One of Scotland's leading mountaineers has praised the efforts of walkers in avoiding accidents when visiting the countryside, saying that a greater level of preparedness had helped reduce the pressure on emergency services.

One of Scotland's leading mountaineers has praised the efforts of walkers in avoiding accidents when visiting the countryside.

Speaking before today's 75th anniversary conference of the mountain rescue service, Alfie Ingram, chairman of the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland, said a greater level of preparedness had helped reduce the pressure on emergency services and the likelihood of disaster.

While the number of calls mountain rescue teams in Scotland have attended has been increasing gradually over the past decade, it has been falling relative to the huge increase in the numbers visiting the countryside.

"Overall, people are increasing their skills and preparing properly. If things go bad they are more often doing the right thing or reaching positions where they don't get into difficulties," Mr Ingram said. "It's all down to preparation and not overstretching yourself."

Mr Ingram's comments coincided with an announcement that Scotland's mountain rescue teams are to receive £300,000 in Scottish Government funding this year.

The cash was announced by Community Safety Minister and climbing enthusiast Fergus Ewing, a former member of the Lomond mountain rescue team.

"As a former member of the mountain rescue service I am well aware of the vital role Scotland's mountain rescue teams play in aiding those who end up in difficulty," he said. "The Scottish Government is committed to supporting these dedicated, highly professional teams of volunteers."

The money, the same sum given last year, will go to the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland, which will distribute it to local mountain rescue teams.

The announcement came before Mr Ewing addresses the UK Mountain and Cave Rescue conference today. The weekend conference at Stirling University marks the 75th anniversary of the formation of the mountain rescue service in the British Isles. Around 60% of funding for Scotland's mountain rescue teams, which are manned by volunteers, is provided through fundraising efforts, with the government funding and money from the Order of St John charity.

Part of the Scottish Government funding is divided evenly between mountain rescue teams and the rest is divided based on the number of call outs per year. In 2007, the service responded to 425 call outs - a number that has been rising by between 10 and 15 since the end of the 1990s, Mr Ingram said.

But there were continued calls for vigilance among visitors to the countryside, who were urged to ensure they had the right equipment and were not undertaking walks beyond their abilities or in poor weather conditions.

Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said: "It is still the case that far too many people go out unprepared and ill equipped and naturally this puts the mountain rescue teams under huge pressure."

One of the themes of the weekend's conferences will be how mountain rescue teams should respond to advances in technology, such as GPS satellite navigation equipment which can potentially track people almost instantaneously and with great accuracy.

"There is a balance to be struck between using all the new gadgetry that comes on the market and ensuring that it is up to the job and can withstand the rigours and bad weather often involved in a rescue," Mr Ingram said.