Mountain rescue callouts in the Scottish Highlands are increasing, with a particular rise in incidents involving young people. In 2025, there were 106 rescues in Scotland for individuals aged 18 to 24, more than double the 50 incidents recorded in 2019.
The Assynt Mountain Rescue Team, a 40-strong volunteer crew, collectively volunteers approximately 8,500 hours each year. This is in addition to their day jobs and family commitments, with team leader Ben Dyson describing the workload as "basically a full-time job."
Factors cited for the surge include social media posts highlighting "honeypot locations" and the impact of Covid, which led to more inexperienced individuals venturing into the mountains. While many callouts involve guiding lost travellers down mountainsides, not all incidents have a positive outcome.
Despite the rising demand, volunteers stress the importance of preparation and practice for those undertaking mountain adventures. Individuals in difficulty are advised to call 999 and ask for police, then mountain rescue.