Talks and Presentations

Ian gave illustrated slide lectures of his travels and experiences to well over a hundred different organisations, groups, guilds and clubs around Scotland and beyond. He was usually booked up well over a year in advance, and was often out speaking several nights a week.

Many of these groups had him back over and over again - in some cases - such as the Greenock Philosophical Society - he spoke at their meetings every year for thirty years.

Below is a list of just some of the presentations he offered these groups - a mix of personal trips, Scout and school expeditions.

 

1. DESERTS AND CANYONS OF SOUTH WEST U.S.A.

Camping and hiking trip visiting National Parks in Arizona, including Bryce, Zion, Monument Valley and Grand Canyon, etc.

 

2. CONDORS OVER COTOPAXI

Trekking in the Andes of Ecuador, with attempt on volcanic peak of Cotopaxi.

 

3. SLOW BOAT TO TIMBUKTU

Travels in Mali in West Africa, including trek in Dogon country and three days down River Niger to legendary city of Timbuktu.

 

4. KILIMANJARO - AFRICA’S ICY SUMMIT

Travels in Tanzania, followed by ascent of Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro, at 19,340 feet.

 

5. CHALLENGE OF THE CAUCASUS

Joint Russian/Scottish expedition  to the Caucasus Mountains in Southern Russia  to climb Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest summit, at 18,481 feet.

 

6. “KEEP MONT BLANC ON YOUR LEFT!”

The classic Tour de Mont Blanc, from Chamonix in France, via  Italy and Switzerland. ( IBEX Mountain Group.)

 

7. THE ENCHANTED MOUNTAINS

Expedition to Los Encantados in Spanish Pyrenees. (PGHS GEOG-EX.)

 

8. PEAKS AND PASSES IN EASTERN PYRENEES

Expedition to Carlit Range of Eastern Pyrenees in France. (7th Paisley JNI Scout Group)

 

9. JOTUNHEIMEN - LAND OF THE GIANTS

Expedition to Jotunheimen Mountains in Central Norway. (PGHS GEOG-EX)

 

10. APPROACH TO EVEREST

Trek from Katmandu to Base Camp of Mount Everest at 18,00 feet.

 

11. SPITSBERGEN - LAND OF POLAR BEARS, GLACIERS AND MIDNIGHT SUN.

Expedition to explore Spitsbergen in the Arctic.

 

12. HIGH ATLAS TRAVERSE -  MULES AND MINT TEA IN MOROCCO’S MOUNTAINS

200 mile trek through Atlas Mountains with ascent of M’Goun and Toubkal peaks.

 

13. MONGOLIA -  LAND OF THE BIG SKY

Explorations in this remote country, from the Gobi Desert to northern mountains.

Travels by bus, foot, camel, horse and yak across the steppe.

 

14. LANDSCAPES AND PEOPLES OF THE ETHIOPIAN HIGHLANDS

 Journey off the beaten track in Northern Ethiopia.

 

15. THROUGH ANCIENT NUBIA - ACROSS THE DESERTS OF NORTHERN SUDAN

Journey up the River Nile from Cairo to Khartoum, visiting well known Egyptian sites  and relatively unknown Sudanese ones lost in the desert.

 

16. SAND DUNES AND SEA WEED IN THE SAHARA

Trekking in dunes of Mauritania  and  journey by vehicles across this empty  land.

 

17. DESERT TO DELTA AROUND THE KALAHARI

Journey from sand dunes of S. Namibia  to Okavango Delta  in N. Botswana