Luke Robertson: Adventurer spends Christmas Day alone in Antarctic as part of South Pole expedition

He is attempting to become the first Scot to undertake a solo, unassisted and unsupported expedition to the South Pole

Luke Robertson is spending 40 days alone dragging 130kg of equipment across 730 miles of ice (Luke Robertson)

Dreaming of a white Christmas?

With this December on track to be the UK’s mildest ever, you’d have been hard-pressed to find even a solitary snowflake in most parts today. But Luke Robertson was willing to go the extra mile for a glimpse of the white stuff - he spent Christmas Day alone in the Antarctic as part of his bid to become the first Scot to undertake a solo, unassisted and unsupported expedition to the South Pole.

That’s a remarkably active way to spend Christmas Day.

Mr Robertson, 30, from Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, hopes to become the youngest Briton to achieve the feat, in aid of the charity Marie Curie. The adventurer, who lives in Edinburgh, is spending 40 days alone dragging 130kg of equipment across 730 miles of ice, burning more than 10,000 calories per day while braving temperatures of -50C and 100mph winds.

How far had he travelled to date?

He has already traversed around 300 miles since setting off from Hercules Inlet on the edge of Antarctica on 5 December.

What inspired him to embark on such an ambitious challenge?

After overcoming a series of health problems, including surgery to remove a suspected brain tumour a year ago, which turned out to be a large and rare cyst, he was determined to thank the “amazing” medics who looked after him.

He’s showing his gratitude by travelling to the South Pole?

And he’s also raising cash in the process. Mr Robertson, who had a pacemaker fitted at the age of 23 after suffering a complete heart block, is donating all the money raised from his Due South 2015 expedition to Marie Curie, which provides care and support for people living with a terminal illness, and their families.

That’s really going above and beyond the call of duty.

The determined daredevil believes its the least he could do. "I've seen first-hand the strength of the human character and hope that through undertaking this extreme endurance expedition, I can inspire others and demonstrate the ability to overcome even the most testing situation,” Mr Robertson said. He added that the encouragement he received helped keep him “smiling”.

Mr Robertson's progress can be tracked and donations made at duesouth2015.com