Kincraig's polar hero tells her story
At 93, Badenoch's polar legend and skiing pioneer Myrtle Simpson has 'sold out' for her latest public presentations and those who missed out are being advised to join a waiting list for future talks.
Mrs Simpson, who has often filled local halls with accounts of her remarkable life story, will tomorrow present her film "A life on ice" to the Storylands Sessions at Loch Insh Outdoor Centre.
"No-one could be more fitting as our late show special guest than #StorylandsSessions regular Myrtle Simpson," said a spokesperson for the series.
"A life-long adventurer, Myrtle has walked, climbed and skied across some of the world’s harshest terrains from South America to the North Pole."
Called ‘the mother of Scottish skiing’, Simpson was the first woman to ski across Greenland on an unsupported expedition.
She has climbed virgin peaks and lived among indigenous peoples, writing several books along the way.
Awarded the Mungo Park Medal by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture and the Polar Medal, in 2017 she became one of the Saltire Society's Outstanding Women.
She is only the 10th woman to receive the Polar Medal. The "mother of Scottish skiing" was president of the Scottish Ski Club in the 1970s and has written several well-received books.
"The Kincraig resident is a faithful supporter of the sessions, always quick to encourage, and it is our enormous honour and pleasure to welcome her as special guest," the Storylands team celebrated this week.
"Both our Early Show and Late Show are fully booked, but why not join the waitlist on Eventbrite in case of late cancellations and follow our page to stay up to date with all our #StorylandsSessions happenings!"
