Keen hill walker, Jim King (75) from Lanarkshire, completed the 154km West Highland Way in June as a fundraiser to mark 10 years since losing his youngest brother Frankie to pancreatic cancer.
Jim (right) with nephew John Paul
Joined by his nephew John Paul, 51, the duo finished the classic route, which runs from Milngavie, north of Glasgow to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands, in six days, averaging around 15 miles a day and stopping over at hostels along the way.
“This is the fourth time I’ve done the West Highland Way and John Paul’s first. It was great to do it with him as family means a great deal to us both. I’m one of eight siblings – Frankie was the youngest. I do miss him, he was such a happy person and loved life, and would be off travelling with his wife and daughter in their caravan every weekend.
“So it was wonderful to share that time with my nephew. We were able to reminisce about both Frankie and my younger brother John, John Paul’s late father, and spend time in a stunning environment where the views are breathtaking.”
Whilst the scenery may have been idyllic, the weather wasn’t! Says Jim: “The first two days were too warm – it was absolutely scorching, then became more overcast which is better for walking. But then on the last day, there were 30mph winds and driving rain in our faces for the last 15 miles!”
Together they raised over £4200 – including generous match funding from John Paul’s employer, Morrisons.
There may be more adventures together as Jim says that John Paul has definitely got the walking bug now. But sadly for Jim, he wasn’t able to put his feet up on his return: “There’s no rest for the wicked – my wife Elizabeth had me painting the lounge the day after we returned!”