A trio of fundraising paramedics are celebrating after finishing a gruelling charity endurance course – months after the official event defied them.
The team completed a 33-mile walk from Cairngorm mountain to Cragganmore, followed by a 33-mile cycle to RAF Lossiemouth to raise money for the RAF benevolent fund.
The actual event took place on Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24, but Eric Grant and Darren Steatham fell ill and were forced to pull out.
Steve Taylor was left to take part alone, and despite getting as far as the Boat o’ Brig, he said he was disappointed to be taken off the course 16 miles prior to finishing due to time constraints.
Having raised £1,350 in sponsorship, the ambulance men were determined to finish the job.
They have now delivered on that pledge.
Mr Grant said: “Both Darren and myself started the walk at the Cairngorm Ski Centre car park, and we walked up to the Ptarmigan Restaurant, which was our start line.
“It was then downhill to Glenmore Lodge and on to Nethy Bridge where we joined the Speyside Way to Grantown, Cromdale, then over the hills to Cragganmore.
“There, we picked up our mountain bikes which were ready and waiting with our back-up vehicle and driver, Ian Grant, from Keith.”
The pair cycled off-road down the Speyside Way to Craigellachie.
As the sun set, Mr Grant and Mr Steatham ventured on to Arndilly and over Ben Aigan, which Mr Grant said was made “tricky” as they tried to negotiate forest tracks churned up by rally cars which had taken part in the Speyside Stages event.
He added: “We came out of Ben Aigan at the Boat o Brig and were met again where we changed from our mountain bikes on to our road bikes for the last 16 miles to the finish line at RAF Lossiemouth.
“Also there was Steve who wanted to complete the whole course and joined us.”