A WORLD record attempt is being staged in the Cairngorms next week which should bring tears to the eyes of even the hardiest Hielander.
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The sight of 600 kilted skiers and snowboarders snaking down the piste in one continuous line will be an emotional one for kilt enthusiasts, even if it will doubtless prove to be a draughty experience for those taking part.
CairnGorm Mountain is attempting to set a world record for the largest number of kilted skiers and snowboarders skiing down a piste at once.
The bid will take place at 11am on Saturday, March 6 - although it is subject to change depending on the weather.
All money raised will be split between Maggie's Highland and the Badenoch and Strathspey Schools Skiing Programme.
Spokeswoman Tania Alliod said: "We are aiming to have 600 kilted skiers and snowboarders ski in a single line from the Ptarmigan Top Station at CairnGorm Mountain all the way down to car park level."
And Ian Whitaker, chief executive of CairnGorm Mountain, said: "Snow conditions this winter are so fantastic that staff wanted to celebrate the skiing from top to bottom in a memorable way that would also involve the public.
"So far this year we have held two torchlight descents, but this 'CairnGorm in Kilts' world record attempt would be unique to Scotland and Scottish skiing.
"We hope that our customers will embrace the fun, and also know that they are raising money for two great local causes."
Participants should be competent intermediate to advanced skiers or snowboarders capable of skiing slowly and steadily.
They will follow one another as closely as possible, from the top station down the Traverse, Coire Cas, Zig Zags and the lower slopes without stopping, as world record attempts require the line to be consecutive and a moving single line.
In the event of poor weather, the record attempt will be made on March 7 or again, finally, on March 13.
One slight hiccup encountered by the organisers is that Guinness World Records are so far refusing to recognise the attempt.
In a letter to CairnGorm Mountain, Guinness stated: "Thank you for your enquiry regarding your intention to attempt the record for 'Most skiers in kilts skiing down a piste at once'. Your proposal is not of interest to us as a new category."
Instead, they have gone off piste and flagged up a record they think the resort may be interested in trying to smash - 'Largest ski lesson'.
The current record is a lesson attended by 594 skiers who were instructed by Hansjürg Gredig (Switzerland) of the Swiss-Snowsport School at Sarn-Heinzenberg (Graubünden), Switzerland, on February 23, 2008.
Ski resort bosses are still working on trying to persuade them to change their mind, but either way they will press on with their kilted world record attempt.
Publicity-aware Guinness have invited them to use the Guinness World Records trademark or logo.
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