HUNDREDS OF brave participants will follow in the footsteps of a Scottish outlaw and folk hero this summer by taking part in the annual Martin Currie Rob Roy Challenge.
It is the eighth year of the trek through Perthshire and is becoming one of Scotland’s most successful charity fundraising events.
Already, £2.3 million has been raised for good causes and the target is to break through the £2.5m barrier.
Perthshire adventurer, broadcaster and world record-breaking cyclist Mark Beaumont is leading the way.
He said: “I absolutely loved my first Rob Roy Challenge, even if I was dressed in a rather uncomfortable Spiderman outfit throughout.
“(It) showed me an amazing route through Perthshire which I had never seen, despite the fact that I live there, and despite being a tough challenge, it is very achievable for a wide range of people.
“Plus, it is all in the name of three outstanding charities.
“I really encourage people to take on this challenge.
“Make it your New Year’s resolution and, in doing so, help us to smash the £2.5m fundraising target.”
Rob Roy MacGregor was an 18th century cattleman, rustler and outlaw who has become a figure synonymous with the history of the Scottish Highlands, thanks to numerous stories, books and films about his reputed exploits.
The challenge bearing his name covers 55 miles of the spectacular Rob Roy Way, through the Trossachs to the banks of Loch Tay.
Teams and participants first walk or run 16 miles from Drymen, near Loch Lomond, to Callander, where they then saddle up for a gruelling 39-mile cycle to the finish line at Kenmore.
Festivities and fireworks are promised at the end.
Each year, the Martin Currie Charitable Foundation chooses three main charity partners who will benefit from the money raised from the event.
The three charities benefiting from the 2013 Rob Roy Challenge are WaterAid, Over the Wall and Alzheimer Scotland.
The Rob Roy Challenge takes place on June 22 and an early bird registration offer is now available until the end of January.
More details of the challenge and registration for the event are available on robroychallenge.com.
arichardson@thecourier.co.uk