2023-05-01T13:43:11+00:00

Brothers raise monster amount in Highlands cycle race

Two brothers are recovering after their challenging Highlands cycle race raised nearly £2,000 in memory of their mum.

Neil and Andy Clarke took on the Etape Loch Ness on 23 April, which is a 66-mile (106km) route around the loch starting and finishing in the Highland capital of Inverness.

They took on the challenge to raise money for Friends of Roxburghe House Grampian, in memory of their mum Marjory and the care she received at Roxburghe House. And their efforts raised the amazing sum of £1,929 with Gift Aid.

Neil said: “Roxburghe House was amazing, not only in giving mum the very best of care and medical attention but in supporting us as a family in her last few weeks against cancer.

“We want to give back something to the hospice for all their kindness and care, and we’d also like to thank the 67 supporters who donated to help us reach our total.

“The race itself was a great experience and we both absolutely loved it.

“The King of the Mountain stage was a challenging climb, leaving Fort Augustus and climbing for 4.8 miles in the typical Scottish weather to the top of the stage. But the sound of the bagpipes from the lone piper at the top was a welcome sight.

“When we heard the bagpipes being played from the loch, we did wonder if it was the Loch Ness Monster playing them as encouragement but even Nessie would have found the weather challenging and decided to stay low.

“We were hoping to take in the sights of Loch Ness but with the weather on the day you could not see the loch in its prime and appreciate how beautiful the scenery normally is.

“But did not stop us having a great day – despite the 6am start!”

The brothers finished the race together in an impressive five and a half hours among a field of more than 6,000 cyclists. With 900m of ascent, the route leaves Inverness and follows the A82 west to Fort Augustus, passing through the villages of Drumnadrochit and Invermoriston, arriving in Fort Augustus where it crosses the historic Caledonian Canal. The route then starts its return journey to Inverness via South Loch Ness on the B862/B852.

They were greeted at the finishing line by their dad Michael and sister Sharon, as well as Neil’s wife Suzette and Andy’s wife Narelle.

The brothers are originally from Aberdeen, although 48-year-old Neil now works in Glenfarg, Perthshire, as chef-owner of catering company Loch, Stock & Barrow. Andy, 53, lives in Kintore and works as an instrument engineer.

- If you’d like to add to the brothers’ total, their JustGiving page is here.

- Or if you’re feeling inspired yourself, you can find out how to support Friends with your own fundraising here.

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