The wild land charity, the John Muir Trust has just appointed a new Chair, Peter Pearson, to replace the outgoing John Hutchison. Peter, who lives in the shadows of the Ochils, has for decades explored Scotland’s hills and mountains.
He has also travelled further afield to the Himalayas, Karakorum, Greenland and Spitsbergen – where anyone travelling outside the island’s settlements is required to carry a rifle as a last line of defence against polar bear attacks.
Peter rose to national prominence in the mid-2000s as a pivotal figure in Stirling Before Pylons, the campaigning group which helped spearhead the fight against the Beauly-Denny transmission line.
His role earned him a place in a national newspaper’s ‘Power 100’ list of the most influential people in Scotland.
Peter, who lives near Bridge of Allan, has over 30 years’ experience as a chief executive/director and board member of three community-based housing associations providing affordable housing.
He said: “I have always had a passion for mountains and wild places, so it’s an honour to take on this role.
“The Trust is respected across the UK for its work in protecting and restoring wild land, and for its acclaimed John Muir Award scheme which inspires people to get involved with nature and wild places.
“My predecessor John Hutchison has been a superb ambassador for the charity, and will be a hard act to follow, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”