Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team (AMRT) has 30 volunteer team members who are available 365 days of the year, to provide a mountain rescue service when requested by Police Scotland within the region formerly known as Strathclyde.

AMRT comprises of women and men from a variety of backgrounds and employment, brought together for the common purpose of a desire to assist with someone in distress on the hill and in the local area.

The team is most frequently deployed around the mountains of the ‘Arrochar Alps’ but cover a wide geographical area as diverse as Bridge of Orchy, Dunoon, Isle of Bute, Loch Fyne, Glen Fruin, Lochgoilhead and around Loch Lomond. Over the years we have supported our neighbouring teams in Oban, Glencoe, Killin and Lomond.

It was in the mid 1950’s when local farmer Johnny Paterson, assisted by his brother Charlie, was asked to form a group to deal with the increasing number of mountain rescues in the Arrochar area. Prior to this, as in the rest of Scotland, rescue had been on a more informal basis with the local farmers and shepherds responding as required. A Special Constable, Johnny was approached by the then Argyllshire Constabulary based in Dunoon to form a team with the rescue post being based in Succoth at the family farm.

Over the ensuing years, the Team began to attract volunteers drawn from a wider area and as numbers increased and training became more formalised with use of dedicated rescue equipment, the need for a team base was apparent and resulted in temporary storage space in local garages and an outdoor centre. In late 2002, the Team finally moved into the new Arrochar Mountain Rescue Post in Arrochar, a purpose built base funded by the Order of St John and with a fine view overlooking the Cobbler.

Under the ongoing leadership of dedicated Team Leaders and Deputes, AMRT has been a progressive and forward-thinking team, and building on its history has developed a strong ethos of Teamwork. There has been a focus on ongoing training, both as a Team and as individuals on specialised courses, to maintain and update mountaineering and medical skills. Also, participation in many Fundraising activities has served not only to finance the increasing operating costs but to strengthen the bond of teamwork and friendship within the Team; piloting the initial Peer Review process enabled engagement with other teams too. Additionally, several Team Members have made a significant contribution to the wider rescue community serving on SMR Executive Committee and with SARDA as dog handlers.

According to records the team has had in excess of 80 members over the years. Currently there are 26 members on the call out list including 4 dog handlers, 2 SARAA drone pilots and 7 probationary members.