WOMAN IS FIRST TO CLIMB ALL SCOTLAND'S GRAHAMS IN ONE TRIP
A climber from the Highlands has become the first woman to climb all the Grahams in Scotland in a single journey.
Lorraine McCall took four months to climb the 231 Grahams - classified as hills of between 2000 - 2500ft (609m - 762m).
Ms McCall, from Beauly, has already climbed all 282 Munros - Scotland's highest mountains of over 3000ft (914m).
Her journey began on her 59th birthday in April, and involved hiking, cycling and boats to reach remote Grahams - with wild camping and overnight stays in mountain bothies.
Ms McCall completed her challenge on Stac Pollaidh, near Ullapool.
The climber, who has had breast cancer and two bowel cancers, told BBC Radio Scotland's Mornings programme: "You are living very much in the moment."
"It's not about bagging them, I need a challenge to get me out.
"You have to put yourself through something a bit tough to experience the good parts."
Ms McCall has previously climbed all of Scotland's 221 Corbetts - mountains between 2,500ft - 3000ft (762m and 914m).
She said there were times she struggled with breathlessness on ascents due to the impacts of cancer on her health.
She said: "There are a few toileting issues in the morning, but in general it hasn't stopped me getting out and doing things.
"I think that is quite an important message. You can still go on with life."
Ms McCall is the first woman recorded to have completed the Graham challenge on a continuous round.
Her adventure raised money for the charity Alzheimer's Scotland.
On her trip, paths overgrown with bracken and heather and bad weather were among the challenges.
She said five days spent on the island Mull had been tough, adding: "Each day it got wetter and windier and mist came down and the last day half my tent was blown away."
But the high points included watching the Northern Lights with friends.
She said: "The whole sky was full of beautiful stars and just standing there near the end and knowing I was going to actually finish was quite a special moment."
2024-09-06T11:16:59Z dg43tfdfdgfd