Lorne's getaway

Lorne Brown, 78, from Dullatur touched down at Glasgow Airport from Iceland after getting a seat on one of the few flights taking to the skies.

He was stranded in Reykjavik for a day after completing his 10-day trek to the Arctic Circle.

But he described his gruelling challenge as "the best holiday" he had ever had.

The retired newspaper editorial artist has been raising money for the Guide Dogs charity and has already received more than 2,300 in donations. He travelled to a husky driving school in Tasiilaq, East Greenland, where he learned how to handle the animals and sled in order to get his husky driving licence.

He then faced sub-zero temperatures as led a sled pulled by the dogs to the North Pole.

Lorne said: "It was just me and my guide and it all went very well. Would you believe we even had a barbecue at minus 15 degrees, with real steak?"

Mr Brown took his bagpipes on his adventure and said they proved a hit with the Greenlanders who were keen to have a try.

He was originally due to fly back to Manchester on Monday last week but was delayed due to the travel chaos caused by the volcanic ash cloud.

He said: "The airport in Iceland was very busy with loads and loads of passengers stuck and waiting for the ash to move.

"I was really charmed in getting a flight and there were loud cheers when we touched down in Glasgow."

Donations can be made at http://www.justgiving.com/Lorne-Brown.