The 200 miles or more of crossing Scotland coast to coast lies in wait for a host of outdoors enthusiasts this month among them an Angus woman driven by a personal fund-raising mission.
From next Friday, participants in the 31st TGO Challenge will leave the west coast at points between Ardrishaig and Torridon with the aim of covering the country and reporting to the event’s traditional Montrose gathering point within a fortnight.
The challenge has grown to become a major date on Scotland’s early summer calendar, and Letham couple Marion and Graeme Dunsire will be enjoying it for the fourth time.
However, this year merchandiser Marion has also decided to use the event to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support after losing her mother Ethel Milne to the disease 12 years ago.
Each year the Dunsires follow a different route, but for them the RAB and Mountain Kingdoms-sponsored challenge starts with the same tradition of selecting a small pebble on a west coast beach which they will carry across the nation.
The couple have planned food drops at strategic points to keep the weight of their backpacks downand Marion hopes the encouragement of sponsors will spur her on.
Well-known throughout Angus for her work, she has also enjoyed support in Letham from sponsor forms and has raised around £500.
The couple’s route this year will see them walk part of the Crinan Canal to their official Ardrishaig start point before crossing Loch Fyne to Otter Ferry for three days of walking scheduled to take them to Ardlui on Loch Lomond.
Crianlarich, Glen Lochy, Glen Lyon, Blair Atholl, Glen Tilt, Ballater, Aboyne and Clachnaben are all points on their planned route, which will see them cover up to 20 miles a day.
Their planned destination is Dunnottar Castle just south of Stonehaven, ahead of joining up with other challenge participants who are a familiar sight on Angus roads each May.