A GREENOCK man has completed his 50th marathon hike along the famous West Highland Way — and is believed to be the first person to reach that milestone.

The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, which promotes and manages the Way, heard about Chic Kavanagh’s achievement and produced a special silver medal engraved with ‘Well done Charlie — 50 walks’.

The route runs for 96 miles from Milngavie to Fort William, across some of the most memorable scenery in Scotland, including Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor and Glencoe.

Chic, 53, says he is on cloud nine about the medal and his half-century, and is determined to keep going.

A fully qualified football referee, his fitness regime includes running up and down the steps from Cathcart Street to Wellpark.

He was inspired to trek the Way for the first time in 1991 by folk singer Jimmie Macgregor’s TV programmes about walking across Scotland, which included The West Highland Way, In the Footsteps of Bonnie Prince Charlie and Macgregor’s Gathering.

Chic, pictured above with his medal, said: “I love everything about Scotland.

“My mother was a MacGregor, so I feel my roots are in the Highlands with Rob Roy.

“The first walk was a challenge and a bit of a disaster. I did it with brothers John and Joe O’Toole of Greenock, but John hurt his knee and the two of them told me to go on and they would meet me later. They ended up getting lost and wandering up and down Loch Lomondside for hours.

“I thought I was fit enough to do it after walking over the hills from Greenock to Largs. The going was really tough, but I enjoyed it and just kept going back, sometimes three times a year.” Chic covers the Way in five stages, staying overnight in bed and breakfast accommodation.

He said: “I wear good boots and either a kilt or shorts because that’s more comfortable for walking.

“Many local people have gone with me over the years, in snow, rain, sleet and sunshine.

“I have a real passion for walking — I’ve also climbed more than 100 Munros — and I’ve even told my family that I want my ashes to be scattered on the West Highland Way and the top of Ben Nevis.” Chic’s family has also caught the walking bug — his wife, Catherine, 51, has covered the route 12 times, son Shaun, 26, has clocked up 10 journeys and his older brother Michael, 32, has covered parts of the route.

Champagne and whisky flowed when Chic celebrated his 50th walk in Fort William with Catherine and walking friends from around the country.

Now he is looking forward to returning to the Way in the spring.