ScotRock

We are back with part 2 of our epic history lesson with climbing legend Kevin Howett.  If you haven't caught part 1 yet, jump back an episode and hear all the stories form the man himself.  This second part will be very climbing focused looking at his role in the development of your indoor climbing walls, the entire coaching scene and our incredible RealRock program, throughout his 35 years with M...

Today we have a real legend on climbing. Someone who I think doesn’t get anywhere near enough recognition for all the work he has done for us all, and all the change that he has made happen, that every single climber, mountaineer and Hill Walker in Scotland has benefited from. Yes I’m talking about Mountaineering Scotlands very own Kevin Howett. Now Kevin after 35 years with us is hanging it up an...

Part 2 Today on ScotRock, giving us a special 2 parter, we have the man the myth the legend, Robbie Phillips. Robbie has actually been part of ScotRock since almost the beginning as a regular guest on our controversial episodes, but he has never been given the chance to have his own story told. Robbie is a climber, a developer, an adventurer and an inspiration, but he calls himself a climber. He i...

ScotRock bringing you little nuggets of gold whenever we can. And well this Nugget is a big nugget. Today on ScotRock, giving us a special 2 parter, we have the man the myth the legend, Robbie Phillips. Robbie has actually been part of ScotRock since almost the beginning as a regular guest on our controversial episodes, but he has never been given the chance to have his own story told. Robbie is a...

Sophia and her Dad David are much like any climbing family. Having wild adventures together and dad and daughter, enjoying something they love. However some of their adventures are a little more ambitious than most, and takes them on some wild adventures for an 10 year old. We sit down for ScotRocks first international podcast with Sophia and her dad David to hear about her latest epic challenge....

Jamie Lowther is one to watch over the next few years. A strong climber turning his attention to trad climbing and one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, watch this space!   Jamie is one of Scotland's strongest up and coming climbing outdoor climbers, but although he is strong, he has actually been in the climbing scene for nearly 20 years. An accomplished competition climber, boulderer and spor...

Do you smell that? That smells like a new climbing!  Duncan McCallum has always played a huge part in the climbing scene and the development of climbing in Scotland. From placing the first bolt in Scotland to opening Edinburgh international climbing arena in Ratho, I’m going to say every climber in Scotland has benefitted in some way from Duncans legacy, and he aims to continue having that impact...

As promised we are back with episode 2 with our resident Mental Health Professional, Lanah Dunsmuir. After Lanah's awesome part one (go listen if you haven't), she is back to give you some helpful advice for how to deal with the stresses and anxiety that we often face while climbing. We talk about what we can do before we get on the project and what to do when it all becomes too much mid-send.  As...

I've often get told I need professional help, so here we go...  Yes today I am joined by Mental Health Professional Lanah Dunsmuir.  Like all climbers she has gone through the rollercoaster mental gymnastics but all condensed into a fair shot period of time. Something she has battled with, but with her experience and skills as a mental health nurse she is coming out the other side a much better, a...

Better late then never eh!   Back once again with Robbie Phillips and Rebekah Drummond for our 3rd Controversial Panel show   This time we get deep and philosophical as we discuss Short exciting video clips on social media and the impact these have on the sport. If there's a hypocrisy in climbers advocating for protection of landscapes and climbing areas, while still wanting thew freedom to climb...

This month we are joined by the wonderful Kirsty Pallas. New to the Mountaineering Scotland team she couldn't escape an interview.    Kirsty is one of the fresh faces coming up through the instructor qualifications, with her sights set firmly on getting her Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor award by the time she's 30. She's fast tracked herself through working in the industry with pure...

Real feel good episode for you all this month, as Robert hides away in a dark cupboard with one of the nicest guys in climbing.    Jamie White started ClimbFree a 'small' non-profit social enterprise down in Sussex to help  who’s aim is to help those with poor mental health climb back to mental fitness. Following his own personal experience and using climbing as a tool to help himself heal, he sta...

This episode is a little different, a little special, but big cool   At the start of this month the Edinburugh International Climbing Arena hosted its first IFSC World Cup in event in 5 years   We had a huge team from GB Climbing up there crushing as they do. That team included 6 Scottish Athletes, competing on their home wall, in front of friends, family and an army of young climbers from across...

Diving deep into the pool of Scottish climbing heroes for this one!   Yes, we sat down with one of Scotlands greats, the well loved Kevin Shields.   Kev is one of the greatest all rounders Scotland has ever produced, and his determination mixed with his idea of acceptable risk has led him to accomplishing things way beyond what anyone could have expected. Born with one hand, he has established som...

Karishma Rogerson is an awesome instructor/ route setter with one hell of a backstory! When Karishma told me her story I was in awe. I knew that this was a story worth sharing on the podcast. She has an amazing origin story long before she got into climbing, but this has brought her from the Seychelles to Scotland and on to becoming one of the coolest and most psyched instructors I've worked with....

Every climber has at some point on their journey thought about building their own wall. For most, this is just a passing notion and they realise what a ridiculous idea it is. Some some however this dream became a reality during the Covid lockdowns as everyone built their own little home board. Their own 3x3m sanctuary.    But that just wasn't enough for Matt. Matt went mad. Matt built a 600m2 boul...

ScotRock returns, and we are coming in all guns blazing!   Rebekah Drummond, you may know that name. She's been on the podcast before, she is an incredible climber, awesome human and always has the best chat for podcasts. But this one is just that little bit special.    Fresh off a mega strong climbing year, Rebekah is possibly the definition of a Scottish Local Hero. Maybe not the first name on p...

Dan Arnold  is a super keen hillwalker who has ventured into the world of climbing, in the most extreme way!   Robert sat down with Dan and got the run down on his full 282 round, his new project and how he has found the transitions from hillwalker straight to winter climber. Definitely not your typical progression into climbing.  Grab a cuppa and enjoy some tales from the hill, with Dan Arnold  

This week on ScotRock, Robert got the chance to sit down with the Iona Rendall from the famous Ionas Adventures group.  A busy nurse in Edinburgh, Iona has a huge passion for hillwalking and is doing everything she can to inspire others to discover the outdoors. The hugely popular Ionas Adventures facebook group has over 4,500 followers nation wide. Iona has inspired so many people to try hillwalk...

Grab a cuppa and join us for an hour of live chat with Tiso ambassadors and mountaineering legends Iona Rendall, Mollie Hughes and Hamish Frost, hosted by Robert MacKenzie (ClimbScotland).   In association with Tiso, this is the first LIVE interview for the ScotRock podcast, and Robert will be chatting safety, ethics and the future of mountaineering. So tune in, listen to the legends and bring alo...

This week Robert got to sat down with the awesome Hannah Smith. Hannah is a young competition climber who has made it all the way to the international stage competing for the GB Climbing Team. Hannahs experience and progress in the world of competition climbing give us a great peek behind the curtain of new age competitions, but also her insight into the challenges that female climbers face and ho...

Brace yourself for this one, we are back with another super on the edge chat! This week Robert and Calum sit down with Rebekah Drummond and Robbie Phillips for a deep and controversial chat about some hot topics in the climbing world. Pineapple on Pizza? Should we be celebrating the bold? Should the first ascensionist be the one to give a star rating? Should we be traveling for climbing? Should we...

This week Robert gets a trip back memory lane with an old friend, Anna Wells. Anna is a freshly qualified Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor that has had a very roller coastery journey to get here, that started with her becoming a Doctor. Yes Anna went from teenage crusher and followed a career path to becoming a junior doctor before gradually making her way into working in the mountains. Her...

Robert and Calum discuss climbing in 2020 and how many of you have had a pretty good climbing year, despite how rubbish the rest of the year has been.  We share long car journeys together a lot, and during those journeys we talk a whole heap of crap. So our latest idea is record these ramblings and release them as mini episodes in between the main events. Enjoy. 

I bet you follow this guy on Instagram and didn't even know it. Yes Robert get the chance to sit down with the social media giant that is Gordon Robb, or as he's affectionately known @FatoldClimber Gordons passion for climbing is addictive, but his clarity on what climbing is to him and what it can offer others is refreshing. Here we get deep into the meaning of climbing and find out more about th...