VIDEO: Mark Beaumont sets off on North Coast 500

Record-breaking cyclist Mark Beaumont has set off on his newest challenge.

Beaumont, from Glenalmond, plans to cycle a 500-mile Scottish circular route in just 48 hours without breaks or pit-stops.

The North Coast 500 was recently dubbed Scotland’s answer to Route 66 after it was named in the world’s top-six coastal road trips.

The route runs in a loop from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, along the north coast to John o’ Groats before heading back down the east coast.

At a leisurely pace it would take about five days.