A Highland woman described as a legend of Scotland’s climbing and skiing communities has been awarded the Polar Medal – six decades after her husband.
Myrtle Simpson, aged 87, of Kincraig, has been recognised for achievements in the Arctic.
She became the first woman to ski across Greenland with four others on an unsupported expedition in the 1960s.
The medal is approved by The Queen and is given to those who have undertaken expeditions in extreme hardship.
Her husband, Hugh, was awarded a Polar Medal more than 50 years ago.
Mrs Simpson is still a keen skier and competes in senior races every year – her main competitor is 97-year-old George Stewart from Perth.
She said: “Now and then when the snow is right, I don’t do anything fierce, but I still love the ambience, love getting up the hills. I always say it is a great sport for the elderly because the lifts take you up and all you have to do is come down.
“On a good day if we get snow you will see quite a lot of over 60s, 70s and 80s skiing up here.
“To start with I thought it was a mistake. Of course I’m quite chuffed because not many women have got it. I think I am the ninth. It is usually scientists who get it for work they have done in the Polar region.
“I’m just laughing, my husband was asked what he thinks about it. I expected him to say, ‘oh darling, I’m so pleased for you,’ but he said ‘family competition,’. That’s just a joke.”
She added: “A lot of kids miss out on having a real adventure with all these health and safety pressures. It is a shame because most explorers die in their beds, they don’t die in the field because they know what the hazards are.”
Mr and Mrs Simpson have four children, 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
The Simpsons are the only the second husband and wife to both be awarded the medal. Sir Ranulph Fiennes and his late wife Virginia were the first.
It was first awarded in 1904 as a reward to those who took part in Captain Scott’s first expedition to Antarctica.
Mrs Simpson attempted to ski to the North Pole in 1969, getting further than any other woman had previously.
Her husband, her companion on all her Arctic expeditions, was awarded his own Polar Medal for his work in the Antarctic.
