2026 Speakers
The 2026 Dundee Mountain Film Festival programme features five incredible speakers, whose tales of adventure will lift you off the edge of your seat…
Tim Emmett
Squamish, BC–based climber and long‑time Mountain Hardwear athlete, Tim is a climbing all-rounder! He is a pioneer of deep water soloing and has made first ascents across rock, ice, and mixed terrain in 16 countries. Since 2010, he’s pushed the limits of ice climbing at Helmcken Falls, establishing Mission to Mars, the world’s first WI13, and continues to redefine longevity by climbing his first F9a/5.14d at age 51. Tim is also a freediver and former Wingsuit BASE jumper.
Evening Speaker slot, Friday, November 20, at Abertay University
Gary Robertson
Self-styled Dundee Street Poet, Gary, is also a playwright, musician, author and outdoor enthusiast. He has scaled all 282 of Scotland’s Munros and was the eventual winner of the first ever series of SAS: Are You Tough Enough? At DMFF 2026 Gary wears a coat of many outdoor colours, so be prepared for anything from mountain-inspired music and theatre to poetry and prose at his talk!
Morning Speaker slot, Saturday, November 21, at Abertay University
Scotland the Wave
Fiona Deacon and Nicky Matthews are part of the intrepid crew of female rowers, Scotland the Wave. In December 2025 set off from the Canary Islands to cross the Atlantic. They completed the mammoth 3,000 miles (4,828km) and landed in Antigua in the Caribbean after 47 days at sea. Fiona and Nicky will share their incredible experience which raised funds for the RNLI and Breast Cancer UK.
Afternoon Speaker slot, Saturday, November 21, at Abertay University
Dave Macleod
Scottish climbing legend Dave has made ground-breaking achievements in trad, sport, bouldering, winter climbing, and free soloing. His career includes the first ascent of the iconic E11 7a Rhapsody, Dumbarton Rock, establishing a route on the legendary Echo Wall on Ben Nevis, plus the rare feat of free soloing an 8b+ route in Catalonia (graded 8C at the time). He has climbed sport routes up to 9a, bouldered up to 8C, established winter climbs to Grade XI, and is an internationally respected author, coach, and educator.
Evening Speaker slot, Saturday, November 21, at Abertay University
The full programme will be available here shortly.
Tickets coming soon!