Andy Nisbet

Just over a week ago Andy Nisbet and Steve Perry died on Ben Hope in the north of Scotland.  I had not met Steve, but had the privilege to have met Andy on a number of occasions whilst being a part of the Heightings for The Munro Society (TMS) and the Scottish Mountaineering Club (SMC).

Over recent years the pair had forged a strong climbing partnership.  Prior to this Steve had completed a long distance walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats taking in all the 3000ft hills on the way, two years later in 2005-2006 he completed a continuous winter traverse of all the Munros; a phenomenal achievement and one that has not been repeated since.  His winter Munro round finished on the most northerly Munro; Ben Hope, and it was this hill that Steve and Andy were pioneering new routes on when they met their death.

Andy’s climbing achievements amongst the Scottish hills are unparalleled as he was considered the most prolific Scottish winter climber that the country has ever produced.  He accumulated over 1000 new Scottish winter climbing routes and was a past President of the SMC.  As I did not know Steve, my memories are of Andy; he seemed a quietly confident person with an ever ready smile and was not brash but humble considering his achievements. 

During the Heightings on Skye, Andy was good enough to participate in an interview which I conducted with my digi-camcorder and which was then posted on YouTube.  When I heard of Andy’s death I sat and watched and listened to this interview and felt saddened that someone so highly regarded  and who was such a nice person was no longer with us.  The interview appears below, and I hope in some small way it is a testament to Andy.

At this sad time my thoughts are with Andy and Steve’s family and loved ones.