Spinks, who completed a Double Ramsay Round last year, will be speaking on the last day of the Braemar Mountain Festival (28 February­–3 March).

In her talk, Nicky will lead the audience through how she came from farming and four-mile fell races to breaking records, winning 100-mile races and attempting challenges she never dreamt that she would ever consider.

Although the Festival is largely aimed at walkers and climbers, other items on the packed programme will appeal to trail, hill and ultra runners.

Members of local club Deeside Runners will be leading a social hill run (9am, Sunday 3 March), starting from the Castleton Hall. The outing is aimed at those who have done some hill running and would like to experience the wilds of Scotland in winter. Different options will be on offer depending on the fitness and skill levels of participants, as well as the weather conditions on the day.

Any runners who take to the hills and trails regularly would also benefit from the Festival’s half-day Mountain First Aid course (9am and 1.30pm, Saturday 2 March).

Led by Phil Glennie, a qualified Winter Mountain Leader, senior first aid instructor and a long-serving member of Braemar MRT, the course is designed to get participants thinking about of how to respond to first aid matters in a remote, mountain environment. There will be lots of practical advice such as first aid kit recommendations, emergency procedures and common accidents.

Speaking about the Festival’s programme, organiser Alastair Hubbard said: “All of this is set in the beautiful village of Braemar, which continues to go from strength to strength as one of Scotland’s leading outdoor destinations. There’s a real buzz in the community about BMF 2019 and we’re looking forward to welcoming friends old and new to the area.”

For more information and to book tickets, see the BMF 2019 website.