North of Scotland LDWA, Highland Coast 2 Coast marshals event, 36.2 miles, 14.06.2025
The North of Scotland LDWA do a wonderful thing, in that they put on a "marshals event" for people helping at the main event, so that anyone marshaling and wanting to do it still gets the opportunity.
The Highland Coast 2 Coast is a crossing of Scotland, from Ullapool on the west coast, to Ardgay on the east coast. The route is a low level route, following lochs and rivers along three valleys, with a small amount of hill to get between them.
I've done two NoS LDWA events before; the Laich o'Moray 50, and the Speyside 100, and since moving to Scotland, we've joined it as our local group. It was a great day getting to know some of the members, what a lovely bunch!
We were to be at Ardgay for 6.45am, in order to be on the minibus at 7am for the journey over to Ullapool. The journey over was a highlight in itself, as the mountains and lochs sailed by.
The forecast was dreadful, but the weather actually held until the evening, so we escaped getting too wet at all.
We set off from Ullapool harbour a little before 9am, and Andrew and I walked with Graham and Sue for the first section. Such good fun getting to know people and learning about their stories, and the miles flew by.
The first section was up and into the first valley and along Loch Achall, along the Rhiddoroch river, to the first CP at Rhiddoroch Lodge. Along the way, we met two free running sheepdogs out on the hills, who took it in turn to herd us for a few miles.
Roger did a sterling job looking after everyone at CP1 with hot and cold drinks, snacks, and pizza (until one of the sheep dogs ran off with the last slice).
The next section went up to the high point of the walk, then along Loch an Daimh, past the bothy at Knockdamph, and along some muddy landrover tracks.
Next it was on to the river crossing at Abhainn Poiblidh. The river wasn't too high, and Dave and John had kindly rigged up a rope and were there to help everyone across if needed.
Then it was a mile or two along Glen Einig to CP2 at the Schoolhouse Bothy, where Alison and Roger had set up a comfy CP, which even had milkshakes!
From CP2 the next section was mostly through the Croik Estate, and along Strath Cuileannach. Saw loads of deer!
CP3 was at Croik, opposite the church (a significant location in the Highland clearnaces), where Roger had managed to leg it over from CP1 and set up another fabulous CP in his car boot, even with deck chairs and a stove, altough the midges had gatecrashed the party!
The last section was along a quiet lane along the River Carron, all the way back to Ardgay and the sea at Dornoch Firth, to complete the walk across Scotland!
Julie had prepared drinks and food at the end in Ardgay Hall and it was so nice to have a sit down and good chat with everyone. Absolutely loved the day, and so excited to have walked across Scotland! Thank you NoS group! 💚💙💚
Saltire 12 with Rebel PT, 59.8miles, 21.06.2025
I've never done a 12 hour event before, so thought it would be fun to try out something new! My first time running this event, which was organised by RebelPT, and it was brilliant!
The event was held at Knockburn Sports Loch, which is slightly south of Banchory over on the east coast (near Aberdeen). Andrew, Tricia and I made a road trip of it, and went over east for the whole weekend, and did some sightseeing too.
There were 6 hour, 12 hour, and 24 hour events all starting off at 10am on the Saturday, and solo runners and teams taking part.
The weather was all encompassing; started off with the haar fog, then got sunny, humid and hot during the day, followed by big winds, a downpour, and then back to being hot. The weather is never boring in Scotland!
The route was challenging, but brilliant. 4.2 miles, from the event village by the loch, a tiny bit on a tarmac track, then the rest was on rough trails. We headed first part way up Kerloch Hill, a great section along a track lined with pine trees and heather with lovely views, a nice downhill part, across the moorland and to Knoll Gallacher....
... then back down, through the campsite/festival village, woods....
...round the loch, up the evil hill, back down it, and past the start to "dib our dobbers".
The marshals were incredible!
Met some lovely people and it was a nice way to spend a Saturday. The evening was gorgeous!
I did find it tough, but I enjoyed it and managed 59.8 miles in 11 hours 50 min, with almost 5000 feet of ascent, and came 2nd lady and 4th overall.
North of Scotland LDWA, Highland Coast 2 Coast marshaling on the main event, 28.06.2025
Up at 3am for a 5.30am start at Ardgay Community Hall for marshalling duties on the Highland C2C event!
Early morning duties included car parking (Andrew and Dad) and registration (me, and my Mum also put in a shift before setting off to the start of the walk!). The start had a great buzz about it; people registering and getting their tally cards, fitting in some last minute tea and toast, and general pre-race faffing.
Once everyone (157) were registered, the coaches set off at 7am to the start all Ullapool, so participants could walk/run back to the finish at Ardgay.
We then had a marshals breakfast, before having the day to ourselves, before going back at 5pm for the evening shift.
That was epic! Andrew and I were on serving duty - directing finishers to a table, taking food and drink orders, getting this from the kitchen and making sure everyone had a good meal to recover. The marshals in the kitchen were just incredible - making a two course meal for all 157 people (plus marshals) all ready in time for whatever time people finished, and all in a little village hall kitchen!
It was such a nice experience, chatting to everyone at the end and celebrating people achieve a crossing of the country on foot!
Big congratulations to my Mum, aunty and cousin who all completed the walk in excellent time. And all other participants!
It was a brilliant experience, and served as a reminder of why I love the LDWA and what a fantastic organisation it is. All credit to NoS LDWA group for putting on this excellent event.
Got to bed at 1am, and slept so well!
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