Haggis with altitude as Scots climber sets Burns Supper record

Published on 26/01/2006 00:07

A MOUNTAINEER claimed the record for the world's highest Burns Supper yesterday after joining in the celebrations from a mountain top in Argentina.

Climber Chris Dunlop called in to a special event that was taking place at the Scottish Parliament. He phoned the Burns Breakfast, hosted by Ayrshire MSP Margaret Jamieson, from 23,000ft Mount Aconcagua - the highest peak in the world outside the Himalayas.

Mr Dunlop, 35, from Glasgow, set out to make the ascent in time for Burns Day and took a tin of haggis, neeps and tatties.

It took several attempts to make contact but the charity worker then spoke to MSPs and guests - including his mother Rosetta Preston - at Holyrood's first Burns Breakfast.

He said: "Hello Edinburgh, this is Argentina calling. It's very cold and it's about half past six in the morning."

Mr Dunlop, who is now on his way down, sang Auld Lang Syne over the phone.