JOHN MEIKLE, of Hoprig Mains, East Lothian, took on the NC500 route in a tractor last month and in so doing raised a total of £4313.75 for RSABI’s ‘Help us help them’ campaign.

Mr Meikle spent three days in June driving a brand new Massey Ferguson around the iconic route in the Highlands of Scotland, following the main roads around the coast through places including Ullapool, Durness, John O’ Groats and Durness. Kicking off the journey at Inverness Castle on June 13, John completed the 500 mile route in 22 hours, returning into the grounds of Inverness Castle at midday on June 15.

This solo-driving trek was undertaken by 62-year-old John in order to raise awareness of RSABI, the unique Scottish charity that supports people who have worked in agriculture, crofting and other land based industries and are now experiencing hardship.

M Meikle said: “Spending three days driving the NC500 route was a totally different tractor driving environment than the ones I’m used to! It was a wonderful experience, and I’m proud that I was able to raise over £4000 to support RSABI and all the brilliant work that they do across the country.”

RSABI development officer Dawn Edward added: “It’s been an absolute pleasure working with John along his journey, and we’re incredibly grateful for the donation he has made to RSABI. Usually people take on the NC500 route in a car or on a bike, but John could well be one of the first people to complete it in a tractor!”

She continued: “The RSABI ‘Help us help them’ campaign provides critical support to a lot of people who have worked within land based industries, and now require varying levels of support, and John’s journey has made a welcome contribution to the cause.”