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Kilted Musher Wattie brings magic of Alaska to Stonehaven

Wattie McDonald is known at the 'Kilted Musher'.
Wattie McDonald is known at the 'Kilted Musher'.

A Mearns musher hopes to bring the magic of Alaska to the North-east by opening the area’s first husky racing visitor centre.

Wattie McDonald said the opening of Husky Haven was bittersweet as it was the dream of his late wife.

The 52-year-old – who has been dubbed The Kilted Musher – has been travelling to Alaska regularly since 2008 and has taken part in – and completed – the gruelling Iditarod race there twice.

The race covers 1,049 miles of frozen terrain in temperatures of around -55C and takes around two weeks to complete.

He has now opened a visitor centre and museum in Stonehaven that will house items and equipment from his Alaskan racing trips.

Visitors will be offered the chance to enjoy a sled ride with up to six of his Siberian huskies throughout the year.

The deck foreman with Subsea 7 has created an authentic Alaskan feel at the centre.

The wooden centre is complete with a wood burning stove and memorabilia

His wife Wendy was diagnosed with cancer but lost her fight with the disease.

The couple travelled to Alaska to race their dogs and following her death he debated leaving his mushing life behind.

But Wattie was spurred on to fulfil it by new wife Jackie, who he married earlier this year, and dog handlers Lesley Watson and Jane Leiper, who help him at the centre.

The dad-of-three added: “I am slightly nervous about it opening and have butterflies.

“I think it is a bittersweet feeling as I am sad that Wendy is not here.

“But I am excited that it has got this far.

“The dogs are my life.”