Roxy Elgar

Background Info:

I started climbing when I was eight years old with my dad at the old wall in the Inverness Leisure centre. I am now 22 and I live in Glasgow. I train at EICA Ratho up to three times a week, which 8-year-old me could have only dreamed of considering that Ratho was over a 3-hour drive from where I grew up in rural Inverness-shire! 

Watermark Extension 8b:

In April 2025 I became the third female Scottish climber, after Natalie Berry in 2012 and Holly Rees in 2019, to send 8b on sport. The route I sent is called Watermark Extension 8b, and it’s in Wildside crag, Sella. Watermark Extension is 40+ metres in length, and I was on the wall for over forty minutes when I sent it! It was the first 8b route outside that I had tried. I sent the route on my first ever redpoint attempt after four previous sessions to work out the moves. Prior to sending Watermark Extension, I had sent six 8as outside, with my first being Ze Pequerto in Albania in April 2024.  I also did my first outdoor 8a+, Turkish Airways, in Geyikbayiri, in January 2025. I have climbed in the 8s extensively indoors at Ratho too, with my best sends being two 8bs. 

What I love about climbing:

Projecting is my favourite aspect of climbing. I love that a project really gets under my skin and consumes my mind until I’ve ticked it, only for the obsession to be replaced by another route. Climbing has also always been there for me through the best times and the most difficult times of my life. It is a best friend to me, an anchor in my life. It’s far more than just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle for me. 

With climbing I’ve had some of the most intense experiences of my life. Sharing these emotional experiences with friends at the crag and at Ratho has helped me to form some really close friendships. 

My favourite place to climb in Scotland:

My favourite place to climb in Scotland is Tunnel Wall. I spent a lot of time at Tunnel in Summer 2024. Perched on the side of a mountain, Tunnel Wall feels wild and epic. Tunnel challenged me to acclimatise to the style of climbing as every route is fierce in its own way, with some scary runouts, holds that feels as though they’re upside down, and highly technical climbing. One of my best days of climbing ever was one particular day at Tunnel when I redpointed Railway Children, then sent Fated Path second go with some wild, improvised beta that really shouldn’t have worked but did! It was also really special when I sent Axiom, as after weeks of working the route, my Dad drove two hours to belay me on the send!

Favourite places to climb abroad:

Anywhere in Spain, and Kalymnos of course. In the lead up to a trip abroad I’m known to carry the guidebook wherever I go!

What do I do away from climbing: 

I am studying English Literature at Glasgow Uni. I also run a bespoke cake business called Cakes By Rox. I relax by reading and watching climbing videos! 

Proudest Ascents:

Watermark Extension 8b, Wildside, Sella 

Turkish Airways 8a+, Anatolia, Geyikbayiri

Axiom 8a, Tunnel Wall, Glencoe

Watermark 8a, Wildside, Sella

Air Bahal 8a, Arena, Kalymnos

Ze Pequerto 8a, Bovilla, Tirana

Ching 8a, Upper Cave, Dunkeld

Tribeswoman 7c+, Tunnel Wall, Glencoe

Fated Path 7c+, Tunnel Wall, Glencoe