The ClimbScotland Youth Climbing Series (YCS) is the national youth competition bringing together young climbers from all over Scotland to compete to select the Scottish YCS Team as well as select a Scottish youth development squad.

The YCS is the main competitive event in Scotland for young climbers. It is a great way to meet other young climbers as different climbing walls host the event each year.

The Scottish YCS is part of a wider series across the UK and Ireland. Each country organises its own series to select teams which then come together in a grand final. England has 7 ‘Regional Teams’, whilst Wales, Ireland and Scotland each have a single team. These teams come together for the final to find the best young climbers in the UK and Ireland in each category but also to find the strongest Team.

If you are relatively new to climbing (or a complete beginner) or have never done a competition before and feel this may be too difficult but would like to see what competitions are like, you may prefer to compete at our entry-level events where the standard is more appropriate such as the ClimbScotland Fun Roped Climbing Competition where competitors top-rope and the ClimbScotland Fun Boulder Competition.

However, if you want to have a go at the YCS, simply compete in your local round – especially useful for first-timers or if you want to try the next step up from the Fun Roped or Fun Bouldering competitions.

2024 YCS information for competitors

14/3/24

Updated information for YCS 2024 will be available soon.

How the YCS competition will work in Scotland for 2024

2024 details TBC

There are 4 rounds in total with 2 roped and 2 boulder rounds.

Climbers in each category must have competed in a minimum of 3 rounds and their best 3 results out of a possible 4 rounds are taken into account in order to gain their final ranking.

If any rounds have to be cancelled, then all the remaining round’s scores will count. There will be no minimum number of rounds for their results to be ranked.

We will select the top 3 performers in each eligible category to make up the Scottish YCS Team who will compete in the Grand Final alongside the teams from England, Wales and Ireland in November. The Selection of the Scottish YCS Team will be the competitors in each category of Youth D, C, B and A. Youth E are not eligible to attend the YCS Grand Final.

  • Competitors must be resident full-time in Scotland
  • Members of the Scotland Talent Squad are eligible to compete in the YCS if it is considered appropriate – please refer to the ClimbScotland STS – YCS Eligibility Decision and application process.
  • Members of the Scotland Development Squad are eligible to compete in the YCS
  • GB Team members are not eligible to compete in the YCS
  • Youth E climbers can compete in the rounds but are not eligible to compete in the Grand Final

EVENT INFORMATION FOR COMPETITORS
We will send up-to-date information to competitors prior to each round by email, but also post it here:

Round 1 – 14 Sept 2024

  • Parent Information Round 1
  • Start Lists (Not required)
  • Boulder Map 

Round 2 – 28 Sept 2024

  • Parent Information Round 2

Round 3 – 19 Oct 2024

  • Parent Information Round 3
  • Start Lists (Not required)
  • Boulder Map

Round 4 – 2 Nov 2024

Parent Information Round 4

Selection for the 2025 Scotland Development Squad:The YCS forms part of the pathway for climbers to be invited to the Scotland Development Squad. These climbers will be supported through the following year with a series of coaching and competition preparation academies.

Registrations and start times may have to be staggered. Details will follow once bookings close and we know how many competitors are attending.

The Grand Final Registration Schedule will be posted on the BMC website

RoundsDatesVenue
Round 1 (Boulder)14 Sept 2024
Round 2 (Roped)28 Sept 2024
Round 3 (Boulder)19 Oct 2024
Round 4 (Roped)2 Nov 2024
Grand FinalTBC

What category am I in?

There are five youth categories which are based on your year of birth:

  • Youth E & D – Top Roping 
  • Youth C, B & A – Lead climbing

NOTE: Youth E can attend the rounds but not the Grand Final

What are the timings for the day?

  • Registration will open at 8:30am
  • The competitions will start at 9:00am (*This time may change but will be no earlier)
  • Bouldering Rounds will close at 1:00pm
  • Roped Rounds will close at 5:00pm

Please note: Due to the nature of the competition format, the differing size and fire regulations of the host venues we may have to stagger start times for different age categories. More information will be available at the time. Even then, this may have to be changed at short notice.

Please be aware that this also means it may not be possible to accommodate all spectators (including parents and family members) at some venues. As a result we ask that only one adult parent / guardian accompanies each climber to each event. Two parents or guardians may attend if one volunteers at the event.

How much does it cost?

All competitors are required to be a ClimbScotland or Mountaineering Scotland member in order to compete in our Youth Climbing Series. If you are not already a member, please register here before attempting to book on to the Competition.

The cost per round for the ClimbScotland Youth Climbing Series is as follows:

  • Individual rounds: £TBC
  • Booking all 4 Rounds at once: £TBC
  • Grand Final: £TBC

Concessions: are applicable to climbers whose parents or guardians are on Income Support or Family Credit. Evidence must be provided in support of this. Please make your booking through the Mountaineering Scotland office on 01738 493 942.

How to enter the Youth Climbing Series

Get your membership and book an event easily online via the Mountaineering Scotland web portal. Please note that a valid membership of Mountaineering Scotland (ClimbScotland Gold or Individual Youth) is required to enter the competition.

NON MEMBERS

  • Non-members will need to join before booking onto an event.
  • Log in to the portal via the ‘Join Us’ option, enter your details and follow on-screen instructions to become a member.
  • Please note: it is the competitor who needs to be a member – please set up a profile and purchase a membership for each young climber attending.
  • Family membership – if you are linked as a family in the portal, you can make a booking for any family members that are linked (you can be linked without having a family membership). This will save time if you have more than one child attending.
  • New members will get their membership pack through the post in a week – find out what you get as a Mountaineering Scotland member.
  • To book a place on the competitions you can then go into the ‘events & courses’ tab in the portal, select the relevant YCS round and make an event booking.

EXISTING MEMBERS

  • Existing members who are first time users of the portal will need to set up their login via the ‘first time access’ tab and follow on-screen instructions.
  • You need to log-in via your child’s membership log-in to book their place, if you do not know or remember your child’s log-in details, contact us to get them.
  • Family membership – if you are linked as a family in the portal, you can make a booking for any family members that are linked (you can link people without having a family membership). This will save time if you have more than one child attending.

AFTER BOOKING

  • After booking an event you will receive a confirmation email.
  • Please note the closing date for booking is all four (4) rounds will close at midnight on the Sunday 20 August.

If you need any assistance with a booking, please contact the Mountaineering Scotland team (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm) on 01738 493 942.

BECOME A COMPETITION VOLUNTEER

Volunteers: Adult volunteers are vital to ensure the youth competitions happen. You can register for the following roles:

  • Category Judge (we try to double-up any new judges with those more experienced)
  • Top-rope Belayer (belaying Youth D and Youth E category competitors)
  • Lead belayer (belaying Youth A, B and C category competitors)
  • Marshall (Comp zone, warm-up supervision, chaperoning, and any other required general duty)

Volunteer Registration and Support:

  • You can volunteer when booking a place for your child(ren) in the booking portal. Click on the Volunteering link and complete your details – you only have to fill the form in once and indicate which comps you can help at
  • Further information can be found here
  • There are up to 30 volunteer places available at each event which will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis
  • When you volunteer as a lead belayer you will be asked to read and confirm acceptance of a Volunteer Competency Form
  • We offer free belay training sessions at local climbing walls throughout the year, which helps ensure belay safety at the competiitons but is also a good refresher for any climber
  • You will be asked to check-in and register on the morning of the competition
  • There will be a belay and judge briefing before each competition starts
  • Volunteers in any of the positions above get free hot drinks on the day
  • Volunteers’ details will be kept on a central register

2024 Series Sponsors

BOOKINGS

Book individual rounds or all four rounds together. Deadline for booking all rounds is TBC.

September 2024
October 2024
November 2024
No event found!

How to enter the Youth Climbing Series

Get your membership and book an event easily online via the Mountaineering Scotland web portal. Please note that a valid membership of Mountaineering Scotland (ClimbScotland Gold or Individual Youth) is required to enter the competition.

Non-members

  • Non-members will need to join before booking onto an event.
  • Log in to the portal via the ‘Join Us’ option, enter your details and follow on-screen instructions to become a member.
  • Please note: it is the competitor who needs to be a member – please set up a profile and purchase a membership for each young climber attending.
  • Family membership – if you are linked as a family in the portal, you can make a booking for any family members that are linked (you can be linked without having a family membership). This will save time if you have more than one child attending.
  • New members will get their membership pack through the post in a week – find out what you get as a Mountaineering Scotland member.
  • To book a place on the competitions you can then go into the ‘events & courses’ tab in the portal, select the relevant YCS round and make an event booking.

Existing members

  • Existing members who are first time users of the portal will need to set up their login via the ‘first time access’ tab and follow on-screen instructions.
  • You need to log-in via your child’s membership log-in to book their place, if you do not know or remember your child’s log-in details, contact us to get them.
  • Family membership – if you are linked as a family in the portal, you can make a booking for any family members that are linked (you can link people without having a family membership). This will save time if you have more than one child attending.

After booking

  • After booking an event you will receive a confirmation email straight away, and closer to the event, a reminder and more details about start times etc.
  • Please note the closing date for booking is all four (4) rounds will close at midnight on TBC.

Help with your booking

If you need any assistance with a booking, please contact the Mountaineering Scotland team (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm) on 01738 493 942.