Dave Thompson MSP

COMPETITORS who successfully follow in the footsteps of Bonnie Prince Charlie over the Corrieyairack Pass in the Monadhliath Mountains will be presented with their medals at the finish in Kincraig by local MSP Dave Thompson on Saturday afternoon.

Dozens of competitors will run, walk and cycle across the Corrieyairack Pass through the Monadhliath Mountains from Fort Augustus on the Caledonian Canal to Kincraig in Badenoch. Each year the Corrieyairack Challenge is organised by the Speyside Trust and during the 18 previous events competitors have raised more than three-quarters of a million pounds in sponsorship for the Trust's centre for holidays for children and adults with learning difficulties and other special needs at Badaguish, near Kincraig.

As the local member of the Scottish Parliament, Mr Thompson was delighted to be asked to play a role in the presentation of medals and prizes at the end of the event.

"In March I was pleased to be able to welcome the announcement by Richard Lochhead of almost half a million pounds in Scottish Government funding to allow the Trust to repair and protect this historic route and ensure it can continue to be used for this increasingly important endurance event," said the MSP.

"This event is run over part of the longest remaining section of Wade Military Road in Scotland and this Scottish Government funding is playing a vital role in ensuring it survives for future generations.

"The Speyside Trust does great work from its base at Badaguish and funding raised through the Corrieyairack Challenge plays a major part in that."

Kincraig will host a village fete on Saturday and awards and prizes will be presented from 5pm in a marquee in the village. This will be followed by a ceilidh for competitors, locals and visitors in the marquee from 9pm until 1am.