Lorraine describes how her amazing fundraising challenge to climb 231 mountains in one trip was inspired by her mum Margaret
“Being outdoors is my happy place. I love spending time in green spaces – it just makes you feel good.
“Growing up I was a city girl, and it wasn’t until I went to university that I discovered the mountaineering club and everything changed. There’s nothing quite like the sense of achievement in making it to the top of a mountain. Although even just a walk in the park can lift your spirits and ease any tension.
“As I headed into my 60th year last year, I wanted to set myself another climbing challenge, and this time to raise funds for Alzheimer Scotland.
“A few years ago my mum Margaret, who’s 77 now, was diagnosed with small vessel disease which then led to Alzheimer’s. She’s such a funny, kind woman and I wanted to do something special for her. I also lost a very good friend of mine to dementia in 2007 and wanted to honour her memory too.
“So in April 2024, I set out on a journey to climb all 231 Graham mountains in Scotland – that’s peaks between 2,000 and 2,500ft. It involved hiking, cycling and taking boats, with wild camping and stays in mountain bothies.
“I started out near where I live in Beauly and finished four months later on Stac Pollaidh, near Ullapool.
“It was more difficult than I imagined, including some relentless weather on Mull, and there were moments where I felt like I couldn’t go on. But I was determined to push through, and climbed the final peak with the support of friends. Sometimes in life you have to put yourself through something a bit tough to experience the good parts.
“I’ve been through treatments for breast cancer and two bowel cancers, which have taken a toll on my body but I won’t let it stop me getting out. You can still go on with life.
“I’m the first woman recorded to climb all Scotland’s Grahams in one single journey, which I’m really proud of. I previously climbed all 282 of Scotland’s Munros (peaks over 3,000ft) and all 221 Corbetts (2,500ft to 3,000ft), which I completed in amongst my cancer treatments.
“I hope my challenge might inspire someone else to get out there and live life to the full. I’ve been giving talks about my journeys and hope to write a book about it too.
“I also hope I can help raise awareness of dementia and the support that’s available from Alzheimer Scotland. You’ve got to hope that one day we can find a cure, because it’s something that affects people of all ages and walks of life.
“It’s taken me a while to settle back into normal life in the past few months, but I’m already looking forward to my next big challenge – climbing all the Munros in Ireland (known as Furths). I can’t wait to get back out there.”
Massive thank you to Lorraine for sharing her story.