in September this year finished a second one for good measure, making her the 4th person and the first woman to complete a 2nd SMC Full House. She's already halfway through her third! And in 2022 her dog Ralph became the first canine known to have walked a Graham round:

Stuart Younie, CEO of Mountaineering Scotland has welcomed the vote.

"I'm absolutely delighted that members have voted to approve the appointment of Anne Butler as the first female President" he said.

"Anne's achievements in the hillwalking community are second to none and she continues to be an inspiration for both new and seasoned hill baggers alike. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge gained over many years traveling and walking all over Scotland and I look forward to working with her to promote the work we do at Mountaineering Scotland to a wider and more diverse audience."

Anne takes over from Brian Shackleton, who stepped down as President after Saturday's AGM.

Stuart added: "I would like to thank Brian personally for the wise counsel, support and guidance he has provided to myself and the rest of the Mountaineering Scotland team over the last four years.

"His leadership of the Board helped steer the organisation though the difficulties of the pandemic to a strong recovery with our highest ever membership."