Local MSP Brian Whittle paid a visit to the Above Adventure climbing centre in Kilmarnock and couldn’t resist the chance to try out their facilities for himself.
The South Scotland MSP and former Olympian donned a harness and climbing shoes to scale one of the centre’s climbing walls after meeting with Chairperson Gayle Watson to learn more about the centre’s development.
Based in the former Grange Free Church, built in 1876, the non-profit Above Adventure opened Ayrshire’s first indoor climbing centre just over a year ago in May 2023. The group has operated a mobile climbing wall for several years but had a long-held ambition to create something more permanent.
While preserving many of the Churches original architectural features, Above Adventure has created a fully accessible, state-of-the-art climbing centre that caters to climbers of all ages and abilities. With a variety of different walls, the centre offers a wide range of climbing options, from bouldering to speed climbing, and thanks to their auto-belay units, it’s never been easier for novices to learn.
During his visit, Brian met with Gayle Watson, the Chair of Above Adventure, to hear more about how the centre came about and their efforts to get as many children and young people as possible to try climbing. With schools from across Ayrshire, as well as local community groups already regularly visiting Above Adventure, Brian is encouraging others to get in touch and try it out.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“It was a pleasure to visit Above Adventure and try out their brilliant facilities for myself.
Climbing is a fun sport and a good way to exercise and build your strength. I’m delighted that Above Adventure put so much emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility to give as many people as possible the opportunity to take part.
Having a top-class facility like this in Kilmarnock is great asset to the area and means that anyone in Ayrshire who wants to climb, whether they’re a beginner or a competitive climber, doesn’t have to travel to Glasgow or even further afield.
I’m grateful to Gayle and the rest of her team for letting me have a go at scaling the wall and getting me back down safely. If I can do it, then anyone can!”
Comment from Gayle Watson (Chair, Above Adventure):
“We are delighted to have welcomed Brian Whittle to Above Adventure indoor climbing centre. Their visit underscores the importance of our mission to provide accessible and inclusive activities for everyone in our community. It's heartening to see the positive impact our centre has, and we are grateful for the support and recognition from our local leaders. Together, we can continue to break down barriers and create a more inclusive environment for all. Thank you, for your visit and ongoing support."
