THEY billed it as Norman's Conquest, a Yarrow march clocking up 200-plus miles across scenic southern Scotland.
After two weeks of beautiful sunshine and driving rain, hail and unseasonal snow Norman Yarrow, whose family are synonymous with shipbuilding on the Clyde, completed his trek from Galloway to East Lothian.
Describing it as "like walking through treacle", the march comes two years after the businessman and son of shipbuilder Sir Eric Yarrow was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.
Completing the marathon yesterday afternoon Norman more than doubled his target of £100,000 by walking from Port Patrick in the south west of the country to Cockburnspath, just south of Dunbar, along the Southern Upland Way, a distance of 215 miles.
Along the way Mr Yarrow was joined by Scottish rugby and Lions legend Gavin Hastings, whose wife Diana was diagnosed with Parkinson's in her 30s. Sir Eric will also join the walk with up to 100 others taking part on certain days.
Some £250,000 now goes to raise funds for Parkinson's research and awareness about the crippling neurological condition.
Mr Yarrow said: "We set out with three things to achieve: raise money, raise awareness and make friends. We've done all that.
"On Sunday I really thought I was going to die I felt so faint. We had to battle our way through driving rain, snow, everything the elements could throw at us.
"Now it's time for a celebration. My father, Iain Gray the MSP and the head of Parkinson's UK in Scotland will be there, along with Gavin and Diane."
Wife Carol, who provided the logistical support, said: "It was amazing. We had 250 people join uis along the way, with eight and Norman completing the entire walk. It's such an incredible achievement."
Food firm Baxters and clothing retailer Next also lent a hand to the walk, with cash going to The Cure Parkinson's Trust and Parkinson's UK.
A non-smoker, Mr Yarrow had a third of his lungs removed in 2012 due to cancer which due to its isolation was not fatal. But immediately after the Open Championship at Muirfield the following year a friend recommended he seek medical advice.
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