Wild Moment: John Kubale
Long term member of the Trust receives an ‘OBE’ from his local walking club in Australia.
On reaching age 80, members of Australia's Shoalhaven Bushwalkers receive the club’s most coveted badge - the OBE (Over Bloody Eighty) badge. John Kubale got in touch to tell us more.
“I have been a Trust member for about 30 years and have been visiting Strathaird in Skye for 61 years. First on holiday with my parents, then converting their home - Strathaird House pictured here with Bla Bheinn in the background - to a guesthouse and running it for 15 years until 2002.
"Every couple of years I fly back to Skye from Australia and stay in a cottage nearby. I try to do the Scurr nan Each-Cache Glas-Blaven traverse, each time. However, last August I was unable to do so because of a leg problem.
"Fortunately, I recovered in time to join my local walking group back in Australia for the 'Castle scramble' in September – where I had a special 80th birthday celebration in a wild place."
John (pictured on the right) enjoys a well deserved slice of 80th birthday cake.