Scotland

For me, the Scottish Highlands offer the best and truest rounds in the British Isles.  The mountains are that bit higher, the tops are more prominent, the scenery is that bit grander and on the West Coast, the interplay of sea and mountains is unmatched.  The mountains can also be much more remote and committing, especially in the winter when they are at their best.  Winter rounds in Scotland are generally a very different proposition to those in England and Wales and take on more of a mountaineering quality.

Grey (white!) Corries to Ben Nevis on a winter Ramsay


The Tranter was the first recognised round of any significance and in my opinion, it remains one of the best quality round in mainland Britain.  This was extended to the Ramsay which has become one of the three recognised classics.  Mark Rigby added a round in the Cairngorms, and Jon Broxap's Munro round in Kintail and Affric still stands as a record for the number of Munros in a day.  However, this barely scratches the surface of what is possible in the Highlands, with circuits around long glens making obvious targets. I've completed many challenges now in Scotland, both in summer and winter.  I've endeavoured to follow natural lines, some as a round, and a couple as traverses.  I've not imposed a time limit as most of these were done solo on a 'turn up, do the route, go home' basis, but with a bit of preparation and support most would be do-able within 24 hours.

The table shows the challenges that I've completed and their location is shown on the map below.  Click on the route name to access the route page, where further details, photos, accounts and timings are available.  You can also download a summary of the challenges here.  The Gofar web site is also a source of invaluable information.


Map Route and Page Link Miles Feet FKC* Season Time Date
1 Cruachan Classic 44 21,500 1st W 28 h 06/02/09
2 Clachaig Challenge 56 30,150 1st S 30 h 11 m 23/07/07
2 Etive Round 57 30,400 1st S 30 h 20 m 25/06/05
2 Glencoe Skyline 25 14,500 1st W W 22 h 13/03/20
2 Kingshouse Round 52 27,700 1st S 28 h 55 m 13/05/06
2 Kingshouse Round (2) 48 27,000 2nd S 35 h 08/08/20
3 Ramsay Round 60 28,000 2nd W W 47 h 55 m 05/03/06
3 Ramsay Round 60 28,000 30th S 23 h 53 m 12/07/03
3 Tranter's Round 38 20,300 2nd W W 26 h 45 m 18/12/02
3 Tranter's Round 38 20,300 ? S 16 h 7 m 20/04/03
4 Scottish Haute Route 108 34,500 1st W 3 days 19/12/07
5 Loch Shiel Round 54 20,400 1st S 29 h 20 m 17/07/20
6 Laggan Round 63 22,000 1st S 33 h 30/08/20
7 Cairngorm Tops (DNF) 90 28,000 DNF S 34 h 40 m 28/07/08
7 Rigby Round 74 18,000 1st W W 54 h 13/12/10
8 Knoydart Round 55 26,500 1st S 27 h 40 m 10/08/04
9 Broxap Round 75 34,800 1st W W 61 h 24/02/20
10 Glen Shiel Round (16 Munros) 38 16,000 1st W W 23 h 25/01/05
10 Glen Shiel Round (19 Munros) 40 23,000 1st W W 30 h 01/02/06
11 Cuillin Ridge 16 13,000 ? W 2 days 19/03/18
11 Cuillin Round 39 23,000 3rd S 29 h 04/06/16
12 Mullardoch Round 48 20,000 1st W 26 h 8 m 02/02/07
13 Strathfarrar Watershed 62 25,000 1st W 50 h 27/02/17
14 Torridon Giants 27 14,500 1st W W 17 h 11/03/14
15 Fisherfield 24 hour Round 60 25,500 1st S 23 h 50 m 08/06/12
15 Fisherfield 24 hour Round (2) 60 25,500 DNF W 35 h 07/01/18
15 Fisherfield Round 70 28,000 1st S 37 h 19/06/11
15 Fisherfield Round (2) 70 28,000 2nd S 31 h 24/07/11
16 Assynt Traverse 50 20,800 5th S 27 h 27/05/18
17 Torridon Round 45 23,800 1st S 33 h 45 m 29/05/21
18 Sutherland Round 56 21,150 1st S 28 h 28/06/21
19 Glen Lyon Watershed 75 32,500 1st S 47 h 15 m 31/07/21





















































































































































































































































































1 comment:

Greig said...

Thanks a lot for this invaluable resource!