Breaking barriers: Inverness hiker advocates for inclusivity in Scotland's Munro community
A Highland hiker with a passion for inclusivity has found another source of inspiration.
Inverness-based, David Solomon completed all of the Munros this year but despite his research he thought he was the first black man to have finished them all.
However, after some media attention it has come to light that Charlie Ramsay had completed them all in 1991 - and he was also the inspiration behind Ramsay’s Round.
David had been searching for someone who ‘looked like him’ since 2021.
“I wanted there to be someone to look up to,” he explained.
“It turns out he’s a legend of the Scottish mountains!”
David has now had the opportunity to speak with Charlie and told us his thoughts.
He said: “Charlie wasn’t sure if he was the first black person to do it - because it’s not something that’s on paper.
“It’s not something you are given a prize for at the end of the day.”
David now hopes to ensure that data is recorded about where people are from when they complete Munros.
For him, being able to see this will encourage inclusivity and others to take on outdoor sports.
David explained: “Wherever you go you need to fill in your race, whether it’s at the hospital or for jobs.
“We should should have that on the Munro completion form.
“Every decision we make is with data.”
David will continue to share his story, in the hope of inspiring others to get into the outdoors.
He said: “My main reason for sharing my story was that I just wanted people from within the community to know this is something that we do.
“We’ve come so far in race relations but we need more of us - people need to know that we are out here too.”
Mr Ramsay added: “I have no available data relative to Munros completion lists other than what they quote on their website.
“Myself, and similar other completion lists users, only use name, finishing date, finishing time and direction of travel, clockwise or anticlockwise.
“My position is clear relative to any outdoor or indoor recreation activity: it is recreation and sport for all."
