Post by Jenny McBain, a freelance writer from Ullapool, who is providing special reports on the daily Summit content.
Here in Scotland, we're familiar Jim Mather MSP as our Minister for Tourism within the Scottish Government, and we also acknowledge his success as an entrepreneur in the computer business.
When he spoke at the ATTA Adventure Travel World Summit in Aviemore last night, a whole new side of his character was revealed. Turns out he has spent over 30 years exploring the many mountains and wild places which are such a pronounced feature of our small country.
In fact, at one point he was what is known as a Munro bagger, which is a person who sets out to climb all 283 Scottish mountains which exceed 3000 feet in height. Knee trouble has forced him to hang up his hiking boots so he has take up mountain biking.
Mr. Mather shared this inspiring quote with us: The late Scottish mountaineer and writer Bill Murray said, “Whatever you can do or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, passion and magic in it.”