The West Highland Way: Carry The Load Challenge Officially Begins

Scotty Darroch, a former Invictus Games competitor and a member of the We Are Invictus Community, has set off today to complete an enormous challenge: walk the 96 miles of the world-famous West Highland Way in Scotland in just 7 days, with a washing machine strapped to his back.

Scotty is taking on this challenge to continue his recovery through sport and adventurous challenge and to raise funds for the Invictus Games Foundation, an organisation that he wishes to give back to after the help he received competing at the Invictus Games and beyond.

The challenge began this morning at Milngavie town centre before Scotty hiked through the Mugdock Country Park and finishing at the village of Drymen.

Scotty called the day a nice "warm-up" and he is eager to start on the second day of his challenge as the terrain becomes more precarious underfoot and hills come in to play.

"A good day in the bag, the feet and legs are good so it’s head down and keep ticking the miles off, Scotty said.

He will be walking an average of 12 miles a day with a washing machine strapped to his back on a device that has been custom made to support the households devices weight.

The reasoning behind this peculiar challenge is the symbolism of 'carrying the load', how service members shoulder emotional loads of one description or another and the carriage of an everyday item such as a washing machine across arduous terrain symbolises this unseen normality for those affected by trauma.

Scotty was recently congratulated by John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland for undertaking this challenge - "I would like to express my heartfelt support for your inspiring commitment to undertake such a challenge to raise funds for The Invictus Games Foundation," said Mr Swinney.

"Your challenge not only highlights the physical and mental resilience of our Armed Forces but will also provide opportunities for service personnel and veterans' post traumatic growth," Mr Swinney said.

During this challenge Scotty will be supported by Level Peaks, a veteran founded, owned and managed business that specialises in providing apparel and tactical equipment.

You can donate to Scotty's fundraising page here.