An Angus man who has limited hearing and 95% sight loss has completed an epic South American mountain trek.
John Whitfield, who lives with Usher syndrome and uses bilateral hearing aids, completed the gruelling four-day Inca Trail in Peru last week to raise awareness and funds for Deafblind Scotland.
The 55-year-old from Carnoustie, who is registered blind, described the trek as the hardest thing he has ever done and was forced on two occasions to navigate across sheer cliff edges in the dark.
Covering almost 30 miles over four days, John climbed with the aid of guides to over 13,000 feet where the air is thin and altitude sickness is common.
John said: “For most people this would have been hard, but as I am registered blind it was incredibly difficult. I relied on my head torch shining on the heels of my guide and my walking poles to feel my way forward.
“At times we were alongside cliff edges with sheer drops, and when I placed my pole forward and it only felt thin air, it was very scary.”
The trek visited several historical Inca sites including the renowned Machu Picchu.
John has raised over £5,000 for Deafblind Scotland, a charity of which he is both an employee and member.
To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/John-Whitfield.