They are regarded as the Oscars of the mountaineering world.

Now two climbers have become the first Scots to receive the prestigious Piolet d'Or award after becoming the first people to complete one of the hardest climbs in the world.

Sandy Allan and Rick Allen have won the award presented annually to climbers whose ascents embody the best of mountaineering.

Mr Allan, 57, from Newtonmore, and Mr Allen, 58, from Aberdeen, were the first to complete the traverse of the entire six-mile Mazeno Ridge to reach the 8126m sum-mit of Nanga Parbat in Pakistan.

The Mazeno Ridge consists of eight 7000m peaks, and teams from France, America and Germany have tried in the past to make the ascent.

The veteran mountaineers were give the award – the "golden ice-axe" – at a three-day event held in Chamonix, France and Courmayeur, Italy.

Mr Allan said: "The Piolet d'Or is like the biggest Oscar you can get. It means our climb was probably one of the best ever done.

"We unlocked the Himalayan secret by climbing the Mazeno Ridge, and a lot of people had tried to climb it before, so it's just really nice to have the award, and nice to look back once we're retired.

"It's quite a big thing for Scottish climbing. It's the first time the award's come to Scotland, so it's pretty amazing really.

"And people expect young men to get it, and we're a bit older, so it shows that we're doing OK."

Mr Allan and Mr Allen both originally tried the climb in 1995, but a combination of factors – including the weather – meant they had to abandon the ascent.

They finally completed the two-week climb last summer, even though tough whiteout conditions forced the rest of their team to turn back.

The Scots were without food and water for the last three days of the climb and suffered frostbite to their fingers and toes.

Mr Allan said: "After I got back I got great support from the doctors in Aviemore and other consultants.

"Basically I've been really lucky and everything's healed up. Rick had to have half of one of his big toes cut off from frostbite, but he's doing OK."

However, Mr Allan and Mr Allen, currently based in Perth, Australia, are not slowing down on tackling more big climbs.

The pair intend to tackle more mountains in Pakistan and Nepal, and are making plans for next year.

Mr Allan added: "It's nice to be acknowledged by our peers, but really it's climbing, and the good thing about climbing is the competition is in yourself, it's not about competing with other climbers.

"We all just climb for ourselves and just climb for the mountains. It's nice to have an award, but there's something more spiritual going on, rather than just the material side of it.

"But it's nice for people internationally acknowledge we must be quite good and competent."

Mr Allan, who works between the Alps and Scotland as a mountain guide, is now preparing for a full summer of work with his guiding business, Team Ascent, which is based in Newtonmore.

He also hopes to complete a book about his experiences on Nanga Parbat for publication around Christmas.