LME has acquired the companies which run the increasingly popular Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running, Inverness Half Marathon & 5k and the Etape Loch Ness cycling event – Loch Ness Marathon Limited and Caledonian Concepts (Scotland) Limited. Both events companies were started by Caroline and Malcolm Sutherland in 2006.

Harper Macleod advised Caroline and Malcolm Sutherland on the sale of the companies. The Sutherlands have been longstanding clients of Harper Macleod in a relationship dating back more than eight years. Partner Craig McKerracher led the team with support from senior associate Fiona Strang and solicitor Kirstie Reilly. Employment law advice was provided by partner Ewan Stafford and associate Laura Auld and commercial real estate advice was provided by partner Andrew Kerr and senior solicitor Euan Bowie.

Mr McKerracher said: “Having participated in the Etape Loch Ness, I know from experience that it is a world-class event that is growing in popularity within the cycling community. Similarly, the Loch Ness Marathon and Inverness Half Marathon are becoming signature events on the running calendar.

“The opportunity to take part in well-organised mass participation sporting events in this part of the world doesn’t happen very often and Caroline and Malcolm, along with their team and partners such as Highland Council, have grown these events to the point where they have a major positive impact on local travel and tourism with people coming from across the world to take part. They will only go from strength to strength under the custodianship of the organisers of the London Marathon, the most popular marathon on the planet and one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors.”