John took part in our Venture Round Scotland challenge last year, choosing to generously donate after completing a personal challenge of bagging all 282 Munros across Scotland!
I’ve never written a blog about myself. Why am I doing it this time? I’m going to try and encourage you to explore the wonderful outdoors we have here in Scotland. I’d like to tell you about my outdoors journey and see if I can inspire you to get outside. There are so many adventures to be had, and it’s all about making those first steps.
In August 2025, I finished a round of the Munros. Just a few years ago, I never believed I could have done such a thing. I didn’t even know what a Munro was. I used to enjoy getting outdoors, but it was mainly on my bike. I knew very little of Scotland and wouldn’t have been able to point out many places on a map.
About 7 years ago, my partner Nicola took me to a beautiful area of the Cairngorms to have a low-level wander around Loch Muick. All I could see around the Loch were the mountains. When Nicola explained about the Munros, I knew I had to climb one! The most famous mountain at Loch Muick is called Lochnagar, and to this day, it’s still one of my favourite places in Scotland.
A few weeks later, we climbed Ben Lomond. My first steps and my first Munro. It was amazing, I didn’t get great views at the summit, but the feeling of being outside and having an adventure was just fabulous. A few more hills followed quickly, and I was already learning about new parts of Scotland that were only a couple of hours from home.
As my journey went on, the routes got bigger and more remote. I began to love the feeling of calm that I found on the hills. Sometimes I would do them with company, other days myself. Regardless of the weather, the location and the difficulty of the day, I found peace with the surroundings and a feeling of gratitude to be in these amazing places. Getting out with friends on the hills gave days that we still talk about many years later. A sense of adventure shared with other people is something very special.
When I am out, I often imagine that I have the picture of “recharging” logo above my head similar to your phone. There is no doubt that the hills are medicine for mental health. I always feel better after time outdoors.
Over the 282 Munros, I’ve seen a lot. One of my favourite days is getting cloud inversions where you look down at a carpet of cloud. There is nothing like it. I’ve crossed wire bridges, waded across rivers, been through many peat bogs, and abseiled on the Cuillin ridge in Skye. I came across a herd of wild horses in the Fisherfields when I was miles from anywhere. I’ve walked with the headtorch in the dark, one time getting the fright of my life when I looked up to find a bull looking right at me in the dark. Walking through a herd of highland cows near Loch Awe was another highlight.
Have I persuaded you yet? There are so many options, and you don’t need to start with the Munros. Just take the first step that suits you and see where your path takes you. Whichever direction you go, it’s absolutely certain it will give you positive memories you’ll never forget.
P.s. I often get asked what my favourite Munro is. It’s Ladhar Bheinn (pronounced ‘Lar-ven’) on Knoydart. An adventure I’ll never forget.