As published in The Munro Society Newsletter No.66 April 2026. 'Scotland- In the beginning'. My first trip ever to Scotland was by steam train from Blackpool to Aberdeen with my Grandmother. The year was around 1950 when I would be 11. As a trainspotter I spent the entire journey getting smoke in my eyes, and a black face, from standing with my head out of a corridor window (then openable!) so as not to miss an oncoming train. We stayed a week in the Granite City with friend

A small number of locals would respond to Sid's phone call about an incident, and Rescuers were recruited by Sid visiting his busy Bar