After years of charity challenges, a Perthshire adventurer has finally hung up his trusty kilt.
Fortunately, with less than three weeks to go until he sets off on his latest trek, Jock McInnes has been furnished with a new length of plaid.
The Kilt Company in Perth has donated two lightweight kilts to the 55-year-old former Black Watch soldier and fellow fundraiser Steve McPhillips.
As the pair will be facing temperatures of up to 30 degrees during their 10-day trek across the Sahara, traditional tartan outfits are just too heavy.
The manager of the Kinnoull Street shop, Michelle Murphy, stepped in to lend a hand.
“I’ve known Jock for a long time so when he said he was doing this, I found him a couple of lightweight kilts,” she said.
“The tartan is called Heritage of Scotland, which I think suits him down to the ground.”
She also revealed that the Davie Cooper Centre, a facility for young adults with learning difficulties that will benefit from the Saharan adventure, is close to the hearts of the owners of the Kilt Company, Charlie and Beverly Brine.
Michelle added: “They actually bought Davie Cooper’s original football shirt in a charity auction about 20 years ago.
“Mr Brine also used to play for Dunfermline (which has a stand named after the player) in his youth and is now a football agent.”
Jock praised their generosity, saying the firm “couldn’t do enough” for his charity efforts also donating two sporrans to ensure he and Steve take a piece of Scotland with them to Morocco.
He also welcomed support from a number of other local businesses, who have helped him get close to his £5,000 target.
“Despite the fact we’re still in recession, they are still coming forward with sponsorship,” he said.
“We have also been given the services of Scone Taxi Company for getting to the airport on March 1. Neil MacDonald has promised to get us there in plenty time for our flight, even if it means an early start.
“It’s been really good of these local companies to support us and we’re very grateful for it.”
Although they have the kit, the pair have been struggling to ensure they have the training in place.
The wintry weather has put a dampener on their regime but the hardy friends have still managed to scale the various hills around Perthshire.
One thing that has been missing, however, is the sand and the heat.
Jock continued: “It’s been difficult to train because of the weather but we’ve had to go out and do it because if we’re not prepared, it could be disastrous.”
Although he is taking part in a kilted adventure for the first time, Steve is undaunted by the conditions they could face as they walk 100km across an arid landscape.
As part of his role as an engineer for a solar wind turbine firm, he regularly travels to sunnier climes and is ready for whatever the Sahara can throw at him.
He told The Courier: “This is something I’ve been wanting to do for a while but because I work away a lot, it can be difficult for me to get free time.
“I’m feeling half-apprehensive and half-excited but it’s good to be giving something back.
“I’ve helped Jock before with his abseiling challenges and I’d like to keep doing things with him as long as I can.”
To sponsor the intrepid pair go online to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/jmcinnes or email Jock on abseil@hotmail.co.uk.