The Scottish Government is to provide funding to support the Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) for the first time.

Geoff Monk and Associates have provided the MWIS free of charge since 2004, and the service is generally regarded by mountaineers as being superior to that provided by the Met Office. Scottish Executive Sport Minister Stewart Maxwell announced today that sportscotland would be investing £36,000 per annum in the service over the next three years.

Roger Wild, Mountain Safety Adviser for the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, said, "This will be the first publicly-funded comprehensive mountain weather forecast service for outdoor users in Scotland and it will be a major resource in promoting the safety and enjoyment of all who go into the outdoors."

The MWIS has been very popular with walkers, mountaineers, climbers and outdoor professionals since its inception. As well as providing a comprehensive mountain weather forecast, the MWIS also gives details of the effect of the weather upon the mountain user in very accessible language.

Sport Minister Stewart Maxwell said, "Thousands of climbers already rely on the Mountain Weather Information Service for accurate information about conditions on Scotland's mountains.

"It is therefore absolutely vital we have a reliable mountain weather service to reassure walkers they have the best information at their fingertips."

"That's why I'm announcing that this service will be fully funded by the Scottish government, through sportscotland, for the first time from this winter season.

"I want to applaud Geoff Monk and his colleagues for their selfless work to date in helping to ensure the safety of all those who make use of our wonderful natural environment."

Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said, "We are pleased to invest in the Mountain Weather Information Service which we see as a fundamental resource for walkers and climbers."

"With more people enjoying Scotland's hills and mountains every year, it is essential that they are well prepared and hopefully this service will go a long way to ensuring people's safety."

Research carried out in 2006 indicated that walking was an activity undertaken by almost 5 million UK visitors to Scotland. Walking was enjoyed as part of a Scottish holiday for 37 per cent of visitors.

The MWIS has been run on a shoestring since 2004 and its future was in doubt. Many members of the mountaineering community will no doubt welcome this funding.

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