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Re: Jim Taylor

Very sad, but I suspect many of us would be happy to live to that age.
I had the privilege of meeting Jim on the slopes of Sgurr Mhurlagain on 10 May 2014, as he was strolling over to Kinbreack. "You know I'm 91" he announced at some point during our long chat. One of my regrets of that Challenge was that I'd been too absorbed in conversation with him to even think about taking a photo.

Re: Jim Taylor

We had the privilege meet Jim last year on the way to Tomdoun after his mishap on the way from Kinbreack.
In fact he camped at Tomdoun with us.
A lovely gentle, soft spoken man.
We offered him tea and some food, but he turned it down politely.

"I doont carry a stove, water and oats will do".

Hard as nails!

I hope I can live to be even close to Jim's 91, and be even half as humble.

Re: Jim Taylor

A privilege to have met this humble man,a cooper with many grand tales.
Our thoughts are with his family at this sad news.

Norman and Myra Reeves.

Re: Jim Taylor

Such sad news; but what a gentleman.

Exceptionally modest, very kind and gentle, diligent in his entry and route submissions, respectful and highly respected.

And what an achievement, to have reached such a fine age while never having had stop taking part in this event. Many of those who milled around Control during my few years behind the desk were startled to learn that Jim was of such an age - he put many younger participants to shame in terms of fitness and youthful good looks - let us hope that we can all be blessed with such fitness and longevity!

Jim was just the kind of gent who made organising this beautiful event such a pleasure. He's hiking somewhere (even) better now…

Re: Jim Taylor

A mighty soul.

Re: Jim Taylor

Worth recounting what Jim said after he'd been presented with the engraved quaiche to mark his 20th.

I think he was set on sneaking out of the Park before any of that presentation nonsense could be ladelled on him, but we nabbed him at the foot of the stairs and hand a few gifts on the stand that HanWag had set up in the coffee "lounge in the foyer. As well as the quaiche, Hanwag presented him with a bottle of something peaty and mature, so he was laden.

Jim said something along the lines of "Right, I'll be off for the bus now then, just stopping of at the pawn shop along the way!"

Re: Jim Taylor

We're very sorry to hear about Jim. We met him on several Challenges and we were always in awe of his energy for a man of his age. He seems to walk on beef jerky and whisky, think we'll have to try that combination. He was one of the names on the Challenge that we would always look out for and so sorry we won't see him again. As has been previously said, he was very modest and quiet but a very interesting man. Our best wishes go to all his family.

Re: Jim Taylor

Sad to hear.

Last year, when I met him, (for just 2 short periods), Jim's calm manner and stoic attitude made a great impression on me.

We spent 40 minutes or so chatting at Corryhully bothy on the first day. After 20 minutes of conversation, I only twigged his great age after he mentioned working on Spitfires. Then, he gave me a few tips for looking after ones physical self. He showed me a few of his morning stretches. I have a photo of him from then - not just touching his toes, but bending forward with hands flat on the floor! He had intended to camp there, but decided it was too early so made his way on up. I was heading South, so we said our goodbyes.

Then, after finishing on the last day, Andy Wright and I got on the bus to Montrose at Roadside of Catterline. Jim was there having finished further North (in Aberdeen I believe). As, we walked to the Park Hotel with Jim, he told us of some his crossing. After we signed in, and he got his dues, as John has written, he slipped off quietly.

Re: Jim Taylor

That's so very sad. I was hoping to bump into him last year but he signed out 20 minutes ahead of me and that meant no hope of catching him. Getting old can be so unfair, fit enough to walk across Scotland then passing on within a year.