*this charity event was rearranged from 14 July to 25 December, 2025 due to Bear the Labrador receiving treatment for his foot*

I hope you have been lucky enough to have driven over the Bealach na Bà which winds through the mountains of the Applecross peninsula in the Scottish Highlands.

It is the third highest mountain pass in Scotland and boasts the greatest ascent of any road climb in the UK.

It rises from sea level at Applecross to 2,070 ft in about 3.7 miles – and features some very tight hairpin bends that switch back and forth up the hillside with gradients nudging 20%.

One of those hairpin bends holds a very special memory of my husband, Stephen.

I plan to scatter his ashes there one day.

It was July 2015, and we had rented out a cottage at nearby Kishorn to celebrate his 50th birthday.

I decided to run over the Bealach after spotting two cyclists on the route. I awoke early the following morning ... terrified and excited in equal measure at the prospect of failure or triumph. My husband jumped in the car to follow behind and pick me up at the other side of the mountain … as always.

It was the most amazing running experience of my life.

The ascent tested strategy, technique and commitment while the smooth road surface gave a clear run without having to scrabble over the inevitable rocks and boulders of a typical mountain.

And when I hit that final switchback on the summit approach … oh heck, I suddenly remembered it was our wedding anniversary!

I did an immediate about-turn and ran down to the passing place where Stephen had parked to give him a great big kiss.

I remember laughing and waving back to him as I made my way up again and onto the summit.

That memory is forever imprinted on the Bealach switchback.

I went on to smash the 13.1 miles down and onto Applecross retained fire station.

Stephen turned 50 the next day, which was also a source of great hilarity ... and we had the most amazing holiday.

The last time we journeyed together over the Bealach was 2022.

Stephen had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and it was starting to take a toll, but he was determined to make the drive.

He was the one who displayed the most remarkable fortitude on that mountain pass.

It turns out.

Fortitude and resilience.

Stephen died aged just 57.

He was my whole world - a bear of a man at 6’4” tall, an uncompromising journalist, fearless, far too intelligent with a forensic brain, loyal to the core … and supremely funny.

He was also very generous of heart.

I have carried out several fundraisers at his request for Maggie’s, the RSPB and the RNLI.

I wanted to celebrate his 60th birthday (Monday, 14 July 2025) with a nod back to the Highlands and conservation efforts to protect the Scottish Wildcat.

The ‘Highland Tiger’ is a fearsome wee kitty that skulks about, camouflaged, hunting animals as big as hare. It is an icon of the Scottish Wilderness but its’ population has declined due to habitat loss and persecution … and it is now listed as Critically Endangered.

Your donation would be most appreciated to celebrate Stephen's memory and his admiration for the Scottish Wildcat ... and indeed all wildlife.

And please do stop for a moment on that final switchback if you ever do hit the Bealach for the view is quite simply stunning ... and, regardless, we are all so very blessed.