The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Getting to know you
Tristan Cameron-Harper, professional ice hockey player turned mountaineer and photographer, shares his views on life
Q Where in the world are you happiest?
A A place where I’m surrounded by mountains, trees and wildlife away from the busy city.
Q Favourite part of Scotland to explore?
A I know it sounds cliched, but it has to be the Scottish Highlands. I love everything about the highlands, the history, the landscape, the ancient sites, the folklore stories, even the weather. There is so much to learn and uncover.
Q Which musicians, alive or dead, inspire you?
A I wouldn’t pick a particular song, I would rather have a musical piece or musical score with different influences and twists and turns that represent how my life has been.
Q Your house is on fire, what one item do you save?
A My first and only priority would be getting myself and my dog out of there. My dog would be my number one priority.
Q Theme song for your life?
A Now that’s a first for me, maybe Hook main theme song by Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and Erich Kunzel.
Q Last meal on Earth?
A I reckon fresh wild-caught Scottish salmon grilled with a little lemon salt and butter to perfection with a side of a large salad filled with foraged fresh organically grown vegetables.
Q Dream dinner party guests?
A My top picks would be Albert Einstein, Bob Marley, Nikola Tesla, Alex Grey, Allan Watts and Dean Martin. I think it would make for an interesting evening.
Q First thing you’d do if you won £1 million?
A Make sure my family are financially secure, and have everything they need, and clear off any bills. The boring but important stuff out the way first, then I’d get my thinking cap on to see what I could do with what is left, maybe even plan an expedition.
Q If you could rule for a day, what would be the first thing you would do?
A Make it mandatory for schools to teach the natural sciences from primary school to secondary and help them work towards preserving it and protecting the environment.
Q Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
A I was Mr Scotland for three years.
Q If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A Good old Scottish porridge.
Q What is the best advice you have ever received, and who did it come from?
A Always keep learning and growing, a friend.
Q Favourite holiday destination?
A This depends on my purpose for going on holiday. Right now I am looking forward to getting among the mountains. I would say a trip to India and journey through the Himalayas because there is such endless beauty there and amazing terrain.
Q Describe yourself as if you were a fine wine?
A Lively and complex, but mellow and earthy.
Q Have you ever had a paranormal encounter?
A I have had strange encounters on a few occasions.
Q What was the first album you ever bought?
A Pink Floyd The Dark Side of the Moon.
Q If you could go back to any point in history, what would it be?
A I would quite like to go back to the Egyptian Era around 3,100 BC, or maybe go back to the height of the Sumerian Civilisation.
Q Happiest memory?
A My happiest moment was adopting my dog Nacho, and seeing him off the lead for the first time. It was like he stopped and was taking a moment to himself to take in all that was around him, and this big breath as if to say “I’m finally free”.
Tristan Cameron-Harper’s love of the outdoors is bringing him north for Foraging Fortnight (August 29-September 13). He’ll be travelling over the Cairngorms, past the broch of Carn Luath, by the harbour and river of Dunbeath and on to Orkney, sending stories and images along the way. foragingfortnight.co.uk