Following a meal and business we were pleased to welcome guest speaker Ross Cunningham to our meeting of 12th June.

Ross spoke with deep feeling of the way that walking and hill climbing helped him recover from work-related stress and depression. We heard that in his early thirties he had fallen into a deep depression, unable to carry on with his normal life.

He was encouraged to start walking, along with his westie ‘Dex’ - and this led him to tackle a Munro - and then into a plan to tackle one Munro a week! He has now completed all 282 of Scotland’s highest mountains! We heard that his remarkable  journey included the learning of new skills in order to stay safe in the hills - and not least to overcome a fear of heights. His moving talk was illustrated with fine photographs.

Now 37 years of age Ross helps others with encouragement, support and mentoring.

Following questions a warm vote of thanks was proposed by club member Ann O’Connell.