Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes, 68, better known as Ranulph Fiennes, was charged with speeding by Justices of the Peace at Inverness Sheriff Court.

It is alleged Fiennes drove his 2009 silver Ford Mondeo two-litre car at 98mph in a 70mph zone.

The alleged offence happened on a dual carriageway stretch of road at Daviot, eight miles south of Inverness, on June 20.

Fiscal depute Ian Smith told the court: "There is nothing on the file and this is a first calling, so I will be seeking a continuation without plea for three weeks. The new date will be intimated to him."

Fiennes, who was not present, has been ordained to appear on October 3.

The man the Guinness book of Records calls "the world's greatest adventurer" may be disqualified from driving, if convicted.

Fiennes served in the British Army for eight years, including a period on counter-insurgency service while attached to the army of the Sultanate of Oman.

Fiennes, of Exford in Somerset, was the first man to visit both the North and South Poles by foot and the first to cross Antarctica on foot, and in May 2009, at the age of 65, he climbed to the summit of Mount Everest.