Inspiring story of man who climbed all of Scotland’s Munros after turning 80 is changed into a movie
When Canadian filmmaker Jay Golian and his wife Christina had all their wedding photography work cancelled during the pandemic, they set out to look for a project that combined their love of the outdoors and storytelling.
Stumbling upon then 80-year-old Nick Gardner’s challenge to climb all 282 Munros, they could never have expected that his epic 2,000-mile adventure would become their first feature-length documentary.
Heartbroken after his wife of 50 years was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and osteoporosis and taken into care, Mr Gardner knew he had to do something to stave off depression.
So, in 2020, he decided to climb every one of Scotland’s peaks above 3,000ft in a maximum of 1,200 days – completing his final one in August 2022 with 400 days to spare.
Now, almost four years on, the Golians’ film, The Oldest Munro Bagger, is due to have its debut at the London Mountain Film Festival (LMFF) early next year.
Nick Gardner decided to climb every one of Scotland’s peaks above 3,000ft in a maximum of 1,200 days – taking on the challenge when he was already 80 years old
Mr Gardner and his wife Janet in their younger years
A guard of honour was held by fellow walkers and supporters for Nick Gardner, aged 82, when he reached the top of the final mountain in his self-imposed challenge
Mr Gardner during a walk back down from Ben Nevis
Described as an uplifting story of resilience, hope and love for the mountains, the documentary charts the highs and lows along the journey and captures Mr Gardner tackling the country’s most challenging peaks – including the Greater Cuillin Traverse on the Isle of Skye, regarded as one of Europe’s greatest routes.
Mr Golian said the project was not without its difficulties, including Covid restrictions which meant social distancing while conducting interviews and out walking – and the challenging weather.
He recalled: ‘At one point Nick’s beard froze into icicles.’
He also admitted ‘keeping up with Nick was also tough – he strides up those hills and, if anything, he got faster as the challenge continued, despite being bothered by an aching knee’.
Mrs Golian added: ‘Nick’s capacity for reflection and growth was incredible to witness.
‘The perspective and wisdom he brings to life, and the inevitability of death, is life-changing to experience.’
Mr Gardner’s challenge raised more than £150,000 for Alzheimer Scotland and The Royal Osteoporosis Society – and he now holds the Guinness World Record for the ‘oldest person to bag the Munros (male)’.
A spokesman for LMFF said: ‘Everyone needs a Nick in their life.’
