When we reminisced about how long we had known one another, it turned out to be an unbelievable (but true!) eight years. She was only a lass then. We met while marshalling for the Islands Peaks Race on Jura and on lots of subsequent Carnethy events. One year on Jura we had a superb run round the Paps, collecting the check-point markers. On the way back to Craighouse we suffered the long tussocky grass, like everyone else. We decided to have a rest. I remember well the long snooze in a lovely, warm sun on totally dry ground. My perception is that Jane has matured beautifully since those days. I didn't tell her that and I hope I don't embarrass her by saying so. We chatted in Jane's flat over a delicious dinner, produced by her fair hand, and the occasional glass of wine.

I always think of you as a Carnethy member, but you're a Westie, really.
         Actually I'm a weejie and a Westie. No, westie doesn't mean brought up on the West coast - although I was. (I had got terribly mixed up about westie meaning westcoaster). It's just that I happened to join the Westerlands Club when I first came to Edinburgh and I didn't want to leave them. Once a Westie always a Westie!

Just a minute, what's a weejie?
         A Glaswegian - I was born and brought up in Glasgow. My family still live there and I visit a lot. I have an elder brother and sister. My education, school and University, was in Glasgow.

And you're also a veggie.
         Yes, I observe a vegetarian diet; I watch my diet carefully. I don't eat meat or any animal products. It keeps me very well and my weight under control.

Were you a sporty type from an early age?
        Not really sporty but I did all the usual school sports, like hockey and swimming and those sort of things. I got into running when a friend encouraged me to do a marathon. I was somewhat surprised to find I enjoyed it and that was the start of my running career. I don't do marathons any more but I kept doing half marathons.

So what did you do at University and afterwards?
         I read Computer Science and my first job took me to London. But there aren't any mountains down there. Never mind, even without mountains the Big City was great! Except they didn't know that 'wee' meant small, so I kept getting misunderstood! I joined a north London club, started training seriously and running "properly" instead of just doing a few casual miles a week. Mostly it was on the road, although we did some cross-country. Then I had a year in Ayr (on the west coast!) and kept up with the cross country.

What brought about the transition to hill running?
         I met a guy called Matt Ogston - you will know the name? - in Ayr and he recommended the Carnethy Five. That was my first hill race and others followed. One funny incident I remember was going to Symington to do the Tinto. Unfortunately, I went to Symington in Ayrshire and couldn't find the race! My navigation has improved a lot since then.

So eventually you decided that to be near the Carnethy Five you would move to Edinburgh? (I got that wry Robertson smile and sideways look. And a tut).
         The job brought me here and I've lived in Edinburgh for 10 years now. With friends from University I joined the Bog Trotters and Westerlands. The hill running was a big part of my sporting and social life. In Glasgow it's family. Here in Edinburgh there's more freedom and independence. I value the independence and my own flat and my own circle of friends. I remember visits to Edinburgh with the family as a child.

Why did you join Carnethy?
         On a trip to Meggatland I met a few of the Carnethy folk. They were so friendly and relaxed about their running. Not fiercely competitive. That appealed to me. The weekends and trips away that Carnethy have are wonderful. And the social events, such as the Spenceleys' Burn's Supper, are so enjoyable. I liked the whole atmosphere so much I thought I'd better join.

So have you travelled a lot?
         Yes, I love travel and seeing places with a totally different culture. I went to Nepal and Ladakh, and have visited Vietnam. The next trip will be to Peru with the Ladies Trekking Expedition in July this year. You can handle the altitude, then? Oh, yes. I haven't had any problems with altitude up to about 17,000 feet.

You like the mountains?
         I compleated the Munros last year, so I have got to know the Scottish mountains quite well. Navigation improves dramatically when you are alone and everything depends on it. I did about a quarter of the Munros on my own. My favourite? Blaven. There was a stunning view of the Cuillin Ridge. It was such a memorable walk. Although I took up walking in the mountains because an injury stopped me running, it was a great discovery.

Are you still troubled by the bad back?
         Unfortunately, yes. My back has been seriously painful for about a year now, interfering with my training and running ability. It has become so that I don't want to go out with people because I can't keep up with them. I'm sensitive about holding them back. But you know everyone is sympathetic, and they're not competitive. Yes, I know that. Its inside me that this feeling is generated. I can't help it.

You've done a few Karrimors and a lot of orienteering, too.
         There was this telephone call out of the blue one day from a fellow I'd never heard of, called Willie Gibson. I'd no idea who he was. He asked me to do a Karrimor with him. The idea of sharing a tent with a man I didn't know was a bit strange, to say the least. Anyway, I'm glad I agreed. We had a great time and I enjoyed the whole experience. Willie is now a very good friend. The orienteering was with the encouragement of Bill Gauld and is very enjoyable. All excellent contributions to improving my navigation.
        
Do you like music - singing, playing an instrument, dancing?
         I played the piano a lot when I was younger and still do play occasionally. Going to concerts is a pleasure of mine. Dancing? Well, ceilidhs, only. I once broke a toe at a ceilidh!!

What do you read?
         Mostly adventure and travel. Factual things mostly. I enjoy John Grisham.

A topical question - what are your views on the £10 to SAAA?
         Well, I've paid it, for some reason. Don't know why. I think the Clubs are the important unit and to be supported. Anything which interferes with that is wrong. SAF is so remote for me. If I want to put something into my sport I prefer to do something like the marshalling for the Islands Peaks Race. You make a contribution, meet lots of runners, make friends, see the Islands and have a great weekend! That or helping with the organisation of a hill race.

Whom should I interview next?
         Joanne Thin. And what about you being interviewed?

We chatted on for ages about personal things. I wish I could say I had persuaded Jane that her back injury was going to be temporary. That, even if it takes a while to recover her former very high standard of fitness, she can enjoy doing what is possible now. I tried to encourage her to go out with friends at whatever pace, while being careful not to aggravate the injury. We agreed about our sympathy for people like Andy, who have been superbly fit and successful as hill runners and who are now suffering the privation of a prolonged injury. When you're as old as The Interviewer, one accepts the privilege to be able to run in the hills at any speed! But when you're young, with boundless energy it must be very frustrating. I'm thinking of you, Jane, and willing your back to improve. I know a lot of other people are, too.