Meet The Committee - 2023/24
Isla Burslem, President
My name is Isla and I’m going into my second year of my computing science degree. This past summer I did a long distance walk from Munich to Venice that was really fun and i got to see lots of different mountain ranges in the alps. But for me nothing beats a clear wintery day in the Scottish hills! My role is to liase with the sports union and oversee all of committee to make sure the club runs smoothly throughout the year. If you’d like to get in touch please email me on s2142288@ed.ac.uk.
Silas Hand, Secretary
Silas is a third year medic from Lincolnshire, intercalating in English Literature. He first joined the club last year, in a desperate attempt to escape Lincolnshire flat lands. As secretary, his role on committee consists of answering emails, sorting memberships, and other admin. He's very happy to answer any questions about trips, membership and more on hillwalking@ed.ac.uk.
Willow Rolls, Treasurer
Willow is a 2nd year Biochemistry PhD student. She joined the club to escape from the lab and explore the Scottish Highlands. As treasurer she is responsible for making sure the club finances are kept running smoothly!
Sasha Pond, Meet Secretary
Sasha is a fourth year History and Politics student from Hertfordshire. As Meet Secretary it’s her role to book all the transportation and accommodation on behalf of the club so as many people can experience the hills as possible. Sasha’s ideal day in the Highlands is a long scrambly walk followed by a brief but refreshing dip in some chilly Scottish water. If you have any questions, or would be keen to drive for the club please contact her at euhwcmeetsec@gmail.com.
Joe Carstairs, Alumni Officer
Joe is a recent graduate of Philosophy and Mathematics from Perth. In his view, a "proper walk" must be at least sixteen miles long, must not have more than five miles on a path and must pass over a strict maximum of zero Munros. He is keen to ensure that leaving the club doesn't have to mean leaving the community. You can contact him on edunihillwalkingalumni@gmail.com.
Emily Topness, Social Secretary
Emily is a first year GeoSciences PhD student. She joined the club over a year ago and has been bagging Munros in the fine company of the EUHWC ever since. When she's not in the hills, you can find her swimming laps or wandering Holyrood Park writing poetry. She has stepped in as an additional social secretary for the rest of the year.
Audrey Sisel, Social Secretary
Audrey Sisel is a second year PhD student of history from Alexandria, Virginia, USA. As social secretary, she looks forward to arranging social events for the club, be they ceilidhs, pub crawls, bonfires, or any other “shindig” she can come up with. Outside of hillwalking, she enjoys horseback riding, bribing people to take her waterskiing, baking for Tuesday pub nights, and forcing people to listen to “fun facts” that they never expressed interest in learning. She is incredibly excited for the year and to get back into the mountains!
Ellie Bestington, Training and Safety Officer
Ellie is a 2nd year ecological and environmental science student from Harrogate. She joined the club last year and has enjoyed every bit of it, especially the weekly pub social. Her role is to ensure our trips have training opportunities available (e.g. navigation, winter skills) and overall safety of the members whilst out on the hills. This summer she completed a 5 week expedition to Kyrgyzstan and is currently working towards her Mountain Leader award. If you have any questions/queries contact s2277781@ed.ac.uk.
Hannah Collier, Welfare Officer
Hannah is a 3rd-year Biomedical Sciences student from Leeds. This is her third year in the club. Hannah's role is Welfare Officer, so she's the person to go to if you have any wellbeing issues in the club. You can contact her by email at s2015809@ed.ac.uk. Alongside hiking in the Highlands, Hannah also enjoys wild swimming, reading books and going to gigs!
Alistair Murison, Gear Secretary
Alistair is a 3rd year Mechanical Engineering student from Kinross-shire. He enjoys hill walks that maximise Munro bagging efficiency, alongside his Border Collie Archie. As Gear Secretary he is responsible for lending out gear for club trips. If you have questions regarding gear or would like to borrow gear get in touch with Alistair over Facebook or by sending an email to s2214327@ed.ac.uk.
Hamish Ashcroft, Sustainability Officer
Chris Van Der Merwe, Publicity Officer
Chris is a 3rd year medic from Newcastle, intercalating in pharmacology this year. He joined the club last year and has loved every trip he’s been on. As publicity sec he will run the instagram account, feel free to tag @euhwc in any posts of meets/club activities for a repost. He will also put together a yearbook at the end of the year. If you would like any photos or stories to be included please email them to s2145287@ed.ac.uk.
Karel Vesely, Webmaster
Karel has joined the club two years ago. He loves long days out in the mountains, especially ones with a high munro count. This summer he completed the Fisherfield 5 and South Glen Shield Ridge, and bagged many munros on the Cuillin Ridge. He drives for the club (including the minibus) and is always keen to get involved! Feel free to contact him with any issues or suggestions at euhwcwebmaster@gmail.com.