Di Gilbert

I was born in Aberdeen and contrary to the stereotypical Scot, I don’t like Irn Bru, I don’t wear tartan, I don’t have ginger hair and I’m not a huge fan of Whisky.  I work as a full time Mountaineering Instructor based in the Cairngorm National Park, because the weather is better and there are fewer midgies than on the West. It is also very central to get to the best place with the best weather. This career has evolved from my passionate love of climbing, mountaineering and skiing.

The mountains themselves are my greatest inspiration and, more importantly, from the people who spend time in the mountains. Having climbed around the world, nothing feels better than driving North up the A9, through the Drumochter Pass, knowing that I am going home.

I’ve been lucky enough to have spent over 20 years working and playing in the hills sometimes being in the right place, at the right time with the right people to have been able to do some pretty cool things. Sometimes, I get it wrong, but that’s all part of the adventure.

I’m always looking for the next big adventure, either on home turf or further afield. No sooner do you complete a project, you have already started on the next one. The list never seems to get any smaller …