Ramblers Scotland Fight To Save Jobs

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland is calling on The Ramblers to reverse a decision to close the Ramblers Scotland office and make staff redundant, meanwhile Ramblers Scotland has launched an appeal to save their HQ and safeguard jobs.

The decision is  a result of the credit crunch and associated economic downturn which has seen the Ramblers' income fall drastically. As a result, the Ramblers GB Board has decided to cut the budget for work in Wales and Scotland.

Currently the Scottish budget is some £381,000 but from October, that's set to be cut to just £81,000 with the Scottish HQ being cut and seven staff possibly losing their jobs to be replaced with just two employees working from home on lower salaries.

Chris Townsend, MCofS President comments:

‘Ramblers Scotland is a major force in access and conservation work north of the border. This move will have serious consequences in Scotland and suggests that the Ramblers Board in London have little knowledge or understanding of the role Ramblers Scotland plays.’

‘I’ve worked with Ramblers Scotland staff and know just how good and committed they are. Losing them will be a big blow to all outdoors people in Scotland.’

Specifically, Scottish outdoors people are concerned that the reduction in staff will mean local expertise which is needed to campaign effectively at a Scottish level will be vastly reduced and Scottish Ramblers have taken matters into their own hands with an appeal for £200,000 which would enable them to save the office and staff from the cutbacks.

Details of the appeal at www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland/
More about the Ramblers' decision at www.walkhighlands.co.uk