Dave Macleod and Andy Turner were two of the entrants to the final event in the Scottish Tooling Series which was held at The Ice Factor on Sat 13th Dec. They both agreed that if they had been in the country over the last months, they would definitely have taken part in more. The atmosphere and challenges were great.

Fiona Murrey when asked for here comments said, ‘Absolutely brill! Different venues with different styles of problems, different people, old friends and so sociable. It has been really well attended so it is obviously what climbers want.’ Fiona took part in 4 of the 5 events and was an outstanding contender and duly won her category.

Sam Doyle and Miles Hill have been travelling up from Wales each weekend just to take part. When asked why, they said, ‘We have been coming up for the Scottish winter but these comps have been fantastic and great training for those icy cracks!’

Jamie Bankhead co-ordinated the day at The Ice Factor and it consisted of 5 hours of boulder problems, top rope problems, ice problems and of course they got the swinging logs in there too. Really brilliant.

The finals were a spectators dream and everybody stayed to watch Macleod and Tony Stone fight it out in the super finals. Dave won but Tony was on his tail and got some full volume support from the audience. Stevie and Nikki Addison wowed the crowds with their power screams and ability to make this sport look almost elegant ( both under 13 years of age). The vets were like gladiators in their competitive spirit, tempered with huge banter and good sportsmanship. In the series Ruaridh McKenzie came first and George McEwan came second.

There was lots of back slapping and problem move simulations going on all day and into the evening.

Everybody stayed for the Prize Giving as there were prizes for the one day event but it was also the Scottish Tooling Series Final. Pauline Sanderson from Glenmore Lodge, who co-ordinated the Series, awarded the prizes on behalf of the sponsors of the series. She thanked the venues for putting so much time and effort into each event. It is a well know fact that these events are not run for the money, they are run by people who want to support and develop the sport.

George McEwan said ‘The whole series has been a tremendous success. It has given climbers a forum to show that they are a great bunch of people of all ages and abilities having a laugh doing what they love best….climbing. As well as that, I now feel more ready for winter climbing than ever’

The series has welcomed novices to professionals and all of them have, learnt more, made more climbing friends and enjoyed it. A small community of climbers has left this series feeling inspired by other climbers. Perfect!

We hope to have another Scottish Tooling Series next year as long as we can maintain the support of both venues and sponsors. Without whom it would have been impossible to organise.

THERE WILL BE A DEDICATED PICTURE GALLERY FOR THE SERIES ON THIS WEBSITE FROM JANUARY


SCOTTISH TOOLING SERIES RESULTS

Aplologies to Louise Humpheys and Neil Silver who got missed out of the list when first published. Mhair Burns queried her position. Sorry, but I only have you down for Xtreme Dream and Ice Factor. Apologies if you have been missed from a score sheet from one of the venues. Please let me know.

You needed to have entered a minimum of 3 events to be eligable for the series and I took your top 3 scores. The scores were based on a 20 points for 1st, 19 for 2nd etc so regardless of how each event was scored, you were marked on even terms for the series.