AT the start of the year I joined thousands of others across the country in committing to a no-spend January. It’s a challenge designed to mitigate the many excesses and indulgences of the Christmas period. You’re allowed to spend money on bills, food and essentials but nothing else.

I cancelled my Amazon Prime subscription to avoid temptation.

I deleted all the apps that make it too easy to order a takeaway. And I’m eating my way through the long-forgotten contents of my cupboards. Tinned peaches, anyone?

My weekly food shop has been stripped of all the wee treats that make it fun. So no scented candles, no flowers, no books and – of course – no booze, either.

It’s been a learning curve but three weeks in and I’m going strong.

However, last week, I decided to bend the rules a bit and donate a small amount of money to charity. Which I’m pretty sure is an acceptable loophole. I felt compelled to dust off my bank card after reading a news story about a heroic mountain rescue that took place in the Cairngorms last weekend.

Volunteers from the Cairngorm and Braemar mountain rescue teams found a walker after a gruelling 10-hour search. Police had located the man’s position on Ben Macdui by tracing his phone but a rescue helicopter was unable to be scrambled to help due to the foggy conditions.

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In a video posted on the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team’s Twitter page, volunteers with head torches could be seen trekking through heavy snow and high winds to reach the lost walker. The humble, matter-of-fact posts on its page giving details of the incident did nothing to disguise the incredible selflessness and bravery of all those involved.

It is no exaggeration to say that mountain rescue teams regularly put their own lives on the line to help others in need. The time they dedicate to volunteering isn’t only limited to the many hours they spend on rescue callouts. There’s also the time spent on ongoing training and learning as they familiarise themselves with new equipment, new techniques and first aid skills.

That this emergency service is staffed by volunteers across Scotland, and in large part reliant on donations, only makes their heroism even more admirable. They understand more than most the danger posed by nature. They see first-hand what happens when things go wrong and how quickly that can develop.

It is remarkable, knowing what they know and having seen what they have seen, that time and time again they strap on their boots and venture out into danger when they are called upon to do so.

Given that these brave men and women are putting themselves in danger – for free, in their own time – it goes without saying that people who enjoy walking in the beautiful scenery Scotland has to offer should do everything they can to ensure they are never reliant on these volunteers’ help.

The National:

We know Scotland can experience four seasons in one day, but in winter, up in the hills and mountains, conditions are only ever going to be quite dangerous, really dangerous or perilous.

We’ve all read stories about walkers in inadequate clothing and footwear having to be rescued from a mountain in winter, totally unprepared for the terrain.

There’s no suggestion that’s what happened in this case. Even the most responsible and well-prepared walker can’t account for every eventuality.

Sudden illness doesn’t wait until you’re in a more convenient location to access help. One small slip and a twisted ankle can mean you run out of daylight hours before you are able to reach the bottom.

The best-laid plans can easily fall apart, through no fault of the walker involved.

READ MORE: Scotland weather: Caution advised as Storm Isha brings 80mph winds

And thank God rescue teams are willing and able to step in when that happens. But personal responsibility is still important. At any time but, especially in the colder months, Scotland’s mountains must be treated with a degree of reverence – and caution.

In 2022, there were 636 incidents on Scotland’s mountains. Last December saw an increase compared to the same time the previous year.

The severity of the call-outs is more acute in winter, as is the level of personal risk to the rescuers involved.

Scotland is home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. We are lucky to live in a country where a stunning walk up a beautiful hill or mountain is never very far away.

Our well-trodden mountains and hills are of huge benefit to all those who enjoy them.

That is only possible because of the army of heroes who dedicate their time and energy to helping those in need when a walk in nature takes a dangerous turn.