"Mountain Skills" was set up in 1995 with Alan Crichton as Principal providing quality Professional Mountaineering Services with an emphasis on promoting enjoyment and fitness from the hills with safety a prime consideration. Prevention of accidents always being better than the cure, "Mountain Skills" has put together a programme of Courses and Classes. These are open to all hill users, whether they be experienced walkers, wishing to learn a few new skills or brush up on old ones, or newcomers to the pastime wishing to pick up skills from scratch. Courses are run by appropriately qualified and experienced instructors and all participants are covered by a limited Personal Insurance Policy. All course fees include instruction, Insurance and use of specialised equipment.

Alan is also personally offering his services as a leader for guided walks in the Grampian area and also in most other hill areas of Scotland. It would appear that there are a substantial number of hillwalkers and visitors, together with people from not so far afield who perhaps do not have the confidence or skills necessary to cope with all situations which our local hills can present us with. Most sizes of party can be catered for.

Current media attention to the risks of "going to the hills" has gone a fair way to reminding even the most experienced amongst us that the Scottish weather can be very fickle and we must be prepared for every eventuality. Substantial snowfields are not uncommon on the arctic like Cairngorm plateau even in midsummer where hill fog can still present whiteout conditions; a test for even the most competent of mountaineers.

Alan Crichton has built up his experience based upon over twenty five years in the Scottish hills, walking and climbing in his local Cairngorms and Deeside hills, together with frequent visits to all other parts of Scotland. Yearly summer visits to the French and Swiss Alps since 1984 and expeditions to Nepal, The US & Kenya have also expanded this experience. Together with Mountain Leader and Single Pitch Rock Climbing Certification, Alan is also a qualified Senior First Aid Instructor and, given his commitment to Scottish Mountain Rescue since 1983, specialises in Mountain First Aid.