Green LWB Land Rover of Inverness-shire Constabulary demonstrates "off road" rather well as it negotiates a river high in the Cairmgorms range during Mountain Rescue duty.

These photographs represent advances in police involvement in Mountain Search and Rescue from the “very old days” when Shank’s Pony was the only method of getting onto the hills. Use of mechanically propelled vehicles off-road made a considerable difference, but there still came a point when folk had to get out and walk (or climb) – but at least use of these vehicles did mean that some of the personnel and some of the equipment could at least be conveyed some of the way, and provide shelter and communication, thus easing the burden on the rescuers.

Inverness-shire included three of the main climbing/hill-walking ranges in the Highlands, namely Lochaber (Ben Nevis), Cuillins (Skye) and of course Cairngorm. As such, the Inverness-shire Constabulary (and its successor in 1968, Inverness Constabulary, when the Inverness Burgh and County forces merged) had a considerable involvement in Mountain Rescue. As the interest in the Great Outdoors grew, so did the risk of accident and avalanche. Furthermore, although most participants - walkers and climbers – ensured they were equipped with proper and sufficient equipment, and planned for a sudden sever change in weather, there were many folk who came to the hills and decided on a whim to go for a wee walk, while not suitable equipped for anything other than a picnic and also grossly underestimating Mother Nature, and the rapidity with which conditions could change for the worse. A bonny day for a stroll from the campsite or car park could literally become hell on earth only a short distance into the climb/walk/stroll.

Even those properly attired and equipped could still fall foul of weather or terrain, and even a sprained ankle in a remote location makes it impossible to walk on the rough paths. It does not take much either to lose one’s footing and fall – even a short distance – and banging one’s head or chest or a limb against an unforgiving rock or boulder can easily put the casualty in an unfit condition to safely descend the hill. A casualty, even if walking wounded, would take so much longer to negotiate a winding path than when fit, and a return planned in daylight can stretch into darkness, with the additional navigation problems that lack of light presents.

The force and its successor has long publicised the dangers inherent in hill-walking and climbing, warned of going out poorly equipped and under-provisioned, and encouraged people to leave details of their route with either the police or a local contact. Too often have searches had to be carried out for people who it transpired has curtailed their expedition, or changed their route or intentions, without letting folk know. Many is the time when the first alarm of someone missing or overdue in the hills has been when a car has eventually been noticed as parked for a long time in a busy remote car park.

Sadly, many people have lost their lives (or sustained serious injury) on the Highland hill and mountains, and whether through accident or natural causes, it was the duty of the police to enquire into the event – which meant officers attending along with other Mountain Rescue personnel (all volunteers) to recover the casualty. Then there are those folk who get lost, disorientated or are seriously delayed in the hills or while traversing a mountain pass or loch-side path. A properly co-ordinated search, swiftly organised, requires to be put in place. Nowadays when helicopters are usually available, the time-span can normally be considerably speeded up – but foul weather prevents them flying. In earlier times, the 1950s – 1970s military helicopters were fewer and father between, and their crews lacked some of the experience and expertise of today. Similarly communication was rather poorer than today. Nonetheless all parties involved did, and still do, an amazing job and of course the helicopter crews and MRTs are outstanding in their commitment. Thankfully, many searches and rescues can now be made that much shorter, and more effective, by co-ordination between MRT and helo, with the chopper picking up MRT members and conveying them at least past way, and then evacuating casualties in a similar manner. There are still times however when for one reason or another the helicopter cannot get in, and the MRT needs to walk in, find the casualty and walk out (down) again. Believe me, it hard enough to keep one’s own balance in a white-out without having to help carry a stretcher too.

Nowadays, Mountain Rescue Teams exist all over Scotland, and are still staffed by volunteers – generally those who live and work in the area and are thus very familiar with the terrain. Although the police service has less involvement nowadays than in earlier times, the connection between police and MRT is a strong one, and the police continue to prove support, co-ordination and assistance to each MRT, while some officers remain involved as members of an MRT.

Inverness Constabulary became part of Northern Constabulary on regionalisation in 1975, and became part of the Police Service of Scotland on 1st April 2013.