Alvance British Aluminium and JAHAMA Highland Estates are delighted to have partnered with the Fort William Mountain Festival as proud sponsors. Our involvement with the festival allowed us to connect with a vibrant community of outdoor enthusiasts, share our commitment to sustainability, and engage with the future of mountain culture.

One of the highlights from the festival was when Kevin Howett, a living legend in climbing and mountaineering, was awarded the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture. Howett, based in Crieff, has dedicated more than three decades to the advancement of climbing, mountaineering, and hill walking in Scotland. As the first employee of Mountaineering Scotland, his tireless work in shaping policies for mountain access, conservation, and the development of climbing facilities has had an exceptional impact on Scotland’s outdoor community. We were proud to sponsor this prestigious award, recognising Kevin’s significant contributions to Scotland’s Mountain culture, you can read more about Kevin’s story here.

Anna Danby, The Fort William Mountain Festival co-ordinator, said: ‘It’s always inspiring to hear the stories of people who have achieved great things in the mountains, but this award requires individuals to have gone beyond just personal achievement. Winners need to have put considerable energy into sharing their passion, opening up the outdoors for all and contributing to the mountain community as a whole. Kevin Howett has more than fulfilled all these criteria and it is an honour to be able to recognise his efforts and share his story at the festival.’

Ruaridh Macdonald, Head of Estate Management and Development, JAHAMA Highland Estates, commented: “As the regular sponsors of this prestigious award for Excellence in Mountain Culture, we are absolutely thrilled that Kevin Howett has been recognised for his commitment and dedication to promoting and encouraging responsible access across the mountains and wilderness areas of Scotland.   His selfless commitment to representing the diverse and wide-ranging interests of the mountaineering, walking, skiing, and climbing communities over the last 35 years is truly inspirational.

“JAHAMA Highland Estates [part of Alvance British Aluminium, based in Lochaber] greatly values, in particular, the hugely significant impact of Kev’s passion for inspiring the next generation of young Scottish climbers, supporting their transition from indoor to outdoor climbing and facilitating their journey to the highest levels of performance sport and access to Olympic success.  Kev’s on-going dedication to the wider climbing community resonates strongly with our own company values of family, change and sustainability.”

Throughout his career, Howett made close to 1,000 first ascents, including many at the highest levels of difficulty. His passion for climbing has inspired generations of outdoor enthusiasts, and his work with Mountaineering Scotland ensured the sustainable development of the sport and safe access to Scotland’s mountains for everyone. Kevin’s commitment to encouraging young climbers and supporting their transition from indoor to outdoor climbing has been particularly impactful – a cause that resonates deeply with us as we focus on creating opportunities for the next generation.

We were honoured to present the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture to Kevin during the festival’s Climbing Night. The evening featured a celebration of Kevin’s achievements, with a special film tribute and a discussion with pioneering climbers such as Jesse Dufton, James Rudge, and Joanna Newton, from the GB paraclimbing team. Kevin’s recognition also garnered significant coverage in national and specialist outdoor media, helping to shine a light on the next generation of climbers and outdoor professionals.

For us at Alvance British Aluminium and JAHAMA Highland Estates, we have been delighted to support this event for a number of years. Our stand at the festival attracted a wide range of young adults, many of whom had moved to the area to pursue their outdoor passions. TWe spoke with about a variety of individuals who were eager to learn more about the roles we offer, and few even mentioned their intention to attend our future career related events to explore opportunities further.

It was clear that there is a strong, youthful presence in the area – many of whom are looking for stable, full-time employment to support their outdoor lifestyles. We were encouraged by the turnout, with 300–400 attendees at each event, and the diverse representation of young adults, both male and female, who are shaping the future of outdoor sports and mountain culture.

Graham Smyth pictured top right, our Department Engineer at Alvance British Aluminium and Chair of the Fort William Mountain Festival Committee

We would also like to extend our gratitude to our colleague, Graham Smyth, who is our Department Engineer and chairs the Fort William Mountain Festival committee. His leadership and dedication played a pivotal role in making the festival a success.

For further information about Alvance British Aluminium, please contact Colleen MacLean, Executive Assistant & Communications Lead on Colleen.MacLean@alvancegroup.com