David Austin, a 29 year old from Derby, was found dead after aspiring to live like Bear Grylls in Scottish wilderness for a year after less than a month. He was found dead in a “bothy” by a track workter near Corrour on December 31st at 9:50AM. Forensics state that his body had been lying there for several weeks before it had been discovered and there were no suspicious circumstances behind his death, which is believed to have been a result of hypothermia. 

Mr Austin had taken several courses in outdoor survival and bushcraft skills over the past couples of years in order to be well prepared for his departure in November. He went as far as to not bring a mobil phone with him, leaving him at the mercy of the harsh winter. Personal possessions including a knife and a daily journal were found next to his body. 

It seems a reckless and foolish thing to attempt, and one must wonder why his friends and family let him attempt it. He even spent his 29th birthday on December 3rd outdoors in one of the first snowfalls of the year. 

Ian Moran, a survival school instructor, states that “it would be a tall order for even the most professional person who calls himself a survivalist. Maybe centuries ago, when Scotland was covered in woodland and teeming with wildlife, but not now.” He said with key core skills, such as rabbit skinning, natural navigation and making rope from nettles, someone should be able to survive 72 hours before needing to be rescued, depending on weather conditions. 

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