What's the story?
The Legend of Hamish MacInnes.
Tell me more.
The Gatehouse of Fleet-born mountaineer climbed the Matterhorn at 16. A year later, he built his first car from scratch. MacInnes, aged 22, attempted Everest in 1953 and almost stole the peak, before Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay claimed it.
As inventor of the all-metal ice axe, author of the International Mountain Rescue Handbook and founder of Glencoe Mountain Rescue, he has been responsible for saving countless lives.
READ MORE: Screen Shot: Perennial TV favourite Beechgrove returns for a new series
He is quite the man.
Indeed. But then, aged 84, MacInnes was institutionalised against his will, suffering from delirium. After a spell in psychiatric hospital, during which he made several escape attempts, he emerged to find his memory gone.
Then what?
This powerful documentary, directed by Robbie Fraser, charts a remarkable life and MacInnes’ greatest challenge: to recover his memories and rescue himself.
MacInnes looked at photographs spanning 60 years, read copious books penned by his own hand, and watched the many films he made or worked on as a stunt co-ordinator, such as The Eiger Sanction, Highlander, The Mission and Five Days One Summer.
READ MORE: Screen Shot: Perennial TV favourite Beechgrove returns for a new series
I have something in my eye.
Me too.
When can I watch?
Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes, BBC Scotland, Tuesday, 10pm.
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