Heather McAslan

What is your role? 

I am ClimbScotland’s Competition Officer – I organise and deliver the annual series of Youth and Adult indoor climbing competitions across Scotland. I also work with our counterparts at the BMC and Mountaineering Ireland to coordinate events across the British Isles and beyond. 

What made you want to join the ClimbScotland team? 

I have a background directing and running music & dance festivals and events, so when I saw the Competition Officer role advertised I thought it would be an incredible opportunity to use those skills within our climbing community on a national scale. I’m also a keen hillwalker and Mountaineering Scotland member, so was excited to get the chance to be involved with the wider organisation. 

Tell us about your connection with climbing?   

I’m quite new to climbing – I started in 2021 when a friend in Glasgow introduced me to indoor bouldering. I was quickly hooked and have since then learned to lead, climbed outdoors, and roped (pun intended) several friends into becoming avid climbers themselves. 

What is your favourite type of climbing?  

Having spent the most time inside bouldering gyms, I would have to say that. But I am looking forward to expanding both my sport route and outdoor climbing experiences in the next years. 

Why do you like climbing? 

I love that climbing is a mental, physical, and sometimes emotional challenge – but it can also be a way to chill out, hang out with friends. 

What made you want to work in climbing? 

The climbing community is a really cool space which feels quite different to other sports that I’ve taken part in. It feels like we all support each other enthusiastically though our interests and goals might be different.  

What do you like about working with the team? 

The team is so dedicated to supporting and developing climbing for anyone who is, or wants to be involved in the sport. They have immense collective experience and also they’re a ton of fun. 

What is your main ambitions with your role? 

Participation in the sport has increased massively in the last years and I’m excited to see how we can grow competitions and other opportunities for people to get involved and develop towards their ambitions. 

Full Bio:

Heather grew up in Glasgow, and originally trained as a physicist, presenting her research at international conferences in the US and Europe, and time working at CERN in Geneva. She is also a musician, playing traditional music from Scotland and other Celtic styles, and has a decade of experience in coordinating community events and music & dance festivals in the UK and USA.

From physics she transitioned into the technology industry as a data professional. Following seven years working at a tech start-up in Brighton, she moved back to Scotland – reigniting her love for hillwalking and the outdoors. Soon after, she was introduced to indoor bouldering in Glasgow by a friend, and discovered a passion for climbing too!

In 2024, she joined ClimbScotland as Competitions Officer, lending her organisational expertise and love for spreadsheets to the national youth and adult climbing competition series. She is excited to work with the amazing team at Mountaineering Scotland, and devoted to supporting all of Scotland’s climbers (and those who don’t know they are yet!) to access and develop in Scotland’s indoor climbing scene and community.