Andrew Brickell receives a certificate from Prince Charles marking his status as John Muir Trust’s 10,000th member, with his wife Leesa and sons Archie and Cameron
A keen hillwalker and munrobagger got the royal seal of approval to mark his membership of one of Scotland’s leading conservation groups.
Andrew Brickell is the 10,000th member of the John Muir Trust, which owns some of the best mountain land in Scotland, including much of Ben Nevis. Mr Brickell and his family received a commemorative certificate from the Prince of Wales at the trust’s John Muir’s Birthplace in Dunbar.
The trust was formed in 1983 to campaign for the safeguarding of wild lands and to oppose development.
Mr Brickell, of Perthshire, was accompanied by his wife Leesa and sons Archie and Cameron at the presentation of the certificate. He said: “As a family we have a strong affinity to the outdoors and are drawn to wild and beautiful places.
“I am a keen hillwalker – only 11 munros remain – and spend as much time as possible with friends and family outdoors. Our boys love to go camping and exploring wild places which I am sure provides them with something that they just cannot get anywhere else.
“It is our love of the outdoors which has driven us to join the John Muir Trust and support their ethos focusing on the conservation and protection of wild places.”
Stuart Brooks, Chief Executive of the John Muir Trust, added: “We would like to thank each and every one of our members for helping the UK’s leading wild-land conservation charity reach this important milestone.
“From humble origins our achievements, often in the face of considerable odds, are a tribute to the sheer commitment and determination of our members, volunteers and staff.”
John Muir was born in the East Lothian seaside town of Dunbar in 1838 and moved to America as a child. He pioneered the protection of wilderness land and the setting up of national parks.
The JMT owns 24,300 ha (60.047 acres) of land and helps manage and advise on a further 90,400 ha (223,383 acres). It has 3,000 conservation volunteers and owns, in addition to its Ben Nevis land, the Red Cuillin on Skye, Schiehallion, Quinag and Sandwood Bay.
