Scots sporting legends Colin Montgomerie and Gavin Hastings join forces for cancer charity trek along West Highland Way

by Annie Brown, Daily Record.co.uk

Golfer Colin Montgomerie found himself in the rough for charity yesterday.

Ryder Cup captain Monty, along with ex-Scotland rugby international Gavin Hastings and some other hardy walkers, set off on a trek that was far from the immaculate fairways he is used to.

In wet and miserable weather and trudging through thick mud, Monty struggled to even find the start of the West Highland Way at first.

But the two sporting legends were soon on their way for a 21-mile stretch of the walk and marched on undaunted.

Monty, 46, said: "I have walked seven miles a day on the golf course for the last 25 years, so this isn't a problem for me.

"I'm just so grateful to all the other people who have given up their time to help us."

Monty and Gavin were doing the first 21 miles of the Way in support of 32 hotel staff who will complete the entire length in aid of the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation.

The group were set up in memory of Colin's mother, who died from cancer, to help families affected by the disease.

For Gavin, 47, the walk was poignant as a former neighbour of his - a mum who was only in her 40s - died yesterday from cancer.

Gavin said: "I think her death shows how so many people are so horribly affected by cancer. It touches all our lives and it is a devastating disease."

The ex-British Lions captain added: "For Monty it is important he works hard for this charity in his mother's name."

"He has the biggest challenge of his life coming with the Ryder Cup and it is great to have days like today when you see people pulling together for him."

The walkers from boutique hotel chains Malmaison and Hotel du Vin will complete the 95-mile hike from Milngavie, near Glasgow, to Fort William in the next five days - raising £100,000.

They were enlisted by chief executive and golf fanatic Robert Cook. He said: "As a company, we have a social responsibility and we decided this was a great cause."

Robert was at school in Peterhead with Laura Lee, the chief executive of the Maggie's cancer caring centres, and her involvement in the charity clinched the deal.

The foundation's first project is to build a Maggie's in Lanarkshire to provide support to cancer patients, families and carers.