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The Fort William Mountain Festival is pleased to announce that Dr Adam Watson, biologist, ecologist, mountaineer, author and defender of the environment, has becomes the fifth recipient of the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture.
This prestigious annual award recognizes and celebrates the achievements and accomplishments of one inspiring individual and their outstanding contributions to Scotland’s mountains, encompassing sport, theatre, art, photography, film and literature. It was set up in 2008 by the Highland Mountain Culture Association Ltd, organisers of the Fort William Mountain Festival, and is sponsored by Rio Tinto Alcan through the Scottish Community Foundation. Previous winners include: Iain Sykes (2011), Jimmy Marshall (2010), Richard Else (2009) and Dr. Hamish McInnes (2008).
Dr Adam Watson, from Aberdeenshire, has spent his life in scientific study of Scotland’s Cairngorm mountains; and in celebrating and defending them. Dubbed ‘Mr Cairngorms’, Dr. Watson is widely acknowledged as Scotland’s pre-eminent authority on this mountain range, and has written extensively about the area. His unceasing curiosity and thirst for understanding have led him to contribute an astonishing amount to the understanding of mountain landscapes and ecology. It’s said that few people know more about snow and the animals that inhabit it than Dr Watson. His vast academic output and contributions to the understanding of the flora and fauna in Scotland and elsewhere has been internationally recognised in many honours, including the second-ever John Muir Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.
Dr Adam Watson has combined a lifetime’s wide-ranging scientific study in the Cairngorms with a passionate devotion to the hills, their wildlife and their people. He is also a natural communicator with an infectious enthusiasm for the sciences. His writings over the last 58 years include 23 books and many hundreds of scientific and other publications. A former JMT Trustee and Adviser, he also served on the Countryside Commission for Scotland and the Cairngorms Partnership, but has always remained staunchly independent in campaigning for the conservation of the Cairngorms, to him ‘the most wonderful place on earth’.
Although retired, Dr Watson has continued to follow his many interests – publishing on the subjects of mountain birds, snow and the place names of Deeside.
Dr Watson’s award will be made on Saturday 18 February at the Nevis Centre, Fort William, as part of the Fort William Mountain festival programme, after the showing of a short film that includes still photographic highlights of his lifetime achievements and testimonials from friends and admirers.
Mike Pescod, Chairman of the Highland Mountain Culture Association, organisers of the Fort William Mountain Festival, said: ‘To some people, like Dr Adam Watson, the draw of the mountains is so strong that they devote their entire life to them and make a massive contribution to the culture surrounding them in doing so. Recognition of their talent and commitment is rarely sought or given and this award is one opportunity to do so. We feel that this award not only celebrates their achievements and contributions but also represents the recognition of their peers.
‘By awarding one exceptional individual every year we are creating a list of ambassadors who represent the best in Mountain Culture in Scotland and beyond. We believe that the continuing success of the Fort William Mountain Festival, together with an increase in its significance and importance by the annual presentation of this award, will also be reflected in economic and cultural benefits to the people of Scotland, particularly those that are resident in mountain or rural communities.’
Click here for more information about Dr Adam Watson
The Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture
The idea for the award has been modelled on ‘The Summit of Excellence Award’ introduced at the Banff Mountain Film Festival in 1987 and awarded to an individual who has made a significant contribution to mountain life in the Canadian Rockies.
In rewarding the best of the best contributors to mountain culture nominees are required to fill at least two of the following four criteria:
- Has promoted Mountain Culture over a sustained period of time and not less than 5 years. This promotion can take the form of outdoor enthusiast / writer / rescuer / artist / photographer / musician or any combination of the above
- Has encouraged and/or educated others to engage and indulge in Mountain Culture in physical / artistic or musical methods
- Is or has been inspired by Mountain Culture and support it in all its various forms
Has ‘achieved’ within their own field of Mountain Culture & Excellence
The prestigious Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture has its integrity ensured by a further set of criteria. Potential recipients should:
- Have inspired others in their particular field and beyond within the scope of Scottish Mountain Culture
- Have influenced at a national/international level.
proudly supporting The Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture
