The Henry Hindmarch Access and Conservation Trust

Henry Hindmarch lived and worked in Sunderland. Born in 1937 he described himself as an ordinary working man, a bachelor, who from an early age visited Scotland as often as possible; first by cycle, then car, and in later years in his caravanette with his constant companion and much loved Irish Setter. His enthusiasm for the Scottish mountains meant that he was often accompanied by his sister and her family to the remote areas of Scotland where they enjoyed many walking holidays.

Upon his death in 1992, by a heart attack whilst cycling home from work, his pension trustees and family kindly donated £15,000 to the Mountaineering Council of Scotland to set up a fund; to help ensure access to, and the conservation of, the hills he had a life long passion for.

It is the intention of the MCofS that the Trust becomes an ongoing access and conservation fund that will assist a diverse range of projects including footpath repairs, projects to clean up degraded or littered sites, the production of educational leaflets and other projects that our members may suggest and which reflect the stated Purposes of the Trust in the Trust Deed.

We aim to create a sustainable fund that will commemorate the name of our friend Henry Hindmarch.

The Trust Deed states that certain members of the MCofS Access & Conservation Committee will be responsible for the management of the Trust as trustees, and decide upon the use of the funds when suitable applications are received. The Fund is a Charitable Trust, Scottish Charity Number SCO30055.

The Purposes of the Trust are:

The Fund is established for the benefit of mountaineers and the general public to safeguard access to and protect and conserve the hills, crags and mountains of Scotland and their flora and fauna;

  • to advance the education of the public about the conservation of the hills, crags and mountains of Scotland and their flora and fauna;
  • to educate the public about access to the Scottish mountains and countryside by providing relevant information to mountaineers and the general public;
  • to help protect or enhance access whilst safeguarding landscapes from damage by supporting projects which aim to improve, renovate or maintain paths and associated access facilities on and to hills and mountains and routes leading to, from or over crags;
  • to conserve and enhance the landscapes, flora and fauna which are enjoyed by mountaineers and other visitors to the hills, crags and mountains including supporting the control and restoration of erosion and other forms of damage.

Projects Assisted to Date

Your Chance to 'Put Something Back'

Henry Hindmarch's generosity enabled MCofS to esablish the Trust and was his way of putting something back into the outdoors that he loved so much. All of us who enjoy our recreation in the great outdoors have an impact on the countryside, and it is only right that we as walkers and climbers put something back into the hills we love.

That is why we are asking you to give generously to this fund. Please contribute whatever you feel you can afford to help us to work for access and conservation, OR even better, consider leaving money to the fund as a legacy. More information on how to make a donation or leave a legacy may be found here. Thank you in advance, for your kind consideration.

Updated 14 July 2008