A Sutherland great-grandmother who scaled the equivalent of Suilven on her stairs for charity has been named Highland Community Champion of the Year at a national awards ceremony.
Judges in the Helping It Happen Awards said Margaret Payne, 90, was an inspiration and didn’t let anything get in her way of raising money for local and national causes.
Mrs Payne completed the challenge during lockdown at her home at Ardvar, climbing 282 times over 73 days, and raising £434,562 for the NHS, Highland Hospice and RNLI.
The awards, which recognise the role of estates, farms and individuals helping rural Scotland thrive, are organised by Scottish Land and Estates, and sponsored by GLM.
Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land and Estates, said: “I want to offer my congratulations to Margaret. What an inspiration.
“She has raised a fantastic amount for the NHS and two charities close to her heart across the Highlands.”
Fergus Ewing, cabinet secretary for rural economy, added: “Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, vital work has been undertaken across rural Scotland to adapt and help sustain our rural economy and our communities and this effort cannot be underestimated.”
Dunecht Estates volunteers were named North East Community Champion for their “effective community engagement and helping local people”, while Duffus Estate in Moray won the education award for an outdoor learning project.