In an extraordinary feat of endurance, Betty, a nine-year-old Kerry blue terrier, has become the first dog to scale all of Scotland’s hundreds of mountains and hills. This remarkable achievement includes some of the highest peaks across England, Ireland, and Wales as well.
Since embarking on her journey in 2021, Betty, accompanied by her owner Shona Marshall, has climbed 282 Munros, 227 Munro Tops, 222 Corbetts, 231 Grahams, 140 Donalds, and 22 Furths. While most humans would take decades to complete such a challenge, Betty and Marshall tackled all 282 Munros in a single year, averaging four summits a week. The duo’s journey culminated with their latest climb up Morrone, a 2,818-foot Corbett near Braemar, where Betty paused to take in the panoramic views of the Cairngorms.
Remarkably, fewer than 100 people have completed this “full house” of Scottish summits, with the average person taking around 15 years to scale the 282 Munros alone. But Betty, despite her small stature, took just a year, demonstrating incredible stamina and determination.
Marshall initially set the goal of completing the list by June, in time for Betty’s 10th birthday, mindful of how long her dog might be able to continue the climbs. Betty’s impressive achievements were fueled by more than 800 hard-boiled eggs and 415 tins of sardines, essential energy boosts for her extensive trekking.
Betty’s incredible journey is a testament to the strength and spirit of this determined terrier, proving that age and size are no barriers to greatness.