An 86-year-old man has raised an incredible £2000 attempting to climb Ben Nevis in aid of Strathcarron Hospice.

Intrepid adventurer Murdoch McGregor, who lives in Sauchie, was inspired to take on the adventure after having a close friend spend time in the Hospice before she died.

The inspirational grandad is well known in Clackmannanshire and beyond for being the oldest person to sail solo and circumnavigate the UK coastline on his own.

Murdoch, a former army veteran and member of Central Region Athletics Club who had previously completed the Ben Nevis Hill Race, set off with a team of friends on Saturday morning to attempt to summit the highest mountain in the British Isles at 4413ft above sea level.

"This has been the biggest physical challenge of my life"

Murdoch said: “I took on the challenge as the Hospice really is a wondrous place. I had a close friend cared for there. I will never forget sitting down on a bench at the beautiful pond with her before she died, of my thoughts when I was visiting her and my happy tears at the at the glorious autumn day we shared as we said our final farewell.

“Visiting Strathcarron a few weeks ago gave me the inner strength for the challenge – my experience of this place is very special and I have felt part of the Strathcarron family throughout this challenge.”

With temperatures soaring throughout Saturday 16 August, Murdoch – an experienced walker – sadly took unwell with the effects of the baking heat as he reached over 3000ft. The team made the difficult decision that for health and safety he should halt the challenge and make his way accompanied down the mountain.

Murdoch said: “The day was forecast to be warmish with a cool breeze which was going to be manageable. We set off and were having a great time chatting to walkers along the way, however when we reached over half way the breeze completely disappeared. I knew then we were in for a rough time. There was no shade and the heat became really intense.

“Long before I buckled we had been passing people coming down who were saying it was too warm and they had abandoned their walk. Just over 3000ft I had to slow down massively due to the heat and then started becoming delirious and hallucinating. My legs just went to jelly.

“I’ve ran marathons, cross country and taken part in hill running - including the Ben Nevis race a few times - and I have tried to keep myself active since I retired. But I felt defeated by the heat on this occasion.”

Murdoch knew he was in danger of serious heat stroke so made the tough decision to descend, holding onto the shoulders of one of his friends for support on the way down.

He said: “This has been the biggest physical challenge of my life. I was absolutely shattered that I had to give up. I was really disappointed as I didn’t want to let anyone down but knew it was the right thing to do. If we had continued on at the same pace we would have summited but then descended in the dark which wasn’t safe.

“In reflection I haven’t taken it as a defeat. It wasn’t the mountain that beat me, it was the heat. I didn’t quite make it, but I know what I did was still extraordinary for an 86 year-old. I had been training since November and I might be 86 but my legs feel just 50! It really was a day to remember.”

Murdoch’s friend Keith McDevitt MBE who accompanied him on the walk, said: “Murdoch did an amazing job getting as far as he did in the difficult circumstances of a scorcher. He soldiered on past 1000m which was truly amazing.

“I had to persuade him to call it a day, he didn’t want to give up feeling he would disappoint himself and everyone who supported his challenge. The terrain at the top was lots of loose boulders and very challenging for anyone half his age, especially in that heat.

“Nearly 10 miles, 1000m elevation and 15.5 hours of trekking is not a failure. It was a testimony to this great man’s spirit of adventure and determination. A true legend and inspiration.”

Mel Duffy, Strathcarron Hospice Community Fundraiser, said: “We would like to thank Murdoch for taking on this incredible challenge for the Hospice and praise him for his achievement. It’s no mean feat climbing Ben Nevis at any age. He should be proud of the fantastic amount of money he has raised which will help others in our community at one of the most challenging times of their lives.”

---

To donate to Murdoch’s epic challenge visit his fundraising page Murdochs Ben Nevis Challenge at age 86 | Strathcarron Hospice