In pictures: Eight-day 249-mile Highland race begins

The Cape Wrath Ultra - a 249-mile (400km) running race - has started in the north-west Highlands.

The event challenges entrants to complete a backpacking route within eight days.

Most people finish it in about 20 days.

The race starts near Fort William in Lochaber and takes runners through glens and over mountains to Cape Wrath in Sutherland.

There are overnight camps along the way.

More than 170 ultra runners from 19 countries are taking part.

Parts of the route follow footpaths and remote tracks through places including Knoydart, Torridon and Assynt.

The race does not use any signs or waymarking to show the route and participants are required to use a combination of navigational skills with a map and compass, supplemented by modern GPS technology if they wish.