Young shinty player trains at Everest Base Camp

Shinty goalkeeper Fergus Maclean showing a sherpa the intricacies of a shinty caman

Shinty has reached new heights after a 12-year-old player made it to Everest Base Camp with his caman - and even had time to do a little bit of training with the shinty stick.

Fergus Maclean, from Fort Augustus, completed the eight-day trek in Nepal with his mum, Liz, last week.

It is thought to be the first time anyone has completed the 5,364m (17,598ft) climb to the foot of the world's tallest mountain with a caman.

Fergus, a Kilchuimen Academy pupil who plays in goals for Glengarry U14s and U17s, did the challenge in memory of his grandparents who had dementia and to raise money for charity.

Fergus said: "It was very cold and the higher up we went the harder it was to breathe because of the altitude.

"I'm very happy to have done it. It was amazing to see big mountains and especially Everest.

"I am now really looking forward to eating some nice chocolate and getting a hot shower."

Fergus Maclean who made it to Everest Base Camp.

Fergus added: "It was a big achievement and something I will never forget - but I'm not sure I will do it again."

He has raised several hundred pounds and plans to donate the money to Dementia UK as well as the Telford Centre Care Home in Fort Augustus, where his late granny was cared for.

Fergus also hopes to give some of the cash to The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, a charity his grandmother supported.

His mum Liz Proudlock previously worked as a mountain guide assisting people to Everest Base Camp in the 1990s.

She said she was incredibly proud of her son.

"There's been some bitterly cold mornings but Fergus embraced the challenge of the whole trekking experience," she said.

"He just kept on going. He was so determined. We did it together as a team."

Ms Proudlock said it was important shinty also played a part in the challenge.

She is a member of the Women's Camanachd Association (WCA) and the ball that Fergus used while practicing some keepy uppies was a WCA ball.

"Shinty is embedded in him. He loves it. He was so proud to leave his mark for Glengarry up there," she said.