Father and Son Take on Epic Climb to Raise Funds for Scouts Scotland

Welcome to the next instalment of Badges and Blethers. In a remarkable show of courage and determination, Adrian and his son Kyle from the 3rd Inverness (Crown) Scouts recently scaled one of Scotland’s most challenging peaks, the Inaccessible Pinnacle on the Isle of Skye. Their mission? To raise crucial funds for Scouts Scotland, and support more young people to experience the great outdoors. We sat down with Adrian to hear about this unforgettable journey and the motivation behind their incredible effort.

Q: This was no ordinary adventure. What inspired you and Kyle to take on such a daunting challenge?

Adrian: It was all about doing something meaningful together, while giving back to the Scouts. Kyle absolutely loves being outdoors so we had some experience of the mountains but we knew this climb would be an incredible challenge for both of us. But more than that, we wanted to help raise funds to give more kids the chance to experience adventures like this one.

Q: How did you prepare for such a climb? I understand you both did a training day?

Adrian: Yes, exactly. I wanted to see if Kyle could physically handle a climb of that scale, so we took on Scotland’s second highest Munro. That was a seriously long walk but not too technical. It was the perfect test, and Kyle did great! He showed real grit and determination that day, and it gave us both the confidence to go for the Skye ridge and ultimately the Inaccessible Pinnacle.

Q: The day of the climb finally arrived! Can you tell us what it was like?

Adrian: It was truly an amazing day. We set off just as the sun rose, which made for a beautiful start. By the time we reached the ridge, we were already at around 900 meters, so we could really feel the altitude. But reaching the Inaccessible Pinnacle, the main challenge of the day, was something else entirely.

Interviewer: The Inaccessible Pinnacle is known to be one of the toughest Munros in Scotland. What was it like to climb up and then abseil down?

Adrian: It was definitely intimidating! The Pinnacle is very exposed, and it requires both mental resilience and physical skill. Kyle handled it all incredibly well. He was nervous, but he pushed through, and together we made it to the top. The abseil down is a 20-meter drop, and he braved it brilliantly. I couldn’t have been prouder—it was one of those moments you just never forget.

Interviewer: That sounds incredible—and challenging! What was going through your mind when you finally reached the top?

Adrian: For both of us, it was a mix of joy and relief, really. Seeing Kyle reach the summit was a proud moment, and knowing we’d accomplished it together made it even more special. The fact that we were doing it for a good cause just added to the feeling. Kyle was tired but thrilled, and he understood that we were helping make adventures like this possible for other kids.

Interviewer: The funds you raised will go directly to helping young people experience the outdoors. Why do you think that’s so important?

Adrian: Outdoor experiences build confidence, resilience, and lifelong skills. For Kyle and so many other kids, going away with the Scouts will be one of their only opportunities to have those experiences but not everyone can afford it. By raising these funds, we knew we’d be helping other young Scouts discover that same love for nature and adventure, just like Kyle has.

Interviewer: And what would you say to anyone else looking to take on a similar challenge?

Adrian: I would say go for it but do it safely. It has taken years of training and experience for me to be ready to guide someone up a climb like the Ipin. I also realise it’s not for everyone so you do you, do something fun, do something silly, there are lots of ways to raise money. How you define a challenge is different for everyone.

Adrian and Kyle’s journey is a true testament to the spirit of Scouting – fostering resilience, adventure, and community.  If you’d like to support their mission and contribute to Scouts Scotland, you can do so here. Meanwhile if you fancy taking on a challenge of your own why not check out our fundraising page.

Do you have a story from your Scouting community you’d like to share? Get in touch.