The imposing Cairngorm mountain yesterday formed the backdrop for a rather different sporting challenge to the one most commonly associated with the country's premier skiing venue.
Three of Scotland's European Challenge Tour golfers, James Byrne, David Law and Michael Stewart, were joined by the Englishman Eddie Pepperell and Michael Lorenzo-Vera, of France, in scaling new heights when they hit the highest golf shots recorded in the UK, from 1097m above sea level.
The history-making stunt was performed from a tee at the Ptarmigan restaurant as part of the build-up to this week's Scottish Hydro Challenge at the Macdonald Spey Valley Golf course.
Despite having to contend with a howling wind in an effort to land the ball on a small, specially constructed green 130 yards down the mountain, they eventually found their range and 23-year-old Byrne very nearly claimed a hole-in-one with his eighth attempt. His ball actually bounced out of the cup before resting on the green. But it was Lorenzo-Vera who was nearest the pin with a shot that rebounded off a rock and landed five yards from the hole.
Walker Cup player Byrne said: "The green was only about two metres square so the chances were pretty slim and to even hit it was impressive. Maybe that was close to being the highest hole-in-one in the world."
Law added: "It was really good fun to come out here before the tournament and relax and have a laugh with the lads. It's different from anything I've ever done before, that's for sure, and I thought we had no chance when I saw it at first."
The Scots are well represented this week at Aviemore, with the five members of Team Scottish Hydro – Chris Doak, Jack Doherty, Callum Macaulay, Andrew McArthur and Jamie McLeary – playing, as well as brothers Elliot and Lloyd Saltman and former PGA Champion Scott Drummond.
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