Chris Howard the coast walker nears Moray in his year-long trek to help Children in Need
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Keep an eye out for adventurer Chris Howard as he treks on foot along the Moray coastline.
The 37-year-old is now about three-quarters through his quest to walk the whole way around the edges of Britain.
Having set off in a clockwise direction from Norfolk nearly a year ago, he's since raised just under £30,000 for Children in Need – three times his original target
He's also encountered more than his fair share of unusual experiences.
These include spending a sleepless night inside a red telephone box hiding from a raging gale on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Then, not long afterwards, being invited aboard a 60ft charter vessel where he was fed the best seafood he's ever tasted.
Thankfully, though, the good has far outweighed the bad.
Chris is currently heading in this direction, having recently departed Dornoch.
He says: "The west coast of Scotland was beautiful but I was lonely at times.
"I hardly saw anyone and there were very few shops which meant I had to carry a lot more supplies in my backpack which, in turn, slowed me down.
"When I finally got to Wick and Thurso, they seemed like huge metropolises.
"It's been much easier walking down the east coast and I'm enjoying it much more again.
"It's great to be meeting and talking to people."
The dad-of-three is also nearing a much-longed-for reunion with his wife Abigail and three young daughters – Nala and Elsa (both 8) and Aria (5).
The family will be spending the whole of the Christmas period together in Inverness where they've booked a hotel.
Chris says: "I set out to raise money for Children in Need because of what I knew regarding youngsters during the first lockdown who were trapped in difficult situations which they couldn't escape.
"I've kept in regular contact with Abigail and the girls but it will be so nice to see them in person again.
"There's hardly been a day when I haven't thought about stopping.
"But I also want to make it to the finish now. My goal is to raise £40,000 for the charity."
Chris, who is a builder by trade, says his long journey has left him humbled by the kindness shown by so many strangers,
He said: "When I set off there appeared to be a lot of animosity about.
"Some people seemed to have been at each other's throats ever since Brexit, and lockdown had only made them even more short-tempered.
"But the major message I'll take from this trip is just how many good people there are who are both curious and not quick to pass judgment."
Apart from his phone, Chris is carrying nothing with him but the bare essentials of a tent, a cooking stove, a sleeping bag and a change of clothing.
His initial aim was to walk a marathon – 26 miles – every day.
However, the dark nights have cut that to between 18 and 22 miles now.
Chris is scheduled to be walking along the Moray coastline in the New Year.
To offer donations or a place to stay, contact him via his website – thecoastwalker.com
