PRINCESS Anne has presented a prestigious award to legendary Greenock mountaineer Hamish MacInnes.

Known as the ‘father of Scottish mountain rescue,’ Hamish was honoured by the University of the Highlands and Islands at a graduation ceremony in Perth.

He was presented with its Chancellor’s Award by the princess, who is the university’s chancellor, in recognition of his services to the development of mountaineering and mountain rescue.

The 86-year-old is also the holder of the OBE and British Empire Medal, as well as honourary doctorates from several other universities, and said he found it ‘quite humbling’ to receive the latest accolade.

He said: “To be in the presence of the Princess Royal, a true friend of Scotland, makes it a very special occasion.”

Hamish also paid tribute to the many people he has worked with over the years.

He said: “Behind me are the mountain rescue teams and scientists who have also devoted their lives to making the mountains a safer place and ensuring the injured are evacuated as speedily as possible.”

The mountaineer was born in Gatehouse of Fleet, but moved as a youngster to Greenock with his parents and was introduced to climbing by a neighbour, Bill Hargreaves.

Hamish added: “I was fortunate to team up with Bill because he was a very good climber and showed me the basic safety measures. There were no outward bound schools in those days and no way of getting climbing tuition. 

“It was basically a do-it-yourself situation, and that could be very dangerous.”

Hamish founded the Greenock Climbing Club and went on to become one of the world’s most accomplished mountaineers, as well as an inventor of globally renowned safety equipment.

He also wrote books and was involved with films and TV as a climber, stunt double, advisor, narrator and producer. 

His credits include Clint Eastwood’s ‘The Eiger Sanction’, James Bond’s ‘The Living Daylights’ and the Monty Python films.

In a career spanning more than six decades, he achieved several first ascents and is credited with pioneering modern mountain rescue. 

He founded the Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team in 1961, the Search and Rescue Dog Association in 1965 and co-founded the Scottish Avalanche Information Service in 1988.

Hamish was nominated for the Chancellor’s Medal by the university’s West Highland College, which delivers its adventure tourism management and adventure performance and coaching degrees.

He travelled from his home in Glencoe for the ceremony at Perth Concert Hall, attended by 1,300 graduates and guests.