Some of the Royal Marines from the Fleet Protection Group with Scott Cunningham and his guide dog Travis. Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD

A blind walker was helped to the top of Britain’s highest mountain by a group of Royal Marines.

Scott Cunningham and his guide dog Travis were assisted by nine members of the Fleet Protection Group from the Faslane base on Gare Loch in Argyll and Bute on his recent ascent of Ben Nevis.

The walk up the 1,344m (4,409ft) mountain helped raise more than £10,000 for charity.

Colour Sergeant Bill Rodgers, from the Fleet Protection Group’s S Squadron, said: “Fleet Protection Group got involved around four years ago when one of Scott’s friends, who is an ex-Royal Marine, asked if we could support him on the West Highland Way.

“Our commanding officer and regimental sergeant major were happy for the unit to help and since then we have supported Scott in all his charity work and helped him raise £100,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

“The Ben Nevis climb took seven hours to complete: four hours up and three hours to get back down.”

The Travis Trek charity is now collecting money jointly, with half going to Guide Dogs for the Blind and half to the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund.

“So far we have managed to raise £10,000 for each charity,” added Colour Sergeant Rodgers. “We hope to collect more than £25,000 from this year’s Travis Trek Gala Ball, an event we will be holding on 24 September at the Crowne Plaza Glasgow.”

Several Scottish notables have already signed up for the ball, including Rangers manager Ally McCoist and the team’s management team. Some of the Rangers’ first team players, broadcaster Jim White and golfer Peter Lawrie will also be attending.