An 86-year-old man is planning an epic adventure scaling Ben Nevis in aid of Strathcarron Hospice.

Intrepid adventurer Murdoch McGregor, who lives in Sauchie, Clackmannanshire, will take on the challenge in July and hopes to raise £5000 for the charity.

He was inspired to take on the adventure after having a close friend spend time in the Hospice before her death.

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 was named Sailor of the Year in 2021 at the British Yachting awards in London, beating some of the biggest names in the sailing world, after capturing the hearts and imagination of people following his solo sailing trip at the age of 82.

EPIC CHALLENGE 

Now he has his sights set on hiking to the summit of Ben Nevis - the highest mountain in the British Isles.

Trekking up the stony plateau of Ben Nevis, 4413ft above sea level and 10.2 miles, is considered a challenge for anyone, and will no doubt be a massive yet enjoyable challenge for the 86 year old.

Murdoch, said: “I visited the hospice when it first opened and it really struck me even then what a wondrous place it is.

“Much later, 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.

“Coming back and visiting Strathcarron now really gives me that inner strength for the challenge – my experience of this place is very special. On this occasion for this challenge I have felt motivated and inspired like never before because I feel part of the Strathcarron family.

“I have always liked running and was adventurous when I was a kid. I ran when I was in the army. Being in the army really changed my life and helped with the adventurous spirit and I have always had active jobs, including working as a coalminer and fisherman.

“When I was 44 I took up running again and joined Central Region Athletics Club, 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.

“I was driving along looking up at Dumyat last year and was thinking about the days when I used to hill walk. I decided on a whim to attempt to try to do Ben Nevis one more time!

“I started training last November and walked up Dumyat with my pal Davie to see how I would get on. I managed it and Davie said ‘Murdoch…you are surprising me!’… I told him ‘I am surprising myself!’

ADVENTURE 

Murdoch is currently doing endurance training to prepare himself for the epic challenge, where he will be joined by a team of friends including Frank Harper, a Scottish international marathon runner.

Murdoch added: “In my adventures I have faced many fearsome challenges, many of them at sea in the wildest of conditions, and yet succeeded. Ben Nevis however is a totally different challenge, and given my 86 years, it simply has to be the greatest ever physical challenge of my life.

“I love music so for something a bit different I’m aiming to take some song sheets and lyrics for the song ‘Climb Every Mountain’ from the Sound of Music and try and rope in other walkers who we meet at the top to join in a sing along for an impromptu Ben Nevis choir!”

Mel Duffy, Community Fundraiser at Strathcarron Hospice, said: "We would like to thank Murdoch for taking on this incredible challenge in aid of the Hospice and wish him well on his epic adventure.

“We need £19,452 daily to provide our vital services to end of life and palliative care patients and their families when they are most in need. We receive approximately one third of our funding through the NHS and the rest is raised through the generosity and kindness of those like Murdoch and his supporters who fundraise and donate. Every pound is vital so we are grateful for the support.”

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To donate to Murdoch’s fundraising page visit Murdochs Ben Nevis Challenge at age 86 

Take on a fundraising challenge for the Hospice Fundraising events at Strathcarron Hospice