2025-03-18T11:11:15+00:00

Gareth reaching new heights with fundraising hike for dad

Aberdonian Gareth Mackie is fundraising for Friends with a series of four hikes in memory of his dad.

The 40-year-old shipping controller is tackling Bennachie, Mount Keen, White Mounth Circuit and Ben Nevis and has already smashed through his £1,000 target.

Gareth’s dad Derek Mackie passed away peacefully at Roxburghe House at the beginning of the year aged 63.

“I chose this challenge because I love the scenic views of the hills and mountains and pushing myself to achieve new goals,” he said.

“It’s really good for clearing my head. I have previously done some hiking but not this many hikes in a short period of time.”

Starting in May, Gareth is climbing on consecutive months:

the two highest peaks of Bennachie, Oxen Craig and Mither Tap, a hike of nearly six miles that ascends to 490m
Mount Keen, the most easterly of the Munros, a cone-shaped summit sitting at 939m
the White Mounth Circuit is a long 18-mile hillwalk taking in five Munros - Lochnagar, Càrn a' Choire Bhòidheach, Càrn an t-Sagairt Mòr, Cairn Bannoch and Broad Cairn – with an ascent of 1,228m
Finally the famous Ben Nevis: the highest mountain in Britain, with a route described as “straightforward, if strenuous”. It takes between 7-9 hours to cover nearly 11 miles and ascend 1,3452m

He will be accompanied on all the hikes by family and friends as well as some work colleagues who are supporting him on the trek up Bennachie.

“I’ve not hiked in a while so the physical element will be difficult but in my opinion the biggest challenge is the mental aspect,” he said.

“It’s easy to give up when you’re tired but with a strong mindset and an amazing cause we’ll keep the mindset strong to achieve these goals safely.”

Gareth has already surpassed his original target with pledges totalling more than £1,500 and he said he was grateful for the support.

“I am absolutely stunned by the support shown towards this amazing cause,” he said.

“Everyone has been very generous and I am extremely grateful of each and every one of them.

“I’m doing this in memory of my dad, who was a character and will always be remembered.

“If he knew what I was planning, he would have said I was ‘aff my heid’ but I also know he would have loved the fact we are raising funding for such a good cause.”

Friends of Roxburghe House will be putting the funds raised by Gareth towards the upgrade of the children’s play area inside Roxburghe House, which they will be funding this year.

If you’d like to support Gareth as he scales the Scottish heights to support Roxburghe House, you can visit his JustGiving fundraising page here.

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