By Mette Nielsen

Ben Lomond couldn’t stop her. Neither could Ben Nevis. Nor The Andes or Himalayas.

27-year-old Julie McElroy might have Cerebral Palsy, but she loves the wild mountains and glens so much that she will, literally, crawl her way up if she must.

And in this the Year of Natural Scotland, she will share her enthusiasm with a group of disabled people going exploring and camping for five days in the area where it all started for Julie herself: In the Loch Lomond National Park, at the foot of Ben Lomond.

Early sparks

Having an able bodied twin sister and friends singled Julie McElroy out from an early age. Her cerebral palsy affects her speech, hearing and mobility, and she often could not keep up with the other kids when just walking around. But that didn’t stop her from wanting the same things as her sister – especially when it came to the outdoors:

“I wanted to do the same outdoor pursuits as her, such as climbing in the countryside, but the support network wasn’t there,” says Julie McElroy.

Then when she was 10 years old, she was challenged by her father: Julie was to climb Ben Lomond in Scotland:

“I did everything possible: Walked, crawled and moving on my bottom, while going up Ben Lomond. It was tough for me, but fun. When I reached the top of Ben Lomond, I was ecstatic. I guess that is when my buzz of the outdoors began.”

Highland highs

17 years on, the buzz is still strong, and Julie McElroy spends as much time as possible in the nature around Glasgow and beyond.

“The wilderness provides an opportunity to reflect and stop focusing on oneself and take into consideration the needs and values of the society around us. It develops a different sense of identity, self-efficacy, and self-esteem. Over time, a feeling the sense of belonging to a larger society,” she says.

A favourite spot is still Ben Lomond, but she also highly recommends Mugdock Country Park as a place most people with disabilities can get a good taste of the outdoors.

Himalaya trekking

But Julie McElroy is not only into the relatively small mountains of Scotland. She has trekked in both The Andes in South America and The Himalayas in Asia. These, she mentions as the greatest two challenges of her life so far.

“Since my mammoth trek across The Andes in 2007, I have felt stronger, and going to India in 2011 was an intensive expedition. It was challenging, and it has changed the way I perceive things about life,” tells Julie McElroy.

Her achievements both in Scotland and abroad have been recognised widely, and in 2011 she was nominated for the Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year. The same year the City of Glasgow awarded her the Lord Provost’s Award for inspirational leadership.  And in November last year, she was awarded the Fellowship of Cardonald College in recognition of her work on equality and diversity.

Adapted canoeing

Having a disability, Julie has often found herself in situations where the “normal” outdoor equipment would not let her enjoy the outdoors. Especially when it comes to other activities than walking: For instance when she was going canoeing as a part of a five day survival challenge by the Scholarship for Environmental Leaders Growing Natural Leaders with the Wilderness Foundation UK, she had issues balancing in the canoe, sitting on a wooden stool.

But fortunately creative solutions appear almost as often as the obstacles:

“I was facing my personal difficulties of being able to sit on a wooden stool and canoe at the same time. It was extremely hard work given that I have muscles imbalance on the left side of my body. But then we secured a folding beach chair to the wooden stool and ensured that I was sitting safely and secured. Immediately I began to realise this was a winning solution,” tells Julie, who in the future wants to get more into making the Scottish outdoors more accessible for other people with disabilities.

Giving back

Back to the camping trip by Loch Lomond: This is one of Julie McElroy’s ways of giving back, sharing her passion with other disabled Scots.

The idea of The Ben Lomond Wilderness Project came about soon after Julie had completed her Conserver John Muir Award, which is an environmental award scheme focused on wild places. It encourages awareness and responsibility for the natural environment in a fun, adventurous and exploring spirit, engaging young Scots to be gentle with the nature while enjoying it.

Julie wanted to give the same opportunity to young, disabled people, and this year’s challenge is the third time, she brings a group of disabled people together with the help of National Trust for Scotland.

This time, though, there is camping involved, and the participants will at the end of the five day trip gain their John Muir Discovery Level Award, which is the first level of the awards.

She hopes that the group will get some of the same things that she does, out of the outdoor experience:

“I have challenged my disabilities and basked the barriers. This has made me physically and mentally stronger and will help me to overcome more barriers, which I will undoubtedly face,” she concludes.

We ask you: Where is your favourite outdoor place in Scotland? And have you got any tips on how to make the Scottish Nature more accessible for disabled people?