MORE than 20 teams of four, plus their staunch support drivers and cheerers on, flocked to the Highlands last week to take part in the 63km RSABI Great Glen Challenge, sponsored by Ledingham Chalmers solicitors, which ran from Invermoriston to Neptune's Staircase at Fort William.

The event, which has thus far raised more than £36,000 for the charity, was enjoyed by 22 teams from the agricultural sector, including several from NFU Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ledingham Chalmers and, of course, our very own louts from The Scottish Farmer.

It was a tough course which featured four lengthy disciplines along the Great Glen trail - a 34km mountain bike ride, a 7km kayak paddle down Loch Oich followed by a time trial, a 10km walk with observation quiz and a gruelling 17km run.

Storming into the lead having picked up three second places for mountain biking, kayaking and walking along the way was the NFU Mutual Stirling team of Iain Logan, David Lyle, Laura Dolan and Katy Taylor.

David Lyle, kayaker in the winning team, said: "Having not done that much training, the victory was very unexpected but we are delighted to have won.

"This was a real team effort with everyone contributing, even our support driver cheering us on, and I'm very proud of the team. We shall be back next year to defend our title."

The winning team finished on a score of 30 points, a mere five ahead of the Lambing Live team of Ally McDonald who won the mountain bike section (despite the course being sabotaged by some disgruntled locals), Hamish Dykes who finished second on the run, Susie Dykes and Gillian Travers.

After a slight recalculation of the points, the CKF ladies team finished in third with Claire Acheson, Annie Lane, walk and observation winner Alison Dunlop and Liz Cunningham notching up 21 points to finish one ahead of kayak winner Niall Milner, Rhona Booth, David Paterson and Kathleen Kirkpatrick from Davidson and Robertson Rural.

The other individual winner was Bill Dickson from RBS 1 who recorded a very fast time on the tough running course.

Our own The Scottish Farmer team finished a very respectable ninth despite some late night drinking and shenanigans the night beforehand. This, perhaps, put biker and circulation and marketing manager David Boyle off course as he picked up 10 minute time penalty thanks to the aforementioned course sabotage to finish fourth individually although he did rack up the second best time before the penalty addition.

News editor, Gordon Davidson, worked his weary legs hard to finish sixth in the running section with Rob Haining and Alison Mann put on a good show in the walk and kayaking competitions, respectively.

RSABI's development manager Paul Tinson commented: "The RSABI Great Glen Challenge is going from strength to strength in terms of its fundraising; but also, it would seem, in the physical achievements of the teams - it was quite testing this year, taking place in wet and breezy conditions over a revised course. We are proud of all our competitors in the Glen!"

Anyone still wishing to donate to the charity can do so at www.virginmoneygiving.com/charities/RSABI.