Heroic 86-year-old Scot gears up to climb UK's highest mountain in epic charity effort

Daily Record

27-06-2025

Murdoch McGregor, 86, is planning on climbing Ben Nevis in July to raise money for Strathcarron Hospice after a close friend spent time in the hospice before her death.
An adventurous 86-year-old is preparing to scale the UK's highest mountain – all in a bid to support charity.
Murdoch McGregor intends to conquer Ben Nevis to help raise essential funds for Strathcarron Hospice, in Denny.
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Murdoch, from Sauchie, Clackmannanshire, has set a fundraising target of £5,000 for the hospice when he sets off in July.
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He was moved to undertake the hike after witnessing a dear friend's final days spent under the compassionate care provided by the hospice.
Famed in Clackmannanshire and further afield, intrepid Murdoch holds the distinction of being the oldest individual to complete a solo circumnavigation of the UK coastline by boat.
At the British Yachting Awards in London in 2021, he took home the Sailor of the Year accolade, eclipsing some illustrious names in sailing, thanks to the wide admiration garnered from his solitary voyage at 82-years-old.
Now at 86, Murdoch is determined to tackle the peak of Ben Nevis, which stands as the tallest mountain across the British Isles.
The task of climbing the rugged terrain up to the summit of Ben Nevis, rising 4413-feet above sea level and stretching 10.2-miles, poses a formidable test for anybody, but promises to be an immensely rewarding feat for him.
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Looking forward to the climb, 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 glorious autumn day we shared as we said our final farewell.
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"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."
Murdoch maintains his fitness regime and shared: "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."
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Reflecting on a recent drive, he recounted: "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'm surprising myself!'."
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Currently, Murdoch is undergoing endurance training to ready himself for the monumental challenge, where he will be accompanied by a group 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!".
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Mel Duffy, Community Fundraiser at Strathcarron Hospice expressed: "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."