The only Scotsman to compete at this year’s Iditarod has said it was an “incredible experience” to take part.

Wattie McDonald told Aberdeen’s Press and Journal that the start of the Last Great Race was “sheer hell”, but that once he was over the 40-mile stretch he began to enjoy himself.

He was proud to finish 45th out of 71 starters, especially as all 16 of his sled dogs came across the finish line with him.

This was a feat he put down to his excellent canine care rituals.

McDonald said: “It was very, very difficult – a lot harder than I expected it to be. But by the end I’d have liked to carried on because I was having so much fun.”

He added that despite the fact the race finished over ten days ago, he is still recovering from the gruelling 1,000-mile course.

McDonald was one of a number of rookies who managed to complete the race – Jamaican Newton Marshall and Chris Adkins were among the other finishers.