Kevin Howett, the legend of climbing development wins top mountain award
Organisers of The Fort William Mountain Festival are delighted to announce that Crieff based Kevin Howett, whose lifelong passion for climbing and his unparallelled achievements working with Mountaineering Scotland have been crucial to the development of climbing, mountaineering and hill walking in Scotland for more than 30 years, is the 18th recipient of The Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture, sponsored by JAHAMA Highland Estates.
As the first employee of Mountaineering Scotland, the representative body for hill walkers, climbers, mountaineers and snowsport tourers, Kevin Howett [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.
Kevin Howett said: “The Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture is unexpected and an honour given the calibre of previous recipients. 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 15 February 2025 with an award presentation and short film highlighting the significant contribution he has made to mountain culture. Kevin will appear alongside other climbers breaking barriers and going beyond to achieve. The event will include inspiring content from three members of the GB paraclimbing team; blind climber Jesse Dufton, together with 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 Howett 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 pushed for the development and funding of indoor climbing facilities that have introduced millions to the sport. He also instigated the provision of funding and opportunities for young people to access both recreational and sport climbing and was key to building sustainable coaching and youth development pathways.
As a die-hard climber since 1973, when he couldn’t figure out a carabiner, so just went solo climbing instead, Kevin Howett has inspired countless climbers with his climbing obsession and legendary exploits. In the early years when at Exeter University he started coming to Scotland for the winter climbing. While in Scotland he connected with Dave Cuthbertson and Gary Latter, and this 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 onsight 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, sponsor of the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture, commented: “As the regular sponsors of this prestigious award for Excellence in Mountain Culture, we are absolutely thrilled that Kevin Howett has been recognised for his commitment and dedication to promoting and encouraging responsible access across the mountains and wilderness areas of Scotland. His 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.
“JAHAMA Highland Estates greatly values, in particular, the hugely significant impact of Kev’s passion for inspiring the next generation of young Scottish climbers, supporting their transition from indoor to outdoor climbing and facilitating their journey to the highest levels of performance sport and access to Olympic success. Kev’s on-going dedication to the wider climbing community resonates strongly with our own company values of family, change and sustainability.”
Mountaineering Scotland CEO, Stuart Younie, said: “I was delighted to hear that Kev has been nominated to receive the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture 2025. He was the first and only employee of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland when appointed back in the late 1980’s. Over a career spanning 35 years he has contributed to climbing and mountaineering in Scotland few people can match.
“His achievements extend beyond his work in a professional capacity and like many young climbers starting out his select guide “Rock Climbing in Scotland” was on my essential reading list. Although he did venture onto snow and ice, I think it’s fair to say his first love was summer rock and he has an incredible list of new routes and first ascents to his name.
“Kev was responsible for opening up countless new crags and as a member of the SMC is still very involved in producing the guidebooks which help climbers to explore and enjoy the areas, he and others have been involved in developing. It was a pleasure to work with him over the last few years before he retired from Mountaineering Scotland, and I never tired of hearing his stories about everything he was involved in over the years and his encyclopaedic knowledge of climbing in Scotland is sorely missed. Many congratulations Kev, well deserved!”