The annual Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon (LAMM) is to be held on and around Ben Cruachan this coming weekend.

This popular two-day mountain orienteering competition is held in a different Highland area every year, with the location kept secret until just prior to the event. In recent years LAMMs have been held in locations including Glen Fyne, Glenfinnan, Kintail and Beinn Dearg. This year's competition will take place on the Glenstrae Estate near Dalmally, 9th-10th June.

Teams run in pairs and carry lightweight camping equipment, clothes and food for 36 hours. There are six courses to choose from ranging from Elite to Novice.

Organisers promise plenty of rough, pathless ground, bogs aplenty, interesting burn crossings and even some light scrambling on the longer courses.

'We may be a bit further south than last year, but we're still in an area with some very high hills and there are at least double the number of munros on the map compared with last year' says the event's controller Andy Spenceley.

'As usual the mid camp is a long way from the nearest road, about 10km as the crow flies (a bit more as the mountain marathoner wanders!). It's another spectacular setting, a campsite typical of the LAMM, with big mountains around you (real golden eagle and deer country – both seen by the organisers near the mid camp). A perfect place to relax after a hard day on the hills (midges dependent!).'

Best of luck to any participants, and fingers crossed for the weather.