Buckie couple thrilled to take on tough cross-country challenge

A MORAY COUPLE have been included in an annual outdoors challenge to walk across Scotland for their chosen charities.

Only 300 people each year are accepted for the Great Outdoors Challenge – leaving many more disappointed.

The challenge began in 1980 and invites people to backpack their way from Scotland’s west coast to the east coast – each having to follow their own carefully crafted route. Being accepted for the challenge is an achievement in itself – and one that Lynn Kinrade and partner Gavin Scott from Buckie are keenly anticipating.

Lynn, who works at Dr Gray’s Hospital in the Audiology Department, and Gavin, a driver for a local haulage company, are taking on the challenge in May on behalf of the Search and Rescue Dog Association (SARDA).

Gavin explained: “That was Lynn’s idea – it seemed that mountain rescue fundraising events often seem to take a higher profile, but SARDA Scotland does not seem to share that limelight.

“SARDA volunteers are on standby 24-hours a day, 365 days a year – they are ready to assist police and mountain rescue when people go missing in the hill, but also when vulnerable individuals go missing from our communities.

“It is a worthy cause that we really felt needed both highlighting and fundraising for, so we hope our efforts can contribute as much as possible.”

Both Lynn and Gavin are well prepared for the coast to coast challenge – they are keen hillwalkers and have no problem with taking on such a mammoth task.

Lynn said: “There is a choice of ten starting points on the West Coast and you can finish anywhere on the east between Fraserburgh and Abroath.  Our walk starts from Shiel Bridge and we will walk through Glens and over passes to finish at Montrose almost two weeks later.

“We will be self-sufficient, carrying all our camping gear and provisions, stopping at villages we pass through to restock on food every few days.”

The couple have set up a fundraising page ahead of the event on Just Giving.