Run, and you shall be rewarded! 39km today across Islay and Jura. All but a few km on road but only a handful of cars passed by. Another contrast of a day, from the Mountains of Arran to the long beach on Islay to the rolling hills inland from Bowmore. The Sherpa rode with me though he went ahead on the downhills and I caught him up on the uphills. 21km in we stopped for tea and cake in Ballygrant where the heavens opened. It had stopped by the time we’d finished and I headed for the Loch Ballygrant route whilst Andy headed direct to Port Askaig. I arrived just in time for the ferry to Jura. The ferry is short and we were across in no time. Time for some lunch and soak up the sunshine. I wasn’t too looking forward to the last 12km of the day but the sun was out and I took my time. Jura landscape didn’t disappoint, birds of prey up above, deer on either side and lovely views across to Islay, Kintyre and Arran. Those mountains I crossed seemed so far away now. Ferry and feet have taken me from there to here. I must admit I was done with running and battled the last few Kms out. The sun was shining in Craigshouse and we cooled down with beer overlooking the bay and the Paps. I’m glad we’re here for two nights. Rest day tomorrow! #run #islands #scottishislands #jura #visitscotland
The day started with a 2km run along the main road, Andy riding behind like a true support vehicle, the only thing that was missing was a sign on his back with “wide load”, he joked! The Ferry to Islay takes 2hours and it gave me time to fuel. Nothing better than a breakfast on a CalMac ferry! We arrived into Port Ellen to overcast skies and a brisk wind after sailing through the only rain of the day. We decided to walk the 3 Distilleries way to Ardbeg, 7km along the coast. A shared use path took us off the road and along a very scenic route to Laphroaig, then Lagavulin then to Ardbeg. We turned around after deciding not to wait for a cafe table and headed back to the bike which we’d abandoned at the first distillery. Here I donned my gators as I knew a large stretch to Bowmore would be on the beach and I didn’t want sand in my shoes. Filling up my water bottles at the distillery we headed back to Port Ellen, Andy riding alongside for a while before deciding he needed food. I ran on and turned off the main road to head for The Strand, the main beach that would take me all the way to Bowmore. Immediately at Kintra the wind was in my face, it was relentless. It was slow going and the many river crossings meant wet feet (of course). even with the wind the beach run was great, I do miss the sea! Arriving at the north end of the beach my plan was to cross the bridge and follow the headland around to Bowmore. My extensive pouring over different maps, OS, Open Street Map, Google and local guide books lead me to believe there was a bridge over the river Laggan. It was there in satellite pictures. But something in me had thought I’d find it defunct. And defunct it was. I mean it was still there, most of it, just wasn’t spanning the river anymore. There was nothing I could do but get in the water and wade across. The water was cool, refreshing on my feet, ankles, calves, knees and it came up to just the bottoms of my quads! Safely on the other side, I decided to change my route to something of certainty. Sometimes the easy way is better. So I took the track to the main road and arrived into a sunny Bowmore some 22km later. Total mileage, 35km.
Arran gave me mountains and mudslides. Lots of sun and sweat. All lots of fun!
Getting to Arran was nerve wracking tho. The trains were on time but arriving into Ardrossan Harbour the queue for passengers was huge. They said we might not get on. If I was to run across Arran I needed to be on that ferry. Eventually we did and all was well with the world.
The weather was forecast to be raining at time and cloudy other times, but the sun was out when we arrived into Brodick. I didn’t expect it to stay out.
I left Andy to cycle to Lochranza via the coast road. I headed for Glen Rosa.
Immediately in the Glen, signs of heavy rain, erosion and high flood water marks were evidential. I ploughed on through the water up the most amazing valley. Cir Mhor was behind cloud but I was in full sun. I didn’t realise it but I burning.
Glen Rosa is beautiful and at its head i got the poles out and started climbing. The sun was on my neck and backs of the arms so I used my gators as long arm extensions which seemed to keep the sun at bay
I rounded the ridge and skirted across Cir Mhor toward Casteal Abhail. Following the horse shoe ridge to its top. The views were amazing.
From here I headed North following the ridge until I bee lined across boulder and heather to Loch Na Davie. Here a horrible boggy and rocky path would lead me to Lochranza. The going was slow. The path resembled a river more than anything. I then hit problems. Mudslides had wiped out what little path there was. Slilt, sand and rock stood in my way. It wasn’t steady, and my legs were disappearing 2/3 ft into the ground. I made slow progress the largest one I retreated after almost getting stuck. I ended up navigating to the river and actually walking through the river to get by. I made it to Lochranza in one piece if a little tierd.
Summer in the Pentlands. This tree lined road marks the start of many adventures. Look closely and you realise you don’t need to take the tarmac here. There’s trails trodden that follow the line of the trees. About half way your lungs are busting, breathing ever deeper. You start to shorten your stride, take more steps, slow the pace but ever grinding it out. But you know this isn’t the last hill you’re going to encounter.
Turning left at the top you get to a beautiful track that leads you right into the heart of the Pentlands into Green Cleugh, from there, many ascents will take you to the tops, or if you prefer, you can continue to the reservoirs and an easier return via Dens Cleugh or Maidens Cleugh.
Turning right, you can either take the Red road to the Kips, or the bog road to Baron’s Cleugh and onto North Esk Reservoir. Which is an excellent choice.
Which ever way you go, it’s a great escape from the City of Edinburgh.
#adventure #hiking #running #trails #pentlands #edinburghescape #escapethefringe #getoutside #fun #run #walk #outsideisfree #freefringe #hills #beauty
Why am I running 100km?
Well, it’ll actually be around 105km by the time I’m complete. The simple answer to this is because I want to. I’ve never ran this distance before in any shape or form. My longest distance ran was 85km Glasgow to Edinburgh and the next distance down from that was 72km on Cape Wrath Ultra. So 105km is quite a step up!
I’m nervous and excited in equal measure. I don’t know how I’ll fare which is all part of the fun. My training has been limited but if Cape Wrath has taught me anything, it is that I can do an awful lot and endure an awful lot more than I think.
The challenge is one of our own making. A colleague mentioned he’d like to run home from work, and home is in Berwickshire, work is Edinburgh. He’d also like to run 100km. The arbitrary finish line of his house seemed too close to England to me and so my suggestion of running the extra 16miles to England was agreed to.
The route was fairly simple, and as the rough map shows, the border is 100km away and we’d finish in Berwick Upon Tweed 5km further down the coast.
Planning started and a date set to be around midsummer to maximise light and minimise running in the dark.
Training has been hit and miss, after my run scotland effort I hadn’t ran long and still really haven’t. But if rest is preparation then I’ve done bucket loads of that.
A few weeks before the date I was due to go on leave, work was particularly busy and low and behold a cold developed. I returned from the warmer climate of the Mediterranean with a runny nose and a chesty cough.
As this was our own challenge, we delayed the start by two weeks. No pressure of an immovable race day was lovely. Making our own rules and our own challenges means flexibility.
So it comes to race week, I’ve managed to cut travelling with work to only one day this week so I can be as rested as I can be come Friday.
The plan:
Leave work at 5pm, head to the coast and follow until Longniddry using off-road paths and promenade. Head inland to Haddington on a disused railway path where we will pick up the course of the River Tyne to East Linton and Belhaven and onto Dunbar... continued on GlennTait.co.uk link in bio
I love random. I love poetry. I love trails. AND I am an English teacher so I say rock on and good job!!
Cheers mate 🙂