Luke Robertson

Luke Robertson is a British and Scottish explorer, adventurer, endurance athlete and motivational speaker.

He is an Explorer-in-Residence for the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, an Arctic Guide for The Polar Academy and a professional motivational speaker, represented by Speaker Buzz.[1]

In January 2016, aged 30, he became the youngest Brit, the first Scot - and the first person in history with an artificial pacemaker - to ski solo, unsupported and unassisted to the South Pole in Antarctica.[2] The trip began at Hercules Inlet[3] (78.5°S) on the Ronne Ice Shelf and ended at the Geographic South Pole (90°S). The trip covered a distance of 730 miles (1175 km) over 40 days.[4]

Early life

Robertson was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, and attended Netherley Primary School in Aberdeenshire,[5] and grew up on a farm in Blairs, Maryculter. He also attended primary school in Montreuil Bellay, in the Vallee de La Loire, France, and Luss Primary School, Loch Lomond. Luke was then educated at Mackie Academy Secondary School in Stonehaven.[5]

He has an MA Hons Joint Honours degree in History & French from the University of Glasgow and has an MSc in Investment and Finance from the University of Strathclyde Business School.[6]

Solo South Pole expedition

In January 2016, he became the youngest Brit and the first Scot to ski solo, unsupported and unassisted to the South Pole in Antarctica. He set off from Hercules Inlet on the edge of Antarctica on 5 December 2015 and arrived at the Geographic South Pole on 13 January 2016, completing expedition 'Due South 2015'.[7]

Upon arrival Luke was quoted as saying that he "What an unbelievable and surreal feeling. I feel on top of the bottom of the world."[8] Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who was patron of the trip congratulated Luke on his efforts.[9] Sir Ranulph said: "I am delighted that Luke has reached the South Pole and becomes the youngest Brit ever to do so, unaided. "It is an incredible achievement and I hope that his adventure inspires others to achieve their own goals in life and to raise funds for Marie Curie - a charity also close to my heart."[10]

This achievement was raised as a motion at the Scottish Parliament, in February 2016.[11]

Medical challenges

In May 2008, Robertson was fitted with an artificial pacemaker to treat 'complete heart block' and then in January 2010, he underwent a second operation to insert the pacemaker deeper. In February 2014, he underwent brain surgery when diagnosed with a brain tumour. Following surgery, it was revealed to be a large and extremely rare (benign) enterogenous cyst.[12]

Other adventures

He has been on winter expeditions to central Norway, Eastern Greenland, Sapmi and Alaska. In 2016 he successfully completed the inaugural Cape Wrath Ultra marathon. The race from Fort William to Cape Wrath took place over 8 days and covered a distance of 250 miles (400 km+). The winner of the ladies race, Emanuela Marzotto, from Italy said: "This race is the hardest thing I’ve done, harder than the 10 day race in Australia or the Marathon Des Sables.[13] ". Among other events, he has also competed in the Lake District Ten Peaks Ultra, the Big Ben Nevis Triathlon in Fort William and the Wimbleball 70.3 Iron Man.

Personal life

Alongside his wife and fellow adventurer and endurance athlete, Hazel Robertson (née Clyne),[14] he has thus far raised over £70,000 for Marie Curie through funds raised by this expedition and other endeavours.[15] They live together in Edinburgh.[16] He helps front the 'Greener Scotland' Campaign.[17]

He is an ambassador for the Polar Academy[18] and for Marie Curie.[2]

References
  1. "British explorer Luke Robertson completes historic South Pole trek". Archived from the original on 15 January 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  2. "Luke Robertson breaks records by reaching the South Pole". Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  3. "Domestic Names". Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  4. "An adventurer has spent Christmas Day alone in the Antarctic". Independent.co.uk. 25 December 2015. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  5. "Luke Robertson heading home to tell of his South Pole adventure". Archived from the original on 13 October 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  6. "University of Glasgow - About us - Avenue magazine - Issue 60 June 2016 - Alumni news - World-changing adventurers". www.gla.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 3 October 2016.
  7. "Due SOUTH". duesouth2015.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  8. "'I feel on top of the bottom of the world!' Mearns adventurer completes solo trek to South Pole". 14 January 2016. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  9. "Hero Brit who has battled brain op becomes youngest to trek solo to South Pole". Daily Mirror. 14 January 2016. Archived from the original on 27 June 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  10. "Luke Robertson becomes first solo Scot to reach South Pole". Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  11. "Luke Robertson, First Solo, Unassisted and Unsupported Scot to South Pole". Scottish Parliament. 14 January 2016. Motion ref. S4M-15339. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  12. "Brain surgery inspires Luke Robertson's South Pole bid". BBC News. 23 July 2015. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  13. "Inaugural Cape Wrath Ultra Results & Quotes". Cape Wrath Ultra. 2 June 2016. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  14. "Adventurers Assemble". Cape Wrath Ultra. 26 May 2016. Archived from the original on 3 October 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  15. "Hazel and Luke's adventures". Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  16. "Scots explorer Luke Robertson achieves South Pole first". BBC News. 14 January 2016. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  17. "Greener Together Blog | Greener Scotland". www.greenerscotland.org. Archived from the original on 16 May 2014.
  18. "The Polar Academy". thepolaracademy.org. Archived from the original on 4 October 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
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