Lifesaving volunteers in the Cairngorms are to host their first art exhibition, showcasing impressive works by the offspring of two mountaineers.
Angus Grant, an art teacher from Grantown Grammar School, and Elizabeth Pirie, an art teacher based in Edinburgh, will highlight a selection of works, depicting a number of well-loved landscapes from across the national park, as part of the Coastguard Mountain Rescue Team’s (MRT) inaugural exhibition.
Mr Grant’s father, Grantown-based GP Peter Grant, served as one of the team’s physicians for 35 years from 1981 to 2016.
His works focus on the lochs of the national park, drawing inspiration from exploring the waters during a day’s fishing.
He said: “I’m delighted to support the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team. This is charity that means a great deal to my dad and he loved his time working with the team. This is the best way that I can help them out.”
Meanwhile, Mrs Pirie’s father Eric joined the team, aged just 18, and embarked on a fulfilling career teaching individuals to explore the mountains.
The 55-year-old remains a dedicated member of the Cairngorm-based team and has instilled a passion for adventure in the great outdoors in his daughter.
This remains the inspiration behind her works, which often feature the mountains from the perspective of a skier or mountaineer, examining the tension between the beauty and danger of these wild places.
She said: “When I was growing up, many of the rescue team were like family, and my parents even met in the rescue team. The rescue base was always a safe and welcoming space to wait for Dad to come back from rescues.
“I’m in awe of not only what they do, but the care, commitment and love that they share for mountain rescue. It is a joy to contribute to the work that the team does so well.”
The Into the Cairngorms event will be open to the public at their Inverdruie base, near Aviemore from August 10 to 18 from 10am to 4pm to help raise funds for the team’s vital rescue work – which has spanned more than five decades.
