BEN Nevis is to become the focus of the Paralympic Torch Relay with the Scottish flame being lit at its summit.
On Wednesday a group of Scouts from communities around Lochaber will climb the mountain to join in the lighting of the flame.
At the same time flames will be created at the summit of the highest peak of the other three home nations.
Scotland’s flame will then be placed in a miner’s lantern and transferred to Edinburgh where it will be the focus for a day of Paralympic celebrations.
From Edinburgh the flame will be taken to Stoke Mandeville, the spiritual home of the Paralympic movement, where it will be united with the other three national flames during a special ceremony on August 28 to create the London 2012 Paralympic Flame.
Sebastian Coe, cChair of LOCOG, said: “We have created a unique identity for the Paralympic Torch Relay which will be a celebration of courage, determination, inspiration and equality that every Paralympian represents.
“By creating the Scottish flame through human endeavour at the summit of Ben Nevis we will ensure that the spirit of Scotland is represented in the Paralympic Flame.
“Today we invite people to show their support for the Paralympic Torch Relay, whether it is taking lanterns along to a flame festival or celebration, supporting a torchbearer or lighting a lantern at home to help us lead the way to the Paralympic Games.”
In June, thousands of people gave the Olympic Torch a rapturous welcome as it passed through Lochaber.
Locals and visitors lined the streets in Glencoe, North Ballachulish, Fort William and Spean Bridge as the flame made its way from Glasgow to Inverness.
Scottish singing star Emeli Sande was a surprise torch bearer in North Ballachulish, carrying the famous flame across the Ballachulish Bridge. The chart-topping performer later headlined a special torch relay concert at the Northern Meeting Park in Inverness.
