DESPITE the privilege of having the best job in the world, there can be days you feel like you're climbing the walls.

And this was definitely one of them.

I may have mentioned previously my absolute terror of heights... so who better to go along and try out Glasgow's newest climbing walls?

Today a new Clip 'n Climb facility opens in Kelvin Hall - a first for the city - alongside a new soft play to cater to all ages and abilities.

Let me tell you now, the on-site coffee shop catered to my abilities.

I'm sure the soft play would have catered to my abilities if I had been allowed to use it.

But the climbing walls? Oh no.

I was paired up with staff member Karen Ritchie who, after I watched a brief safety video, helped me into the harness that would keep me safe during the climbing session.

Clip 'n Climb, an idea that started in New Zealand but has now gone global, features a variety of 13 metre high climbing walls with different themes.

Once you are comfortable with clipping and unclipping your harness onto the walls, visitors are free to move around the centre themselves.

Unfortunately for Karen, I very much needed my hand held so she was there to assist throughout my climbing... attempts, I think is maybe the kindness word.

I was started off on one of the easier walls, named Skyscraper, and it actually wasn't too bad.

Until I looked down and realised I'd only climbed about two metres off the ground.

While the climbing itself was ok, as long as I didn't look down, it quickly became apparent that I hadn't conquered my fears just yet.

Here's the problem: what goes up must come down.

While the rational part of my brain knows the harness is secure, I'm not really that high up and I'm perfectly safe, I can't seem to convince my irrational brain that I'm not going to die on the descent.

Louise, from Glasgow Life, is also trying out Clip 'n Climb and she challenges me to a race on the timed Speed Walls, which I, of course, lose.

Losing is the least of my worries, though. I've made it to the top and am delighted with my efforts.

I just can't get back down.

"Sit back and let yourself drop," comes the cry from the bottom of the climbing wall. Are they kidding?

"You can do it!" someone else shouts.

Nope. I am stuck fast at the top of a 13 metre climbing wall wondering if I can bribe the photographer not to take photos as the fire brigade are called to rescue me.

Is there Kelvin Hall cherry picker for use in emergencies?

And did I mention that Clip 'n Climb is suitable for ages four and upwards?

There's only one thing for it. I start to climb back down. There are calls from the bottom of the wall for me to stop.

While I'm absolutely embarrassed at being so scared, I am not letting go of this climbing wall until my feet are nearer the ground.

To my shame, the other people invited to try out the new facility are fine.

One of them is like a mountain goat, prancing up the Stairway to Heaven - a series of ever increasing poles that take you skyward before you jump off.

You know that feeling you get when your stomach flips while in an elevator?

As I watched someone else step off the top pillar of the Stairway to Heaven, my stomach flipped.

While I gave the first small section of Stairway to Heaven a try, I absolutely drew the line at the Leap of Faith, a platform that you climb up to and then jump off.

Not a chance.

But everyone else who did it looked like they were having a ball and I felt envious that I wasn't able to join in.

Opening the £1.9 million new soft play and Clip n' Climb centre on the first floor of the building marks the second phase of the redevelopment of Kelvin Hall with the first phase opening in November 2016 in partnership with Glasgow Life, Glasgow University and the National Library of Scotland.

There are five one-hour sessions - 20 people can sign up per session - available on weekdays between 4pm and 9pm, and seven at weekends from10am to 5pm.

The soft play, for those aged up to 12, has a Circus in the Park theme to tie in with Kelvin Hall’s roots as a circus venue and those aged under 12 months get in free.

Councillor David McDonald, Chairman of Glasgow Life, said: “This brand new offering adds to the already impressive list of fantastic, world-class venues we already have across the city, and gives Glaswegians yet another opportunity to get fit and have fun while trying something new – or building on existing skills.

“Climbing has proven health benefits, but is also ideal for promoting self-confidence, problem-solving, and perseverance in people of all ages – and soft play is beneficial for young children as it teaches the importance of co-operation, as well as balance and co-ordination.

“Between the soft play and Clip ‘n Climb, there really is something for all the family – for the big kids as well as the little ones.

"It’s exciting to have such a fantastic and modern resource in an iconic city location, and I can’t wait to see the people of Glasgow make this facility their own.”

As I stayed in the arena my competitiveness started to take over from my fear of heights and I found myself really enjoying the challenge of making it a little bit higher and higher each time.

"I'd like to come back one day and try the Leap of Death," I say to Louise.

"Leap of Faith, Cat," she immediately replies. "Leap of FAITH."

It might be a while before I pluck up the courage to go back - but I'm determined to take another shot.