Rock climbing 'started in Scotland not Lake District'
- Published
A BBC documentary reveals the world's first ascent was by a team of young Scots along the Sutherland coast 140 years ago
Rock climbing as a hobby and sport started off the north west Highlands and not in the Lake District, a BBC Two Scotland programme will claim.
Climbing as a recreation is thought to have begun with an ascent of Napes Needle in 1886.
But The First Great Climb will point to three men from Lewis ascending the Great Stac of Handa, Sutherland, in 1876 as the first recorded climb.
Three leading climbers recreated the ascent for the programme.
Dave MacLeod, Dave Cuthbertson and Donald King used authentic clothing and equipment from the time.
The filming was done by Inverness-shire based Triple Echo Productions.
It will be shown at 19:00 on 22 November on BBC Two Scotland.
- Published29 June 2011
- Published29 August 2010