About Us

Originally the idea of the club was thought of in 1964 & founded in 1966, lasting until 1970. Thereafter the Strathaven Climbing Club was reformed in 1979 after a break of several years however to the newcomer our name may be a little misleading.

Firstly, whilst we are historically associated with Strathaven, we draw our membership from a wide area including Hamilton, East Kilbride, Ayrshire, Glasgow and much of South Lanarkshire. Secondly, our membership comprises hillwalkers and general mountaineers, as well as winter climbers and dedicated crag rats.

The Club is affiliated to the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (which provides third party insurance cover against climbing accidents).

The Club does not have a hut but visits most of the main climbing areas in Britain, from Ullapool to the Peak District, though Skye, Arran, the Cairngorms, Arrochar and Glen Coe also feature on most meet programmes. Outdoor Meets usually take place every 2 or 3 weeks ‑ bookable hut weekends in winter, camping in summer and the occasional Day Meet. Transport for Meets is usually by car with fuel costs being shared. An annual alpine meet has become a recent addition to the programme.

When the days lengthen ‑ April to October ‑ there is evening rock climbing every Wednesday on local crags such as Loudoun Hill or Auchinstarry Quarry, which all are welcome to attend. Midweek climbing in winter is usually at the Ibrox Climbing Wall on Mondays, Wednesdays and/or Thursdays.

Social gatherings include a Club Dinner in late November (regularly at the Kingshouse, Glencoe). There can also be Members Slide Nights, a quiz, and slide shows on visits to the Alps, Andes and Himalayas (as well as more familiar domestic mountains) courtesy of guest speakers. Recently, Jerry Gore, Andy Kilpatrick and Simon Yates have all been featured.

Pub Meets in the Weavers Bar (adjacent to the Common Green), on the first Tuesday of each month are always popular, from 9pm!

A regular newsletter keeps members up to date on Club news and events as well as reporting on Club activity.

Details of forthcoming Meets are listed in the newsletter as well as being available from the link from the home page.

Once you have attended a couple of Meets and got to know some of the members of the Club, then you can become a club member by applying to the Committee using the appropriate form.