Linlithgow man to climb three highest peaks in one day

Neil Barnes is aiming to reach the three highest points in the UK in just 24 hours later this month.

He said: “Many people think the three highest points are Snowden, Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike, however that is untrue as the highest points are all in Scotland.”

Neil and three his ex-colleagues will be scrambling up Ben Nevis, Braeriach and then Ben Macdui.

On July 30 at midnight, Neil, Gary Wylie, Darren Young and Gordon Yeaman will begin their mammoth trek in Fort William and will aim to finish 20 hours later in the Cairngorms have climbed the other two.

In total the climb is well over 12,000ft and will certainly push each man to their limit.

Neil said: “It will be tough going, especially if the weather is bad. However it is all for a good cause.”

Last year the group attempted the same task, however, the Scottish weather denied them the chance of completing the three in one day.

Neil said: “Last year we had to do the three peaks in two days due to snow. Some of the mountains were covered in it, which makes it more difficult to walk up.

“We also had a woman who was seven months pregnant with us, so we had to make sure we didn’t push too hard.”

Neil is raising funds for St Peter’s Church in Linlithgow as well as Burgh Beautiful.

The communities manager at Warmworks in Edinburgh had previously been involved with Transition Linlithgow and knows first hand the excellent work Burgh Beautiful do in the town and Neil said that is the reason some of the money will go to the group.

Neil’s friend Andrew Ramsay has led the plans for community wing extension at St Peter’s Church and Neil believed the extension will be a benefit to all the community.

He said: “I am not a religious man, however more space in St Peter’s church will bring benefits to everyone so I am more than happy to help raise money for the project.

“I feel it will offer another fantastic service to the community so I am fully behind the plans.”

Reverend Christine Barclay praised Neil for his fundraising efforts.

She said: “It is wonderful that Neil is doing this for the church. The money raised will massively help us build this extension.”

The church already has planning permission for the build, which will see an upper room, two toilets, a kitchen, two meeting rooms and disabled access added to the back of the building.

Christine said: “The rooms will available for the community to use, not just the church.

“This is a thriving community, we already have the Linlithgow String Orchestra, choirs and groups using the church so we do need some more space. It’s exciting times ahead for Linlithgow.”

To donate to Neil’s three peak challenge visit http://lct.org.uk/lin/17-peaks.