The Ladies Scottish Climbing Club was founded in 1908, by three women, at a boulder near the Lix Toll in Perthshire.

Club activities in the early 20th century

In the early years (as now) the Ladies Scottish Climbing Club organised meets at New Year and Easter in the main climbing areas in Scotland such as Crianlarich, Glencoe and the Cuillin area of Skye. Some members spent several weeks in the Alps each summer, where they climbed many of the major peaks.

Club activities in the mid 20th century

Esme Speakman made several first ascents of rock climbs in Glencoe, including January Jigsaw in 1940, a classic Severe grade climb on the Rannoch Wall of Buachaille Etive Mor.

In 1954 Betty Stark and 4 others organised one of the first mountaineering expeditions to the Lyngen peninsula in Arctic Norway.

In 1955, Monica Jackson, Betty Stark and Evelyn Camrass formed the first all women's expedition to the Himalayas. They explored the previously unmapped Phurbal Chyachumbu glacier and made a first ascent of a 22,000 ft peak on the frontier of Nepal and Tibet, naming it Gyalgen, after their lead Sherpa (photo).

In 1970 Helen Steven led an expedition to the previously unexplored Alpefjord region of Greenland. Several first ascents were made, as well as the first all women's ascents of the Berseker Spire and Ardverikie.

Recent history

Members continue to walk and climb at home in Scotland and in all 5 continents. The Ladies Scottish Climbing Club organises an Alpine meet each summer; in 2000 there was a meet in Ladakh in the Indian Himalaya, and in 2008, centenary year, one in Bolivia.

Members are active in the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, helping to set up, among other things, subsidised training courses in winter skills and first aid.

The Club contributes to the national debate on mountaineering issues, such as access and rural development.

The Club is committed to preserving the natural environment on which our sport is dependent and has produced a set of environmental best practice notes are which available from the Club Secretary.