A CUMNOCK couple are about to coax a 62-year-old Land Rover on a challenging charity drive up the west coast of Scotland.

Owner of Gibsons Auto Services in Ayr Road, Allan Gibson and his wife Susan are setting off from the Mull of Galloway on Monday, May 9, heading for their final destination of John O’Groats.

They bought the 1954 series 1 vehicle last year, after it had lain in a field for around five years and they contacted the owner who agreed to sell the Land Rover which has had several owners.

Its current owners, who have called the vehicle Mysty, will be raising money for Alzheimer Scotland by completing the journey of around 750 miles with no support transport behind them.

As much as the drive will be a challenge, Mr Gibson has already encountered a huge task in getting Mysty ready for the road.

He said: “Once I got it back to the garage I hooked up a clean fuel supply and, after a bit of cajoling, she started up and began to run very smoothly.

“There has been a lot of preparation put into the trip — predominantly on Mysty herself to get her in the best possible condition before setting off.

“She is now running on parabolic springs, which is good news for our backs. But there is no AA van or support vehicle to jump into should things get tougher than expected”.

At an open day in the garage, friends and supporters of the couple’s fundraising adventure, including Provost Jim Todd, had a good look at Mysty and wish all three good luck.

From Scotland’s most southern point, the Rhins of Galloway peninsula, they will drive north along the Ayrshire coast to Ardrossan where they will board the Arran ferry.

Making their way across the island to another ferry which will take them to the Mull Of Kintyre, they continue northbound onto Skye from another ferry, at Mallaig.

Ferry number four, a much older one, will take them back to the mainland at Glenelg before they make a final run near the end of the week to John O’ Groats.

Over the course of the trip, which is not a race against time, they will encounter some of Scotland’s most difficult roads including the infamous Bealach Na Bha over to Applecross.

Visit www.justgiving.com/TheWestWayUp for more details and to make a donation to their appeal for Alzheimer Scotland.

Mrs Gibson said: “By donating and supporting this challenge you will be helping a very deserving charity fund research and help families deal with Alzheimers.”