Footsteps of Giants

 Glencoe Mountain ski area.  World famous and frequented by the stars who pop by occasionally.

Daniel Craig on location in Glencoe

007 may have an Aston Martin DB6 but Hamish has a 944.  Hamish's co-pilot for today's mission was Phillip Rankin WW2 Mosquito Reconnaissance pilot and veteran of being shot down and surviving a dunk in the channel. They do not make them like that anymore!

Phillip Rankin and Hamish MacInnes.  Hamish took Philip up in his Porche 944

Lovely afternoon up at Glencoe Mountain hosted by Andy Meldrum and Glencoe Mountain to celebrate 60 years since the idea of a ski area was floated by Phillip Rankin, and 56 years since the first lifts went in.

Andy Meldrum has Phillip unveil his picture portrait which was taken by Jennifer Wilcox

It was so nice to catch up with the folks who made all this possible, and to see Phillip honoured in this way. He may be 95 years old but he's as sharp as anything and gave a truly great and very humorous speech in which he acknowledged the pivotal part played by the first ski patroller's, and their ingenuity in acquiring parts of Clyde shipping to make Glencoe run.  

Jack Williamson (facing the camera) the original Glencoe ski patroller and mountain man.  Another legendary character

All in a great afternoon and nice to meet up with folks who new me as a spotty youth skiing way too fast. It was lovely that this was a small private affair and a privilege to have been invited along. What shines through is that this is a ski area held in great esteem and much loved, and will always be unique as Scotland's premier ski area for true mountain loving people.

Reflected view from the old ticket office looking up the current chairlift