CLIMBERS who scaled Dumbarton Rock to deliver a message to leaders at COP26 say they hope their efforts will help hold governments' "feet up to the fire".

Helped by Extinction Rebellion, the team climbed the iconic landmark on Monday in the hopes of making an impact, "however small".

The banner, bearing the message 'Climate on a Cliff Edge', was clearly visible as the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior sailed past the Rock on its way to Glasgow on Monday.

The summit, COP26, is the latest in a series of global climate conferences held every five years, but this one is considered by many as the most significant yet.

John McKenna, one of the climbers who took part in the event, said: "I think there will be progress that comes from the conference but I don't know if it will be enough to mitigate the negative effects of climate change.

"There is already some change coming but the system we have developed is hard to gear towards more of a green future.

"Any kind of pressure or activism in its small way helps to push the message and allows us to hold policymakers' feet up to the fire."

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter:

Ry McHenry, who works as a doctor and was another member of the team, added: "I'm probably not a natural climate activist.

"I'm too sceptical about the power of the individual to exert meaningful change when we're faced with a crisis on this scale, and think it's the role of government and policy to lead.

"However, I can rig a rope and the message is one I firmly believe in, so when asked if I could help, I was more than happy to lend a hand.

"Despite the biting wind and the understandable nerves of rigging a huge banner across a surprisingly complex bit of rock, the day went really well.

"Hopefully it's made some impact, however small, and lends a bit to the momentum that now sits behind the action on climate change."