Bill Cameron - a Tribute

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Bill Cameron - a TributeIt is with sadness that the Team learned that former member Bill Cameron passed away on the 26th of February.

Bill was introduced to the Team in the 70s by friend, and then Leader, Sandy Seabrook. Despite being a fresh face he immediately became known as 'Old Bill'.

Bill soon became responsible for the Team's equipment, then stored in a damp lock-up in Balfron. He gained a reputation for being a great inventor -spending many an hour devising contraptions to help keep equipment in the best of condition. A role he thoroughly enjoyed and excelled at.

Some years later Bill's doctor informed him that he needed a joint replacement and that this would unfortunately end his hill walking days. But, after three months Bill conspiratorially let slip that he had made an discreet ascent of Conic Hill, three weeks after that he was standing on the top of Ben Lomond. Two years later 'Old Bill' announced to the world, and especially his doctor, that he had just completed the Munros - for the third time!

Former Team Leader Bob Sharp clearly remembers Bill wanting to spend a day on Curved Ridge, on Buchaille Etive Mor:

"My clearest memory of Bill was the day he and I climbed Curved Ridge in Glencoe. Bill had always wanted to climb this classic route but his Munro-bagging efforts meant it had been left to one side. When he approached me I was somewhat nervous - perhaps he was too old, too unfit. After all, he was OLD BILL!! We climbed Curved Ridge a week later on a foul day - windy, wet and thoroughly miserable. But, I have to say I learned a lesson that day that has served me well ever since. Never judge a book by its cover! And never make assumptions about those a bit older than yourself. Bill was as fit as an ox. He romped up and down the mountain chatting all day long. He proved to be stronger than me throughout the climb. And his confidence on such steep ground absolutely brimmed. He couldn't thank me enough for taking him up the route he had waited many years to do. But in truth, I gained more than he did. And I have told this story and the underlying lesson to any people across the past 30 years"

Lomond Mountain Rescue Team would like to offer their sincere condolences to Bill's family. He was a great character and will be both sadly missed and fondly remembered.


Bill is pictured above (from left to right) Bill Cameron, Fergus Ewing, Sandy Seabrook, Sir Hugh Fraser and Dick Jackson.