Police rescue team highlights weather hazards in Angus glens

The force has, however, warned anyone taking to the hills to ensure that they are prepared for the unpredictable nature of the Scottish weather and make sure they are properly equipped to meet challenges they might face.

It follows a recent increase in the number of incidents on hills across the Tayside region when sudden changes in the weather have caught some hill-goers off guard and they have found themselves in need of assistance.

In order to try and help keep visitors to Tayside’s hills as safe as possible, Tayside Division’s MRT leader Constable Paul Morgan has issued advice to anyone taking to the hills this summer.

The team mounted a training exercise recently in Glen Clova.

Constable Morgan said: “As hillwalkers and climbers ourselves, members of my team and the wonderful volunteers of Tayside Mountain Rescue Team pray for good weather like everyone else when we take to the hills, however we live on an island where the conditions in the summer can deliver all four seasons in one day.

“Training in Glen Clova, the day started dry, clear and bright with light winds on the summits above 800 metres. This continued until early afternoon when high winds, thick mist and cold rainy conditions took hold, meaning visibility very quickly reduced to less than 20 metres at the same altitude.

“This change can clearly be seen in the photos we took on the day, but because we had assessed the mountain weather forecasts before we started to train, we were all prepared in advance to deal with whatever came our way".

Constable Morgan summed up by emphasising that preparation begins before leaving home.

He added: “Being prepared for a fun and enjoyable mountain day requires not only hill skills and proper understanding of the equipment carried, but also some homework to be done around the weather.

“Look for dedicated mountain weather forecasts online, such as Mountain Weather Information Service, before leaving home to give you the full picture of what to expect and help you get the most out of our countryside”.