A couple are visiting every lifeboat station in Scotland – past and present – to honour the generations of life-savers who have worked from them.
Belinda and James Richardson, from London, will visit all 77 sites in 19 days – in a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet which has been painted orange to match the lifeboats.
Last year they visited every lifeboat station in the UK as part of their campaign to raise £50,000 to purchase a D Class lifeboat for the RNLI.
The boats are small models which can reach inaccessible waters which larger vessels can’t.
To continue their fundraising feat, the pair will drive to all of the past and present lifeboat stations in Scotland – beginning at Lerwick on Friday, August 23.
They will then progress anti-clockwise around the coast and finish the challenge at Kirkwall on Wednesday, September 11.
The entire 2,800-mile journey will take in former station sites in places like Johnshaven, Gourdon, Banff and Cromarty.
There will be an especially significant stop at Newburgh, which became home to the nation’s first lifeboat station in 1828.
Mr Richardson, 67, said: “We can’t wait to get started.
“We’ve always had an active interest in the RNLI, they do fantastic work.
“Some of the past lifeboat stations have all sorts of uses now.
“Some have been converted into restaurants, one is on a golf course and some are just rubble. But we will see them all.”
The couple plan to have a yearly fundraiser until 2024, when the RNLI will celebrate its bicentenary.
Mrs Richardson added: “To visit the old stations across Scotland is important, this challenge is about honouring past crews as well as current ones.
“While not operational, we still hope to mark our respects there.
“Last year’s challenge was a bit of a whistle-stop tour, but well now have the chance to properly appreciate Scotland.
“Taking ferries is also always a special experience, as you get to see how connected transport staff, island communities and the RNLI are.
“Shetland, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides are all places we can’t wait to go back to.
“We want to shine a torch on the nooks and crannies of Scotland, and the idiosyncratic beauty of the country.”
To see the full RNLI 911 itinerary, donate to the fundraiser or to sponsor a lifeboat station visit, people can visit www.rnli-911challenge.co.uk