Election of President and board members

I am London born but have spent most of my adult life in Plymouth and Aviemore. I grew up walking on the South Downs, Dartmoor and Exmoor and following a move to Devon in 1987, spent a great deal of time exploring Dartmoor on foot and on horseback.

Before my retirement I was a Clinical Nurse Manager in the NHS, I also hold a Masters Degree in Management. I have been a member of The Munro Society since 2005, holding the posts of Secretary and President. I am also a Trustee of the Mill Cottage Fund (SCIO).

 I fell in love with the mountains during a trip to Scotland in 1998 and I had no idea then, how hillwalking would shape my life over the next 25 years. My appreciation for the hills blossomed in my mid 30s and I discovered a passion for the mountains which has since taken me to some extremely remote and challenging places. Following a move to Aviemore in 2008, hillwalking has kept me physically and mentally strong and I have developed a deep connection with the landscape and the natural environment. I have completed five rounds of Munros and in September 2023 I became the first woman to complete two SMC Full Houses (the completion of two rounds of Munros, Munro Tops, Corbetts, Grahams, Donalds and Furths).

Using my own personal experience, I would like to show that women of any age and athletic ability should not be deterred from accessing the hills. I am keen to encourage women of all ages to safely explore and enjoy the Scottish mountains by advocating that the hills are a place to be shared by all. I look at the days spent on the hills as time well spent; time that has improved my confidence and wellbeing. I am at my happiest when out in the wilds and immersing myself in the freedom of the landscape.

I believe that my passion and enthusiasm for the Scottish hills and my extensive hill walking experience will be beneficial to Mountaineering Scotland.

Brendan has been an individual member of Mountaineering Scotland since 1999.

He started hillwalking and climbing when a student at the University of Glasgow and has been lucky enough to explore many of the Scottish hills and bothies over the years.

A career in the diplomatic service offered opportunities to climb further-afield with expeditions in the Karakorum, Hindu Kush and Himalaya in between postings. 

Brendan was the Inverness Backcountry Snowsports Club (IBSC) Mountain Safety and Training officer from 2020-2023, before taking up the role of IBSC President in June 2023.  He holds a Winter Mountain Leader qualification and has a strong interest in all aspects of mountain safety and training.

Now firmly settled back in the Scottish Highlands, Brendan is working toward compleating his Munro’s and enjoying as much ski-touring as the snow conditions permit!

Born in Scotland but spending much of my youth in South America I was introduced to Scotland’s mountains by my father and they have been a live long passion. I compleated the Munros in 2007 and am probably on my way to a second round now but am not admitting that to my family. My hill walking has introduced me to scrambling, winter climbs and a love of all forms of mountain sport including now cross country mountain biking which takes up a lot of my time mainly cycling the paths of the Scottish lowlands but I have cycled to a number of Munro summits.

My introduction to climbing started abruptly when my five year old son showed an adept ability at it climbing all parts our house. He was quickly taken to EICA to take this passion in a more structured format and has never looked back. Through his involvement we initially climbed inside and then joined the Quickdraw Club and so moved to climb outside and learn its various forms and pleasures. Climbing has taken us to Crags UK wide and in France and Spain. Whilst my son does competes indoors at the various competitions (and I accordingly volunteer as a judge)  my main interest aligns to the outdoor and mountains. In that capacity I am currently the Chair of the Quickdraw Club, which seeks to provide a platform for young climbers in the East of Scotland to climb together outdoors.

Professionally, I am a property lawyer qualified in England and Scotland, mainly practicing in Edinburgh for last 28 years.