Princess Royal set to hit new heights in Perth

Oct 2 2009 by Alison Lowson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A LEADING mountaineer is to talk in Perth about the world’s most revered mountain - with Princess Anne in the audience.

Martin Moran will be speaking about Nanda Devi on October 13 at Perth Concert Hall as the first of five illustrated talks celebrating the Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s 125th anniversary this month.

Immediately after the talk, the society’s vice-president, HRH the Princess Royal will be in attendance to award this year’s RSGS University medals to the best undergraduate geography students from Scottish universities and will officially open the RSGS headquarters building recently completed following the society’s move from Glasgow to the Fair City.

Nandi Devi, one of the world’s most impenetrable and revered mountains and India’s greatest mountain, has long captivated people.

A tantalisingly beautiful peak, guarded by two barrier rings of nearly impassable mountains, it has sacred status as the daughter of the Himalaya in local folklore.

First explored by Shipton and Tilman in 1934, it has been Martin Moran’s personal quest to reach it through 15 years of expeditions.

Widely regarded as one of Scotland’s leading mountaineers, he has achieved many major climbs in Scotland, the Alps and the Himalayas, and is the author of several books.

The Royal Scottish Geographical Society is 125 years old this month and is celebrating this special anniversary by organising its best ever programme of illustrated public talks.

An outstanding line-up of 35 inspirational speakers will deliver a great series of nearly 100 fascinating talks on a wide range of geographical topics, at venues across Scotland from Aberdeen to Dumfries, running until March.

Amongst the speakers are adventurers (Benedict Allen, Dee Caffari), environmentalists (Patrick Holden, Jeremy Leggett), scientists (ethnobotanist Dr Paul Cox, geologist Dr Iain Stewart), expedition leaders (Colonel John Blashford-Snell, Chris Minty), mountaineers (Martin Moran, Stephen Venables), travellers (John Dunn, John Pilkington), historians (Stuart Nisbet, Julie Summers), writers (Cameron McNeish, Fred Pearce), and TV presenters (Vanessa Collingridge, Monty Halls).

Their subjects range from the past history to future sustainability of mountains through planes to the sea, covering more specialised topics including food security, population, local and global travel, mountaineering, climate change, explorers past and present, round the world sailing, and sea kayaking.

RSGS’s chief executive Mike Robinson said: “We are very excited by this programme of talks, which promises to be our best ever. We hope people will come along and be inspired by the amazing stories told by some remarkable people.”

Admission to the Moran talk costs £6. Children, students and RSGS members go free.