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This year’s popular Boat of Garten winter talks could be the last outing





Funds from the talks go towards the upkeep of Boat of Garten Community Hall which is at the heart of village life.
Funds from the talks go towards the upkeep of Boat of Garten Community Hall which is at the heart of village life.

‘Scotland’s most remarkable woman’, conquering Everest and cycling in Vietnam and Cambodia are amongst the subjects in the 21st and final outing of a popular talks series.

Organisers of the Boat of Garten Winter Talks have confirmed they will be bowing out at the end of the current programme.

Spokesman Mike Martin said: “This will be our final season of winter talks so we hope people agree we have managed to persuade some excellent speakers to share their wonderful experiences with us.

“After 10 years the current talks team feel it is time for us to step down.

“But if there is anyone who would like to take over, please let us know and we would be delighted to support them.

“In the meantime, we really hope people will come and support this final season and enjoy the programme.”

“We have a great line up of speakers, both old and new, covering a wide range of topics.”

Amongst the subjects will be the story of navigation from a sailor's perspective; the 4th Duchess of Gordon - ‘Scotland's most remarkable woman’; climbing Everest with Sam Cairns, of Feshie Bridge; the history and work of the John Muir Trust; ospreys in the Cairngorms - ‘a 70 year success story’ and cycling through Vietnam and Cambodia.

The Cairngorms National Park Authority’s chief executive Grant Moir will also be one of the guest speakers.

The first of the latest round of talks takes place on Monday October 21 at Boat of Garten Community Hall.

Mr Martin said: “We start with a very special fund raiser for the Dunkeld-based Little Sherpa Foundation with Cameron McNeish and James Lamb along with films from Bafta award-winning film makers Richard Else and Meg Wicks, of Newtonmore, known for their work on the Adventure Show.

“The foundation was established following the tragic avalanche that hit Everest base camp and the subsequent massive earthquake in Nepal a decade ago.

“It raises funds to deliver a variety of projects across the Solu Khumbu and we are delighted to be supporting their work.

“This will be a terrific evening with well-known local walker, author and broadcaster Cameron McNeish leading inspiring talks, pictures and films along with a raffle and items for sale including signed prints by renowned artist James Hawkins.”

All talks start at 7.30pm, admission is £6 and proceeds go to support our fantastic community hall and from the first Talk the Little Sherpa Foundation.

James Lamb will join Cameron McNeish for the first of the 2024/2025 Boat of Garten Winter Talks.
James Lamb will join Cameron McNeish for the first of the 2024/2025 Boat of Garten Winter Talks.

This year’s first expedition….

‘More than Just Mountains’ with Cameron McNeish and James Lamb is the first outing.

A chance encounter between James Lamb, from Dunkeld, and Tashi Lama, a Buddhist monk from Tengboche monastery that coincided with a massive avalanche at Everest Base Camp changed both their lives.

The tragedy led to an enduring partnership and, following the devastating earthquakes that hit Nepal in 2015, the establishment of The Little Sherpa Foundation.

The foundation is focused on supporting the Sherpa communities living in the Solu Khumbu area and funds the rebuilding of clinics, schools and infrastructure and the provision of grants and bursaries.

This evening will include illustrated talks focussed on the mountains and Sherpa communities living in this part of Nepal by Cameron McNeish and James Lamb along with a film ‘Sherpa Speak’ made by Richard Else and Meg Wicks.


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