An extraordinary 5,000-mile trek from Highland Scotland to the Sahara Desert is being planned by a Perthshire farm manager to raise funds for charity.

Farm manager at Atholl Estates, Hugh Chamberlain, is set to embark on the expedition this September.

The journey is in tribute to his late father-in-law, Tony Rawlings, who dreamt of exploring the world in his 1993 Land Rover Defender 300tdi.

Mr Rawlings planned and modified the Land Rover for this very trip while battling cancer, finding solace in the adventurous preparations.

Though he passed before he could witness the expedition, his legacy lives on through Mr Chamberlain's determination to fulfil his dream.

Mr Chamberlain, accompanied by friend Dave Hill, will navigate the route using just maps and intuition, testing their endurance and resilience to raise funds for two charities close to their hearts, Eden Valley Hospice in Carlisle and agricultural charity, RSABI.

He said: "In honour of Tony’s legacy, we are embarking on this expedition to prove that even amidst loss, dreams can endure, and compassion can ignite change.

"It is our hope that through this challenge, we will provide a beacon of hope and support to those in Scottish agriculture and the hospice community.

"We gratefully welcome any donations which will enable our two chosen charities to continue delivering the all-important support and services they provide."

Eden Valley Hospice provides specialist care for adults in north Cumbria with life-limiting conditions.

Fundraising manager for Eden Valley Hospice, Eleanor Viney, said: "As a charity, we rely on the kindness of our local community to provide the specialist end of life care that local families need.

"Without the generosity of local people such as Hugh and Dave, we couldn’t support families affected by life-limiting illness during such difficult times."

Simon Huntington, Lloyd Ltd Carlisle and Fluscowood Homes are among the companies sponsoring the expedition, making Mr Chamberlain's challenge a reality.

To support his journey, donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/campaign/highlandheathertosaharasands or by texting SAHARA to 70480 to donate £10.