Royal Marines And Navy Teams Climb Scotland's Most Challenging Peaks

The Royal Navy Royal Marines Mountaineering Club has been training on some of Scotland's most challenging peaks in its big summer expedition.

Exercise Cairn Conquest sees teams taking on Munros and cliffs across the country after coronavirus restrictions prevented them from travelling to the Alps.

Scotland has proved a popular destination for climbers seeking an adrenaline rush and Leading Physical Trainer Jim Duffy of HMS Temeraire explained how the riskier conditions on the exercise provide transferrable skills.

"Adventure training is massively transferrable into Armed Forces personnel day-to-day jobs.

"It provides them with that exposure, risk management and brings them a lot of attributes that they may not really understand that they're going through until they're actually back at their units conducting their job.

"All of a sudden, they are operating at a much higher standard."

While on the exercise the Royal Marines and Royal Navy personnel take on a variety of challenges including everything from rock climbing to long mountain expeditions.

Although unable to do their summer training in the Swiss Alps as originally planned, those taking part have been enjoying the recent good weather and are still treated to some breath-taking scenery.

For Leading Physical Trainer Megan Meyer, it's her first time visiting Scotland.

She said: "It's absolutely incredible. This is my first experience in Scotland, I've experienced the Alps last year, so in comparison I mean this is our own nation.

"It's phenomenal grounds and we still have, not quite the height of the Alps, the altitude, but still very similar with all the challenges."

Expeditions like this are key to developing the skills of the climbers with those more experienced on hand to nurture the talents and enthusiasm of the novices.

The club is hoping to grow its membership as it sets its sights on preparing for next year in the Alps for some higher climbs.