IT'S gold for Scotland – after our top women's side beat English rivals to scoop a world title.
The National told how some of our toughest athletes aimed to pull their way to victory at the Tug-of-War International Federation championships in South Africa.
The country was represented by the Ayrshire Ladies side, members of which balance jobs in farming and other industries with strength and stamina training.
Now the team is to carry more weight – after clinching gold medals in the 500kg open category.
The win was clinched in a 2-0 victory over English rivals Kilroe Ladies in a "tough battle" and, despite being almost 9000 miles from home, the players celebrated their victory to the skirl of the pipes.
Coach Colin Montgomery told The National: "To get the chance to compete at world championships is great, but to come home with a gold medal is surreal."
Ahead of the international challenge, anchor Lorna Bennett told of her frustration at the lack of recognition given to the minority sport.
Now the team hopes to use the victory to build support and encourage more women to get involved.
Montgomery said: "We want to show people that there is another side to tug of war than what you see at school sport days and Highland games. Tug-of-war is a great all round team sport which combines strength and stamina training."
He went on: "As this was Scotland's first ever outdoor world championship gold medal, we were all quite emotional when we won.
"It’s taken a lot of years of work within the clubs and Scottish association to achieve this, but getting a result like this makes all the hard work worth it.
"Later that night at dinner we were lucky that one of the team that was over in Cape Town with us is a piper, so he played a few tunes for us to celebrate."
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