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Kilted North East trekkers climb Mount Everest for Highland Hospice

The trekkers at base camp at Mount Everest
The trekkers at base camp at Mount Everest

A team of kilted trekkers has climbed to base camp on Mount Everest to help raise vital cash for Highland Hospice.

John Urquhart from Ullapool, Alex Mackenzie from Cawdor, Mark Bain from Nairn and Susan Drew from Kirkhill started their ascent on Tuesday, November 11, and will arrive back in Inverness next Thursday.

The three men in the team have been wearing their kilts for the entire challenge, battling the cold temperatures and effects of altitude on their way up to the camp at 17,600ft.

Mr Urquhart – whose wife, Rene, was cared for at the hospice until she died in 2009 – was first to sign up for the challenge.

Mr Urquhart previously canoed down the River Zambezi in 2012 with Mr Bain and Mr Mackenzie and the intrepid trio jumped at the chance to raise more cash for the hospice, along with their new member.

The four trekkers, who have very little mountaineering experience, trained for about six months for the challenge.

They have been in regular contact with the hospice by phone, and Mr Mackenzie’s last text read: “We are doing well. Half way down now. Sunny during the days but freezing at nights. Sleeping fully clothed in a sleeping bag and still cold.

“What pictures are being taken by people from all over the globe.”

Amanda Burt, Highland Hospice events fundraiser, said: “They have been saying that they are getting on fine and they all made the base camp without too much difficulty. It was not too bad until about two days before they reached the camp, when the temperatures got very low. A couple of them suffered a few headaches and sickness but it was nothing too bad.

“I think their kilts were a big talking point and I think the locals were really interested.

“I am just so proud of them. They have done a fantastic job, especially with the time they have given through training and being away for three weeks. It’s a huge dedication and I am so pleased that they made it to base camp safely.”

The foursome have so far raised more than £10,000 through the challenge.

To donate visit

https://www.justgiving.com/kiltedchallenge/