A tragic avalanche has inspired a Highland student to take a gruelling athletic challenge.
Sam Black, a student from the Scottish Association for Marine Science (Sams UHI) will take on a gruelling Ironman triathlon in June.
The 22-year-old is one of the youngest competitors in Celtman, which on involves a swim on Loch Shieldaig, a bike ride and a marathon-length run including the ascent of two Munros.
Mr Black, who hopes to raise thousands of pounds for Breast Cancer Now, first became aware of the challenge in his first year at Sams UHI after PhD student Chris Bell completed the challenge.
Mr Bell died, aged 24, in an avalanche while climbing with three others in Glencoe seven months later.
“When I first arrived at Sams UHI I was putting the feelers out to see how I could get involved in outdoor sports and everyone mentioned how Chris had just completed the Celtman,” Mr Black said.
“It was the first thing I knew about him, so I looked into what was involved. I was amazed at how tough it looked but I knew that I would do it one day.
“Being at Sams UHI with other students who have a love for the outdoors has been significant in helping me believe I can do something like Celtman. I think people looked up to Chris and he helped to inspire a lot of people here.
“As well as the personal challenge of completing the event I hope to raise money for a cancer charity that really helped my family when a close relative had breast cancer.”
Over the past three years Sam has built his fitness and taken part in triathlons in preparation for the energy-sapping event and has been working on the elite athlete programme at Oban’s Atlantis Leisure.
To help with his training, Oban’s Atlantis Leisure has included Sam on its Elite Athlete Programme, giving him free use of facilities.
Dr Neil Clark, a former Sams UHI student and friend of Chris Bell said: “Training for the Celtman takes unbelievable dedication and mental strength. Chris would have respected Sam so much for taking part – and relished the friendly competition.
“Sam’s Celtman isn’t the first athletic feat that Chris inspired, nor will it be the last. He encouraged everyone to just get out there and make the most of this beautiful place we live in.
“Even now, many of us still cycle with an orange ribbon – his favourite colour – tied to our bikes.”