A SALON owner who abseiled off one of Scotland’s most recognisable bridges has claimed climbing the stairs to the drop zone was the hardest part!

Catherine Alexander was one of more than 300 people taking the plunge from the Forth Bridge recently.

The event, which was organised by the South Queensferry Rotary Club, raised thousands of pounds for a variety of good causes.

Catherine, 46, told the Courier: “I would definitely do it again.

“The hardest part was the steps up to it.

“They did not tell me you had to go up 121 steps and then a small break and then you had to go up the maintenance ladder to the bridge.

“I said to them I was definitely coming down the rope – I was not coming down the stairs again!”

The Chalybeate resident was among those taking the 165-foot drop at the bridge, with her fundraising going to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Catherine, who has owned Haddington’s Short Cuts Hairdressing, off the town’s Market Street, for 18 years, had a personal reason for raising funds for the good cause, which provides physical, emotional and financial support to help people with cancer.

It aims to offer support from the moment a person is diagnosed through their treatment and beyond.

The salon owner’s dad, Jim, was diagnosed with lung cancer, with Macmillan providing support.

That led to the salon holding an annual coffee morning, which has attracted thousands of pounds, while Catherine has also braved the chilly waters off East Lothian with a Loony Dook and shaved her head.

Catherine, who raised more than £1,000 through the abseil, which takes her fundraising total with the charity to nearly £20,000, said: “I just really wanted to do it.

“Everyone keeps asking me what I am going to do next and I am still up for wing walking.

“I am always touched by other people’s stories and when I did this I was overwhelmed by the generosity of customers and the encouragement in the shop.”

To sponsor Catherine, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/catherine-alexander4