Over and out for Perth abseil team

Jul 30 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

FIFTEEN years down the line, a gung-ho Perth trio who have helped raise more than £225,000 for deserving causes are preparing to call a halt to their abseil activities.

Scone adventurer Jock McInnes admits the day will be tinged with sadness as he and close pals Mike Scott and Peter Cruickshanks lead an August 7 assault on the Craig-y-barn cliff face, near Dunkeld.

Letham youth football teams will benefit from their final venture on the celebrated Highland Perthshire rock face.

Jock recalled: “It all started about 15 years ago when I left The Black Watch after more than 20 years’ service.

“I was the regimental physical and adventure training sergeant, so I had all the experience and qualifications required to run abseils.

“Mike was the manager of Scone Amateurs and asked if I would organise an abseil to help the club raise much-needed funds.

“That was the start of it all and every summer we’ve kept it going, with a wide range of organisations benefiting.”

After eight years, Jock faced a serious quandary as a variety of ropes and harnesses he had blagged from the regiment at weekends were required for operational duties in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He said: “That was when Peter became involved. I advertised in the PA and his business came to the rescue with some vital sponsorship.

“But Peter was only prepared to sign the cheque if he was allowed to tag along. That was fine by us, it meant another pair of hands to share the load every Saturday!”

And so was born the Perth Charity Abseil Team, with their expertise allowing groups of friends from pubs and clubs and various workplaces to enjoy the thrills of abseiling, boosting chosen charities along the way.

Jock revealed that football rather than abseiling had taken its toll on Mike’s knees and Peter is busy moving his business base.

Dubbed ‘Greystanes’, 53-year-old Jock, – who has conquered Mount Elbrus and Kilimanjaro for charity in recent years – is counting down to his next big adventure.

All will be revealed at a Glasgow press conference next month, with Jock hooking-up with a legendary former Scottish footballer to wing his way to another daunting challenge.

Looking forward to next month’s Dunkeld swansong, he said: “We have never taken a penny for our time, but we head back to Kinnear’s Inn in Scone for a sandwich and soup laid on by hosts, Alex and Kathleen Peechy.

“The agreement is that everyone taking part buys us a pint, so they are always good nights!

“Stevie McDuff is a coach now with Letham and he was actually on one of our first-ever abseils so we’ve come full circle.

“As we started with a football team, it’s appropriate that we’ll finish on the same theme.