THIS musician swapped opera for the outdoors as she took on a gruelling 680-mile challenge along the spine of Scotland.

Long-distance runner and violinist, Elspeth Luke, raised £10,000 for the charity Funding Neuro during a 34-day endurance test.

The challenge saw her complete what is known as Scotland's Watershed - tackling 45 Munros and 24 Corbetts.

Elspeth said: “Peter Wright inspired my adventure with his book Ribbon of Wildness. His enthusiasm for the Watershed and his terrific support made this trip possible.

“It’s fantastic to smash my original target of £8,000 and I’m extremely grateful to everyone who donated.

“This money will be a real impact upon the work of Funding Neuro, such a fantastic charity.”

The 33-year-old set off on July 13 and finished on August 15, originally aiming to raise £8,000.

Elspeth was pushed to carry out the fundraiser in honour father, Warren Luke, 67, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease three years ago.

Scotland’s Watershed is the drainage divide that runs down the middle of the nation, separating the river systems flowing to the east in the North Sea from those that run to the Atlantic Ocean on the West.

The 680-mile journey took her from Peel Fell in the middle of the Scottish Borders to Duncansby Head in the North East of Scotland, navigating her way through a maze of forests, bogs and dirt-tracks en-route.

When she is not taking part in ultra-endurance events, Elspeth is a freelance violinist who performs regularly in the orchestra of the Scottish Opera and teaches violin.

Funding Neuro is a Scottish Charity established in 2008 by Glasgow-based Bryn Williams.

Bryn, 43, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease aged 36 in 2007 and set up the organisation to help fund research focused on solving the common problems hindering progress towards cures and effective treatments for conditions affecting the brain or spinal column such as brain tumours, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease.

A unique treatment was pioneered by neurosurgeon Professor Steven Gill and injects drugs directly into the brain, overcoming a major drawback which hampers traditional methods.

This revolutionary technology is likely to lead to cures for these neurological conditions in the near future.

Sharon Kane, chief executive of Funding Neuro, said: “We’re immensely grateful to Elspeth for undertaking such a tremendous feat of endurance.

“This really was one big adventure and we’re really appreciative of everyone who has donated.

"The money will make a measurable difference in helping fund our research into treatment and cures of neurological disorders and we cannot say thank you enough.”

For more information about Watershed Scotland, Funding Neuro or Arnold Clark please visit the below websites.

https://www.justgiving.com/Watershed-Scotland/

www.fundingneuro.com/