The Saltire Foundation's Patron Mark Beaumont has been named 'Scot of the Year' at the Glenfidicch Spirit of Scotland Awards. 

Past winners of this award include JK Rowling and Sir Chris Hoy.

Sandy Kennedy, CEO of The Saltire Foundation, said “Mark is a very worthy winner – his achievements are a result of incredible determination, hard graft and vision. He is a fantastic role model not just to the Saltire Foundation Fellows and Scholars but to all of us. We all at The Saltire Foundation wish Mark many, many congratulations.”

Mark is now a BBC documentary maker, best selling author and acclaimed public speaker, He is currently at home in Scotland writing his second book, attending events and training for his next expedition… more details soon. In 2007/8 Mark broke the World Record for cycling around the world, covering 18,296 miles in 194 days and 17 hours, breaking the old record by 81 days. In 2009/10 he cycled from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, stopping to climb the highest peaks of Denali and Aconcagua on route.

For more on the Spirit of Scotland awards go to: http://bit.ly/hCort6