My love of mountains was nurtured at an early age. I can still vividly remember scrambling up Green Gable in the Lake District with my dad when I was seven years old, the first peak I had ever attempted. My lingering memory was looking over to Great Gable as it appeared out of the mist, thinking 'one day when I'm older I'm going to be back to climb up there'. During my teenage years I was a patrol leader in the scouts, and by the time I had Ieft home for Edinburgh University the late 1980s, I'd climbed all the high peaks of the Lakes, Snowdonia, and scaled Ben Nevis a grand total of six times! Through my student days I tackled many of the Scottish Munros and classic rock climbs, and began leading walks with friends. I'd jump at the chance to get out in the hills, whether it be an outing along the Aonach Eagach ridge, or a bothy trip to Staoineag or Shenavall. Since then, I have continued to wander across the Highlands and Islands, searching out its nooks and cranies in the most spectacular, out of the way places'.