The ClimbScotland Youth Climbing Series (YCS) is the national youth competition bringing together young climbers from all over Scotland to compete.

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 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 would like to try the next step up from the Fun Roped or Fun Bouldering competitions.

YCS Dates for 2025

  • Round 1, 13th September – roped (venue TBC)
  • Round 2, 27th September – boulder (venue TBC)
  • Round 3, 11th October – boulder (venue TBC)
  • Round 4, 1st November – roped (venue TBC)
  • Grand Final (invite only), 29th-30th November (venue TBC)
How the YCS competition will work in Scotland for 2025

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

At the end of the regional series, each competitors best 3 ranking results shall be combined to give a series score. The top 3 series scores in categories U13, U15, U17 & U19 will then be invited to compete in the Grand Final, as part of the Scottish YCS Team.

Climbers in the U11 category are not eligible to attend the YCS Grand Final.

  • Competitors must be resident full-time in Scotland
  • GB Team members are not eligible to compete in the YCS

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

What category am I in?

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

  • U11 & U13 – Top Roping 
  • U15, U17 & U19 – Lead climbing

NOTE: U11 climbers can attend the rounds but not the Grand Final

Year of birthYear of birthYear of birthYear of birthYear of birth
Year of eventU11U13U15U17U19
20252016
2015		2014
2013		2012
2011		2010
2009		2008
2007
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: £35
  • Booking all 4 Rounds at once: £140
  • 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.

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 U13 and U11 category competitors)
  • Lead belayer (belaying Youth U19, U17 and U15 category competitors)
  • General (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
  • 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 competitions 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 following confirmation that you are happy for this

How to enter the Youth Climbing Series

  • Bookings will open in August
  • You can book either individual rounds, or all 4 rounds at once

Get your membership and book an event online on the Mountaineering Scotland web portal. Please note that a valid membership of Mountaineering Scotland (ClimbScotland Gold or Individual Youth) is required to enter this 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 – To book for more than one member of the same family, please link your household as a family in the portal (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 go to the ‘Events & Courses’ tab in the portal, select the relevant YCS round or all four rounds ticket and complete your 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 – To book for more than one member of the same family, please link your household as a family in the portal (you can be linked without having a family membership). This will save time if you have more than one child attending.

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.