Epics

The Cairngorms offer much scope for linking remote rock climbs and mountains in a continuous run, and many such expeditions have been made. In August 1960 Derek Pyper and Davie Reid combined Eagle Ridge (Lochnagar), Mitre Ridge (Beinn a'Bhuird) and Snake Ridge (Beinn Macdui) in 16 and a half hours, starting at Gelder Shiel and finishing at Derry Lodge. Malcolm McArthur and Sandy Paine subsequently added Sphinx Ridge (Braeriach) and Roberts Ridge (Sgoran Dubh Mor) in a two day trip. Summits were included in the itineraries.

With these pioneering expeditions as inspiration, Andy Nisbet and Charlie McLeod linked all 5 ridges in 13 and a half hours. This 37 mile (9000 feet of ascent) trip was undertaken on 21st June 1984. They soloed the climbs (which are all of "Severe" standard) and experienced some nasty weather on the tops, though no effort was made to take in the summits [Ref: SMCJ 1985 no.176].

Andy Nisbet & Charlie McLeod - 21 Jun 1984

Shorter and less technical trips in the same vein are possible. The triple "V.Diff." combination of Savage Slit, Cairngorm, Squareface, Beinn a'Bhuird, Hanging Dyke, and Ben Macdui, starting and finishing at the Coire Cas Carpark, at 26 miles (7,500 feet of ascent) is a recommended "marathon with a difference".

Update: Kevin Stephen 12:31:09, 5th June 2021. We still have Kev's splits to add below, but he followed Dave's sequence and drop bag points apart from doing Mither Tap before Garbet Tap and leaving the river crossing till the end.

This route was submitted to us by Dave Clark, who ran it on 28 May 2016. It's a 57-mile loop around the town of Alford in Aberdeenshire, taking in 39 hills and 12,200 ft of climbing, and Dave adds that a similar round using a slightly different route and missing out some of the hills was run the week before by his fellow Cosmics Johnathan Bellarby and Steve Helmore.

He also tells us that it's 'quite a nice round to do especially for people who may be interested in starting long rounds but are a bit apprehensive about some of the main ones on the go. The Alford round isn't on technical ground nor hard to navigate and has plenty support points making it a great taster for all hill runners, it's also within easy reach from Aberdeen airport, train station and road networks.'

See also Dave's ViewRanger track at http://my.viewranger.com/track/details/Mjg1Mzc2MA== (note that this link is slow to load).

Alford Round. 57 Miles. 39 Hills. 12,200ft Ascent

All grid references were either measured from cairn/trig point position on the day or from map using compass romer so may not be exact but are pretty close. Corse hill has a deer fence about 50+m from the top, grid ref here only goes to fence. Split times rounded up to nearest minute. Drop back/support points all on public roads. River Don crossing can be avoided but creates a bit of a detour to the nearest bridge. Walking pole recommended for crossing the river, maybe even a rope if the water is running high. Deep Heather up to Garbet Tap but there is a faint trail from there over to Mither Tap. It’s mostly trail from Mither Tap with the odd heather crossing/ forest until the heather descent from Black Hill. The descent from Coiliochbhar eventually leads to fields as does the ascent up Scar Hill. Scar Hill summit until the descent from Mill Maud can all be ran on mostly track and trail, there is a couple of fields to cross just before the drop bag/ support point before Tulloch Hill. From the summit of Red hill until the descent from White hill its mostly deep heather. From there on the round can be ran on mostly single track trail. Enjoy!

Page updated 15th February 2022

Monday 30th May 2005. After the dire weather on Jura and still being on holiday I decided to stay Sunday night with my folks in Helensburgh. Monday dawned with bright skies. I should say in this context "dawned" was after 9am. So rather than dash back to Edinburgh a decision was taken to go and enjoy the fine weather. To this end your correspondent headed to Arrochar to retrace his steps on a little run that he did in 2000 A.D. This consisted of starting and finishing at the car park at the foot of Beinn Narnain. The previous time this was done there was no chronology. Therefore, on this occasion some splits will be forthcoming along with a fuller report, possibly for the SHR Journal. The basics are that the run is up Beinn Narnain, The Cobbler/Ben Arthur and this time the scramble/climb onto the actual summit was undertaken and achieved. Then it is over to Beinn Ime on to Beinn Chorranach followed by a big descent before the haul up Ben Vane. From Ben Vane it is head for the dam at loch Sloy, cross the dam then straight up Ben Vorlich. My recollection was that it was all downhill from here back to Arrochar and so it is, almost. Well it transpired that the run back through Glen Loin was a bit more undulating than I remembered.

The weather was generally good with a couple of hail/sleet showers later in the day. According to the odometer the distance is 18.1 miles and there is 9000 feet of ascent. The time moving was 5 hrs 05 mins, and the total time was 5 hrs and 23 mins. Average movement pace was 3.6 m/hr. The extra 18mins is accounted for by my rather slow scramble onto the top of the rocks of the Cobbler/Ben Arthur and a stop in the glen between Beinn Chorranach and Ben Vane for some food. Once I work out how to get the gizmo to tell me all the information it is keeping from me I'll give some more accurate information. Certainly could be done faster in drier conditions and not stopping to admire the views. Also, anyone with better nerves than me, or who knows a quick way onto the Cobbler summit, could take a few minutes off at the Cobbler alone.

-- Ronnie Gallagher

A round of Ben Narnain, Ben Ime, Ben Vane, and Ben Vorlich from the main road. The route is 13 miles (7,500 feet of ascent) and was completed in 4 hours 29 mins in April 1985 by Brian Finlayson [Ref. MM].

Luke Arnott and his dog did a round of the Arrochar Munros (Narnain, Ime, Vane and Vorlich in that order) on Saturday 14 May 2005 starting and finishing at Arrochar in 4hrs 11mins 14secs road-to-road (splits available on request). He probably lost 5–10mins due to the heat but reckons someone good could take another 45–60 mins off it.

Luke Arnott is right that someone good could take 60 mins off his time. The current record for the round of the four Arrochar Munros is an incredible 3:07:39 by Billy Bland (set when he won the Arrochar Alps Race in 1987), but perhaps it's not completely fair to judge more recent challengers against his time when the race course (previously the toughest 'half-marathon' in the country?) gained an extra mile or so of forest track and road on its 2007 revival.

1987 Arrochar Alps Results

That said, potential challengers might also note that Billy Bland was virtually unbeatable at these long, rough mountain races and set many records that still stand, including the Bob Graham Round in 13 hours 53 minutes in 1982!

Page updated 21st February 2012

Updates: Katie Henderson 5:48:13, 18th July 2020; Caroline Marwick 5:30:30, 9 August 2020 (pending incorporation into main text below).

The classic Cairngorms outing is the round of the four original 4000ft Munros (Cairngorm, Ben Macdui, Cairn Toul, Braeriach), starting and finishing at Glenmore Lodge (25 miles/7600 feet of ascent). Eric Beard made his mark with an impressive time of 4 hours 41 mins in 1963. This record was beaten by Mel Edwards on 9th July 1979 with a time of 4 hours 34 mins. 8 secs. [Ref. CCJ no.98 1980. MM gives Beard date as 1967.]

Edwards' 22 year old record was broken by Dan Whitehead of Cosmics on 13th October 2001. Dan’s time was 4 hours 31 mins 21 secs [thanks to Dan via Ewen Rennie for this info]. Three years later Alec Keith ran a time of 4 hours 20 mins 53 secs (on his 6th attempt!) on 25th July 2004. He started at 5pm and went solo and unsupported. Previous attempts had taken longer partly due to unnecessarily including the ‘new’ Munro Sgurr an Lochain Uaine (Angel’s Peak). [Ref: pers. comm. AK.]

On 4th November 2007 an in-form Paul Raistrick swept round the circuit in a clockwise direction (contrary to previous record holders), knocking 20 minutes off the record. He set a blistering pace, and even tagged on Sgurr an Lochain Uaine for good measure – 4 hours 0 mins 16 seconds – a superb effort. The four-hour barrier had survived (just!) and did so for nearly another decade, but has gone now…

On 2nd September 2017, Ally Beaven repeated the clockwise circuit including Sgurr an Lochain Uaine in 3 hours 57 mins 52 secs [Ref: personal communication]. Ally says 'Racking my brain for things I may have got wrong. Missed summits, forgotten lifts in helicopters, but I think it's all above board...' and, joking apart, we congratulate him on his splendid new mark!

Which has now been bettered again by Finlay Wild, who ran 3 hours 52 mins 59 secs (also clockwise) on 4 August 2018 with Paul's splits for reference but not knowing exactly how much Ally had taken off his time! [Ref: Finlay's blog.]

The fastest recorded time by a woman is that of Kath Butler, who completed the outing in 6 hours 45 mins some time in the 1980s (?) [Ref: Scots Magazine 9/89, article by Suse Coon].

Page updated 12th August 2018

Update: Ally Beaven 9:00:34, 24th July 2020 (pending incorporation into main text below).

Renowned as a superb ski tour, the Cairngorm 4000ers plus Beinn a' Bhuird and Ben Avon were traversed in this fashion in April 1962 in a time of 16 hours by Adam Watson. He started at Invercauld and finished at Derry Lodge.

As a running venture, the six hills were climbed in 1985 by Dave Armitage, Phil Kammer and Mel Edwards in a round from Glenmore Lodge. The 39 mile (12,500 feet of ascent) trip took 11 hours and 39 mins.

Inverness long-distance enthusiast Alec Keith set a new record for the round on 12th September 1999 (knocking well over an hour off the 1985 time) and included the "new" Munro of Sgor an Lochain Uaine as a bonus. Alec completed a solo, unsupported round in 10 hours 18 mins 30 secs on an overcast day of drizzle turning to rain on Ben Avon. Six out of the seven tops were in the cloud [pers comm. AK]. He had made a previous attempt in 1993 (12 hours 25 mins).

Alec Keith — 12 Sep 1999

This has twice been reduced since (running in the opposite direction) to 9 hours 45 mins 50 secs in 2011 by Paul Raistrick and 9 hours 30 mins (now the fastest known time) in 2014 by Mark Harris.

Mark's summary and splits:

On 25th June [2014] at 07.58 I set off from Glenmore Lodge in a clockwise attempt on the big 6 - two of the munros for the first time - and got round in 9hrs 30 mins at 17.28. Visibility above 3000 ft was very limited but winds very light and temperature pleasant for running. The ground was relatively dry.

That means I broke Paul Raistrick's time by 15 minutes. We had the same times, more or less, to the top of Braeriach (though we had a different order and routes for doing the hills). My descent to the Lairig Ghru may have been helped by the new steps and certainly was by feeling strong enough to run out of the Lairig Ghru and over the boulders of the Chalamain gap!

Mark Harris — 25 June 2014

Paul's summary and splits:

_16th November 2011 (No Snow) :
Solo / unsupported (Did not see a single person from leaving to returning to lodge – bar ski road traffic)
Underfoot / Running Conditions: Wet to very wet underfoot on non-made paths (inspite of recent dry weather) Light icing on grass, shaded boulders and Ben Avon summit tor
Overhead Conditions: Cloud base 2500ft (last 4 of 7 tops in cloud plus Beinn a’ Bhuird on way out) (mostly viz 50-100m). Precipitation zero .
Wind: 30-40mph (Gusts 50mph) Southerly
Temp: 0° to +3° at 1200m
Start Glenmore lodge: 0703hrs (dawn and moonlight - no headtorch)
End Glenmore lodge: 1648hrs (dusk - no headtorch)
Comments: c15min time lost on Beinn a’ Bhuird due to nav error. No trips or falls.

Previous attempt.
7 tops completed in June 1999 (from Glen Slugain Hauf) in 12:30hrs_

Paul Raistrick — 16 Nov 2011

Page updated 22nd August 2014

Updates: Oli Johnson 17:13:09, 18th June 2021, and Finlay Wild 16:40:14, 24th July 2021 (pending incorporation into main text below).

Also known as the "Rigby Round", this seems like a classic 24-hour challenge to rival anything in the west. A round of the 17 Cairngorm Munros (this is the pre-1997 figure, with Sgor an Lochain Uaine now adding an 18th Munro) was recorded by Mark Rigby on 24th/25th July 1988. Starting and finishing at Cairngorm Youth Hostel, he went round in a anti-clockwise circuit with Braeriach first and Cairngorm last. The route is approximately 75 miles (19,500 feet of ascent). This was an onsight, solo, unsupported round, and Mark endured some pretty horrendous weather in the latter stages (2 hours of the night was spent sheltering from driving rain in Faindouran Bothy and Fords of Avon Refuge) [Ref. FR 12/88]. The schedule was as follows:

Mark Rigby — 24-25 July 1988

*These times are approximate.

The second completion of this route in under 24 hours was by Bob Berzins on 1st June 1999, again solo and unsupported. He took 23 hours 19 mins [Ref: SHR 8/99, FR 10/99].

The third known completion of the Rigby Round was by Phil Clark on 8th/9th July 2004. He went round the (original?) 17 Munros (with one support point) in 22 hours 4 mins [Ref: FR10/04], which was probably the quickest time recorded for another seven years though Rob Woodall also managed an impressive solo/unsupported 22 hours 56 mins (including Sgor an Lochain Uaine) on 31st May 2008. Then no sooner had word belatedly reached us [Ref: email from Stephen Pyke + FR ?/11] in July 2012 of a solo/unsupported 20 hours 49 minutes by Digby Harris of Macclesfield Harriers on 3rd August 2011 than Paul Raistrick sent us the splits for his clockwise 19 hours 33 mins 50 secs (again solo/unsupported in the spirit of Rigby's original) on 21st July 2012, quoting a distance of 72.95 miles and ascent of 6974m 'from Anquet maps' and suggesting that these splits including Sgor an Lochain Uaine ('which changes the route and order for the Western tops quite a bit') would provide a useful guide for future attempts in either direction:

Paul Raistrick — 21 July 2012

Page updated 27th March 2013

Even by the standards of a 2020 summer that kept producing both interesting new hill rounds and exciting new times for established ones, Ian Stewart's splendidly-titled 'Cairngorm Parkrun' is something a little bit different... not your normal flat(tish) 5km but a 419km journey with 20,559m of ascent round the 58 Munros of the Cairngorms National Park taking 141 hours 54 minutes to complete!

As a whole, it's far too big to describe here, but we must note that Ian settled on a point-to-point route starting with Mount Keen and finishing with Cairngorm after logically rejecting a closed loop, and ran as a fundraiser for incapacitated mountain guide and friend Dave Hollinger. For those wanting to know more, he has online articles describing both planning and running of the challenge, and it's also featured in Ally Beaven's entertaining new book Broken about the record-breaking summer of 2020.

Will it ever become a popular continuous route? We doubt it! Will some other hardcore, ultra-inclined hill runner give it a go sometime or is it destined to remain a glorious one-off? Who knows, but it's a fantastic, inspiring achievement which we quite simply have to record either way!

Page new 27th December 2020

The out and back trip over these two hills (climbing Cairngorm twice), starting and finishing at Glenmore Lodge is 18 miles (4,750 feet of ascent). Mel Edwards (paced by Dave Armitage) ran 2 hours 30 mins 53 secs on 13th September 1980. [Ref. CCJ no.99 1983].

It's not known if anyone attempted the route in the years that followed, but this time was surpassed by Paul Raistrick, who ran 2 hours 20 mins 54 secs on 19th October 2007. He ran solo and unsupported. He records that his run was in "light wind and thin cloud and dry under foot. Excellent running conditions."

The schedule was as follows:

Paul Raistrick — 19 Oct 2007

Since then, Paul (who has run Macdui many times in winter over last few years) has clocked a winter 'round' at 3 hours 9 mins 57 secs and sent us this summary and splits:

_Summary:

Solo / unsupported
Running Conditions: Excellent on rime / Slow on soft slab
Surface Conditions: 100% snow cover (3-15cm new snow / soft slab over neve / rime / base on plateau snow pack 1-2m)
Overhead Conditions: clear
Foot Penetration: <1cm (30% rime areas) c15cm (70% hard slab areas)
Wind: 10-15mph westerly / light spin drift
Temp: -6 at 900m
Start Glenmore lodge: 0745hrs
c5min time lost faffing....in firmer snow another 30mins will come off this._

Paul Raistrick — 7 Jan 2011

Page updated 13th May 2012

Update: Finlay Wild 14:42:40, 31st August 2020 (pending incorporation into main text below).

This is the classic Scottish 24-hour mountain running challenge — a round taking in the Mamores, followed by Beinn na Lap, Chno Dearg, Stob Coire Sgriodain and the Stob Coires (Easains), returning back along the Grey Corries, Aonach Beag, Aonach Mor, Carn Mor Dearg, and culminating dramatically on Ben Nevis after 56+ miles (28,000 feet of ascent). The usual (now required) start/finish is the Glen Nevis Youth Hostel, and it was first achieved by Charlie Ramsay on 8th/9th July 1978.

The record is now 16 hrs 12 mins, set on 6th July 2019 by Es Tresidder [ref. UKC Interview]. This narrowly toppled the 16 hrs 13 mins set by Jasmin Paris on 18th June 2016, which remains the women's record. Jasmin's time stood for three years as both women's and outright record, beating both Jon Ascroft's 16 hrs 59 mins from 5th July 2015 and Nicky Spinks's 19 hrs 39 mins from 31st May 2014... an astonishing achievement when only Jon Ascroft, Adrian Belton (1989) and Jez Bragg (2015) had previously gone sub-19, with Belton's 18 hrs 23 mins and the 20 hrs 24 mins of Helene Diamantides (also 1989) standing unchallenged for many years. [Refs. Carnethy Hill Running Club, FRA Forums, UKH Newflash, HS, MM, FRA Forums.]

There are now (at July 2019) 158 recorded sub-24 completions of the round, with a few runners (notably Jon Gay, Nicky Spinks and Graham Nash) logging more than one. While it is widely believed that the round is easier in a clockwise direction (starting with the Ben and the rougher terrain, finishing on the easier running of the Mamores) and the majority of completions have been done that way, it is worth noting that several fastest times including the current record have been set in the original anticlockwise direction.

Ramsay's Round is significantly harder than England's Bob Graham Round, to which it is frequently compared. The terrain is steeper and rougher, there are fewer paths, and arranging support points is more complicated.

While only sub-24-hour completions technically qualify as 'Ramsay's Rounds', some impressive winter completions in pursuit of this goal saw times tumbling over a decade, with 53 hrs 34 mins by Glyn Jones (the first) in 2002 being followed by 32 hrs 48 mins by Gary Tompsett in 2003, 29 hrs 59 mins by Shane Ohly in February 2008 and 26 hrs 57 mins by Tom Phillips [Ref: UKC report] on 11th/12th December 2012. But it was local runner Jon Gay who finally scooped the big prize [Ref: FRA forums] with his stunning 23 hrs 18 mins on 23rd/24th February 2013...

Running solo and clockwise with a single support point at the Loch Treig Dam, Jon certainly enjoyed stunning conditions (good enough to have attracted two further independent attempts the same weekend!) with good snow cover and a near-full moon. But his triumph was also richly deserved after many attempts and much groundwork over the years, and ultimately still hard-won when his was the only one of the three simultaneous attempts to complete the round. So hearty congratulations to Jon (whose report you can read on UKHillwalking and the FRA forums) for this hugely coveted achievement!

Jon's time has since been slightly bettered in conditions of much sparser snow cover by Donnie Campbell, who recorded 23 hrs 6 mins running anticlockwise on 2nd/3rd December 2016 [Ref: Facebook], and by a more significant margin by Jim Mann, who achieved 22 hrs 23 mins in the same anticlockwise direction on 21st/22nd January 2017 in conditions apparently somewhere between the two previous records [Refs: Carnethy HRC and Facebook].

On 2nd July 2018, Nicky Spinks completed a 'double Ramsay Round with a variation' in 55 hrs 56 mins 38 secs, covering all the ground twice through two long out-and-backs (first clockwise, then anticlockwise) to Stob Coire Easain in seriously hot, dry conditions. [Ref: UKC News.]

There's more information about the round and its history on Charlie Ramsay's site. See also Climber magazine 10/96 (article by Ronald Turnbull) and SHR 1/96 (report by Colin Donnelly, including schedule).

Page updated 20th July 2019

Extremely minor compared with previous entries, this is very much the little brother of the Cuillin Ridge Traverse. However, the Clach Glas/Bla-bheinn Round is good practice for the real thing, with plenty of sustained scrambling and a couple of sections involving climbing of "Difficult" standard. This is a round, as opposed to a peak to peak traverse, starting and finishing at the bridge over the Allt na Dunaiche (GR:561217), Loch Slapin. The route includes the summits of Sgurr nan Each (720m), Clach Glas (786m), and Bla-bheinn (928m), and finishes with a fast descent down the East Face tourist route of the latter (4.5 miles/3800 feet of ascent).

A time of 1 hour 31 mins 53 secs was recorded on 7th July 2013 by Finlay Wild.

Finlay Wild - 07 Jul 2013

Longer on the ground but perhaps less obviously 'glamorous' than the complete Munro round, the continuous round of the Corbetts seems to have attracted comparatively few takers before Manny Gorman's 2009 effort effectively defined the challenge. To quote Dave Hewitt (as quoted in turn on the FRA Forums, and repeated here with his permission):

I only know of one previous Corbetts-specific single-take round, that by Mike Wilson-Roberts in 1992. I corresponded a bit with Mike about this a few years ago and as I recall he wasn't trying to set any particular target time, just to trundle round them all during a summer. He started with the Brack on 3 March and ended on White Coomb 13 July, so that comes to 133 days all in.

There have been three other continuous Corbett rounds, but they have all included at least one other hill group as well and hence were much longer: Craig Caldwell (Munros+Corbetts) 1985/86, Peter Lincoln (Munros+Corbetts+Grahams) 1997/98, and a rather mysterious massive effort by Andrew Allum in 1996/97 taking in M+C+G plus Donalds and also E+W 2000ers.

Now, the full story of Manny's round (undertaken as much for the joy of it as establishing the 'time') is recounted on his engrossing Corbett Round 2009 blog, but the following summary was written especially for SHR and sent to us in June 2012:

The 2009 Corbett Round

A continuous journey over all 219 Corbetts entirely by non-motorised transport, covering a total of 2633 miles; 998 on foot with 420,673 feet of ascent, 225 miles under sail, 1410 miles by bike; achieved in 69 days and 3 hours; 5 days lost to injury and 1 lost to AC/DC live at Hampden Park!

_

Blizzards, storms, sunburnt, frozen, torrential rain, zero visibility, force 8 sailing, drifting aimlessly, thunderstorms, epic sunsets, midges, clegs, ticks, trench-foot, intestinal worms, stunning mountain wildlife, hypothermia, hypoglycaemic, tendonitis, 2 major bike crashes – one wrecked knee, one reconstructed shoulder joint, dozens of friends, one fight with a farmer, one bump in the van, beers every night, early starts and late finishes, one hell of a journey.

A fantastic sailing journey of 10 days south from An Clisham on Harris through 6 beautiful Scottish islands landing at Troon; 3 days of hell in the Borders then a 100 mile leap by bike to the West Highlands; enormous zigzags across the country from west to east, and ultimately north, taking in the most majestic and remote areas of Scotland, Ardgour, Knoydart, Assynt to name but a few. Dozens of new mountains to cross as well as many old favourites; travelled in all 4 seasons, and of course sometimes all in one day.

The logistical colossus was professionally handled almost entirely by my partner Brenda Paul, but with an invaluable blog-site managed by Chris Upson and priceless support along the way by dozens of other Westies club mates, family & friends and even some wonderful complete strangers.

A truly memorable Scottish adventure, with a cruel violent final twist to the story when Brenda seriously injured herself in a bike crash, missing the final day to Ben Loyal.

_

The Corbett Round was about the journey and all the people who shared in it, rather than setting a record which was a nice bonus.

So congratulations to Manny and co. for that, and perhaps others might be inspired to take up the challenge now we have that documented (and very impressive) 'sub-70' benchmark? To which Manny would just like to add '50 days is possible and I'd love to help you, whoever you are...'

Page new 20th June 2012 and last updated 21st June 2012

Traditionally a winter challenge (snow down to Loch Enoch), the 27 mile (7500 foa) route links Cairnsmore of Carsphairn, Corserine, Merrick, and Shalloch on Minnoch, starting from the Water of Ken and finishing at Stinchar Bridge. This was first achieved by Colin Brash and Ronald Turnbull in February 1995 (8 hours 2 mins). Paul McClintock and Glyn Jones subsequently reduced the record to 7 hours 42 mins on 24th February 1996.

Glyn describes the final descent from the snows of Shalloch on Minnoch: "On their left, horizontal snow was blowing from tattered clouds; on their right Lochs Macaterick and Riecawr emerged from the mist to stare with dour eyes from the brown and green land" [Ref: SHR 1/97].

Then, on 16th February 2001, Colin Butler and Duggie Gillespie further reduced the record to 7 hours and 5 mins [Ref: FR 6/01].

The obvious (and much talked about) extension of the Greater Traverse to include the western Red Cuillin (the 'Much Greater' Cuillin Traverse) is a particularly alluring challenge. It is uncertain exactly when this extension (including Marsco, the Deargs and Glamaig as the extra peaks) was first completed. In mountains like these - which have been attracting mountaineers since the sport began - surely someone would have taken up the challenge before the 1980s? All excursions below describe rounds, i.e. timings start/finish at a base in the glen.

Possibly first was Clive Rowland who went round solo (unsupported) in 31 hours on July 21/22 1981 in what he describes as an "unrecorded fun day" [Ref: TGO 3/00]. The first sub-24 hour expedition was soon to follow: In the ‘early 1980s’ Eifon Jones and Rob David started from Sligachan and went round clockwise to Bla-bheinn, round the Bad Step, and along the Main Ridge (including T-D Gap and Sgurr Alasdair; excluding Sgurr Sgumain and Sgurrs Beag/Uamha) back to Sligachan to finish just inside the one-day mark. They were unsupported and carried a rope for the abseils [Thanks to Paddy Buckley and Rob Woodall for this information]. Ten years later Calum Smith completed a solo and unsupported round on 30th - 31st July 1991 in a 34 hour trip from Sligachan which included a bivi on Sgurr na Banachdich [Ref: RW, FR 10/99]. The fastest round I can find recorded which includes most of the major peaks of the Black and Red Cuillin is by Mark Shaw on 21st July 2002. He started at Camasunary and went round clockwise in 16 hrs 46mins. [www.lochaberac.co.uk\].

The first to complete a Super-Extended Greater Traverse (and in under 24 hours!) was Rob Woodall. The route taken included Glamaig, the Deargs, Marsco (2 tops), Belig, Garbh Bheinn, Sgurr nan Each (2 tops), Clach Glas (2 tops), Bla-bheinn (2 tops), Sgurr Hain, Sgurr na Stri, and all the Munros and Tops of the main Cuillin Ridge, plus many others including Sgurr Beag and Sgurr na h-Uamha: 59 tops in all (33 miles/23,150 feet of ascent). All tops 50 feet re-ascent. The round was completed on 31st May 1999 in a time of 23 hours 28 minutes (1 am start, paced/supported). The round is probably best tackled clockwise from the Coruisk Hut, but logistical problems meant that this trip started in Glen Sligachan. [Refs: Scotsman 19/6/99, FR 6/99, FR 10/99] The following year Yiannis Tridimas (who had been one of the efficient entourage who supported Rob in 1999) repeated the feat, and added an extra peak (Sgurr a'Bhasteir) in an impressive time of 21 hours 22 mins. The successful run (again paced/supported) took place on 14th/15th June 2000 with a midday start from the Coruisk Hut. Presumably Yiannis was also imbibing liberal quantities of Mummery's Blood (see Cuillin Greater Traverse page)...

Mark Shaw - 21 July 2002

Yiannis Tridimas - 15 Jun 2000

A rather unnatural extension to the Cuillin Ridge Traverse which involves dropping virtually to sea level (70m) in Glen Sligachan and adding the extra peaks of Clach Glas (786m), and Bla-bheinn (928m). This challenge was first met in June 1939 when Ian Charleson and W.E.Forde completed the route in cold and wintry conditions in 20 hours. They prepared carefully, spending a week on recce and laying down food caches, and pitching tents under Gars-bheinn and Sgurr na h-Uamha. Most impressively, they carried a full-size alarm clock round the entire route! A month later a group from the Wayfarers Club completed the traverse, and in August Bill Murray and R.G. Donaldson went round in 19 hours, a record which was to stand for 5 years. Those two were fortified by the infamous Mummery's Blood, a concoction consisting of equal parts Navy Rum and Bovril, guaranteed to "lower angles, shorten distances, and improve weather". This "mountain elixir" seems to have fallen out of favour with modern day endurance athletes who now prefer staminade, maxim, or some other such bland powder which doesn't have quite the same romantic style.

In August 1944 Sydney Thomson from the Yorkshire Ramblers completed the traverse (end to end) in 11 hours 40 mins, leaving Glen Brittle at 4:50 am (12 miles/13,200 feet of ascent). His schedule is detailed below [Refs. BH, WHM]:

Sydney Thomson — Aug 1944

The record for female completions of the Cuillin Greater Traverse is extremely sketchy. It is rumoured that Anne Littlejohn was the first on 20th July 1956 doing 23 hours 45 mins [Ref: LSCCJ April 1959, thanks to Dave Hewitt pers comm. for info.]. Winky O'Neal went round in about 12 hours, excluding Garbh Bheinn [Pers. comm. Rob Woodall].

The exact route of the Cuillin Greater Traverse has never been formally established, and we had no 'official' fastest time recorded (except that above) until recently. Sub-12-hour peak-to-peak traverses must be not uncommon — Mike Lates achieved 11 hours 15 mins in September 1993 including Garbh Bheinn (12 miles/14,700 feet of ascent) 'in leather scarpa boots, dodging TD & Naismiths' [Ref: GS and personal communication]. But the fastest floor-to-floor (and peak-to-peak) traverse we've heard of is that achieved on 15th June 2015 by Johannes Felter and Tim Gomersall, taking 11 hours 50 mins road-to-road and 9 hours 24 mins peak-to-peak. Which now sets a pretty clear marker since they included 'everything' — Sgurr Dubh Mor, TD Gap, King's Chimney and Naismith's Route, plus Garbh-bheinn on the re-climb out of Glen Sligachan [Ref: personal communication from Johannes Felter]:

Johannes Felter & Tim Gomersall — 15th June 2015

Gars-bheinn to Gillean (Sgurr Dubh Mor, TD Gap, King's Chimney, Naismith's) 05:00:24

Gars-bheinn to Bla Bheinn 09:24:22

Page updated 27th July 2015

Update: Kelli Roberts 5:56:46, August 2020 (pending incorporation into main text below).

It has often been said that the Cuillin Ridge on Skye is the finest mountaineering expedition in the country. At 8 miles and 7,000 feet of ascent (NB end-to-end stats) it doesn't sound very long, but most of the route is exposed and serious scrambling, and there are a number of sections involving rock climbing of up to Severe standard. The first traverse was achieved by two great Cuillin pioneers, L.G. Shadbolt and A.C. McLaren, in 1911 in 12 hours 20 mins: a respectable time even today. The most notable summer times in subsequent years are tabulated below, with the fastest currently being Finlay Wild's 2 hours 59 mins 22 secs of 12th October 2013.

Please note that the summer record route is now well established following the 'Hyslop rules', which specify a time from Gars-bheinn to Sgurr nan Gillean taking in all 11 Munros plus Sgurr Thearlaich, the tops of Bidein Druim nan Ramh and the four main climbing sections: TD Gap, King's Chimney, the Inaccessible Pinnacle of Sgurr Dearg (up the long East Ridge and down the short West) and Naismith's Route on the Basteir Tooth. For proposed winter requirements with the winter record still more in its infancy, please see below.

Cuillin Ridge Times

Notes: Early traverses did not include Sgurr Dubh Mor. There is some debate about the exact year of Eric Beard's record run (1963 or 1967). Paddy Buckley believes 1963 is the correct date (he provided the split times recorded above) [Refs. BH, MM, Climber magazine 5/95, Rockfax mini guide, www.rockfax.com\].

Prior to his latest sub-three-hour run, Finlay Wild also had a fast (very) 'near miss' to his name, having run 3:10:30 the week before his 3:14:58 record before belatedly realising he'd narrowly bypassed the summit cairn of Sgurr Mhic Choinnich! [Ref: Finlay Wild.]

Winter traverse

Since the first (two-day) winter traverses of Patey/MacInnes/Crabb/Robertson and Tiso/Moriarty in 1965 followed not just half a century later than the pioneering summer traverse but after Eric Beard's reduction of the summer record to not much over four hours, we clearly don't have the same history of winter records, with the first formally listed here being Finlay Wild and Tim Gomersall's 6 hours 14 mins 17 secs traverse of Sunday 14th February 2016. (While we can't be 100% certain this was a record because we'd never recorded one before, we've treated it as one because the chances of a faster unreported time seem negligible.) In keeping with standard winter practice (best balance of abseils vs. obstacles), Wild and Gomersall traversed north-to-south from Sgurr nan Gillean to Gars-bheinn [Ref: Finlay Wild's blog].

On Monday 26th February 2018 (the same day Finlay Wild set a new winter Tranter's Round time), Uisdean Hawthorn traversed the Cuillin ridge from Sgurr nan Gillean to Gars-bheinn in just 4 hours 57 minutes 7 secs [Refs: Facebook, UKC and personal communication]. Uisdean's traverse took in all Munros, Bidein Druim nan Ramh and Sgurr Thearlaich, but omitted the TD Gap as he was climbing solo. Since there is good precedent for the omission of the Gap in winter dating back to Tiso and Moriarty in 1965, and other 'required' summer sections (Naismith's Route and King's Chimney) are bypassed by abseiling on a north-to-south winter traverse, it seems sensible to propose that the required elements of a winter record traverse are simply the required summer peaks and proper winter conditions (the question of acceptable date range possibly remaining open with available daylight not being the issue it is with, for example, Ramsay's Round). So we acknowledge Uisdean's stunning time as the fastest known and challenge others to better it following the same guidelines.

Page updated 27th February 2018

This is a superb and very rough 70 mile (18,500 feet of ascent) expedition across the Carsphairn and Galloway hill ranges, peak to peak, from Blackcraig Hill to Knee of Cairnsmore (Fleet). Paced by a goodly assortment of Donald aficionados, Glyn Jones beat the 24-hour barrier in mid May 1998 with a time of 23 hours 45 mins [Ref. FR 6/98]. The route takes in 36 Donald hills; thus this is presumably the 24-hour Donald record (though not a circular route). For those wishing to indulge in a 24-hour Donald-bagging frenzy, the Moffat and Ettrick groups also offer 36 tops to go for in a much more compact group with easier terrain than the Galloway tussocks...and with the possibility of extension into the Manor Hills.

The Donalds are the 2000ft hills in Scotland which lie to the south of the Highland Boundary Fault. There are 127 of these (as of 1997) in the Southern Uplands, plus 9 Ochils and 4 hills above Glen Artney which sneak into the list via a geological loophole. Ronald Turnbull ran the lot in May 1995, adding the English Cheviot "Donalds" as well just to be on the safe side. The statistics are impressive:

Ronald covered 450 miles (97,000 ft) in 9 days 14:25.04. His daily average was 43 miles (9700 ft) and 14 hours 22 mins. After 8,600 minutes of running he finished on Cairnsmore of Fleet 25 mins ahead of his schedule [Ref: SHR 1/96].

Run by Ian Stewart as the first day of his multi-day 'Cairngorm Parkrun', this 14-Munro linear route is the matching companion to Giles Trussell's 2014 West Mounth Round, also finishing at Glen Shee but coming in slightly shorter at 86km with 4,058m of ascent. Ian ran it solo, supported with a van stop for food etc. in Glen Clova, in 17 hours 30 minutes on 10th July 2020, but modestly states that he 'was obviously on a pretty conservative pace, given it was day 1 of 6, so there are definitely a few hours to be shaved off this by someone...'

Ian Stewart — 10th July 2020

See also Ian's account within his Cairngorm Parkrun report.

Page new 26th August 2023

This circuit first reported to us in the form given here by Digby Harris after he ran it on 1st/2nd September 2017 looks like a nice 24-hour challenge of lower mileage but tougher terrain than the established Ramsay and Rigby Rounds. Starting and finishing at the Coleitir road end in Glen Etive, it takes in 16 Munros including the south side of Glen Coe and complete Black Mount, and shares much ground with John Fleetwood's longer, more inclusive, 30-hour round of June 2005. Digby's own detailed account is available here at SHR as an MS Word document, but can be briefly summarised as 45.5 miles with 24,900ft of ascent completed in 23 hours 20 minutes and visiting the following peaks:

• Beinn Fhionnlaidh
• Sgor na h-Ulaidh
• Bidean nam Bian
• Stob Coire Sgreamhach
• Stob Dubh
• Stob Coire Raineach
• Stob na Broige
• Stob Dearg
• Creise
• Meall a' Bhuiridh
• Stob Ghabhar
• Meall nan Eun
• Stob Coir' an Albannaich
• Glas Bheinn Mhor
• Beinn nan Aighenan
• Ben Starav

Those considering running it or simply interested are recommended to read Digby's entertaining full account.

On 7th/8th July 2019, Jon Gay and Majka Kunicka ran this Etive Round in 22 hours, 15 minutes [ref. Scottish Running Guide].

Page updated 20th July 2019

Sent to us by Ben Smith-Price, whose 7 hours 14 minutes on 1st May 2022 is the first running time we've recorded for the Fannichs, this is a linear route taking in the Munros and Munro Tops of the range.

Ben said the route is c.38km with c.2,800m ascent depending on lines taken, and specified end points of the gate by the lay-by off the A832 (NH 16251 76067, his start) and the Torrandhu bridge (NH 27836 74188, his finish), with either direction possible. For his west-to-east run, the logical order of peaks is as follows:

• A' Chailleach
• Toman Còinnich
• Sgùrr Breac
• Sgùrr nan Each
• Sgùrr nan Clach Geala
• Meall a' Chrasgaidh
• Càrn na Crìche
• Sgùrr Mòr
• Beinn Liath Mhòr Fannaich
• Meall nam Peithirean
• Meall Gorm
• Meall Gorm SE Top*
• An Coileachan

* Ben's not 100% certain that he did Meall Gorm SE Top, but we're including it because he did at least all the others and probably this one (which will cost seconds rather than minutes) too, and all the Munro Tops are on the natural circuit without requiring deviations/doglegs to collect. He also said that:

'Beinn Liath Mhòr Fannaich [full Munro] is the only unavoidable there and back, the others can be avoided with some good lines. The whole traverse is on really nice runnable terrain and the only section that's a pain is the final descent [which could of course be ascent in the reverse direction] off An Coileachan down to Torrandhu bridge.'

Page new 23rd August 2023

Longer, less obvious and probably harder going than the Glen Coe Munros and Tops, Keri Wallace's Glen Coe Corbetts Round traces a satisfyingly shapely line almost encircling that central core of higher hills. With much steep, pathless and relatively unfrequented terrain, it links the six Glen Coe Corbetts in approximately 59km of rough running with over 5,000m of ascent and a high point of the Munro Top of Stob Coire Lèith where trying to stay lower would simply be self-defeating!

Taking her cue from 2020's Covid-19 restrictions and the need for quiet, local routes, Keri completed her round solo and anticlockwise in 15 hours 30 minutes on 9th July 2020 with a start/finish point at Signal Rock car park. The table of split times she sent us is reproduced below:

Keri Wallace — 9 June 2020

For a full account with map and photos, please see Keri's blog on Ellis Brigham's site, where she aptly describes it as 'a truly wild and strenuous Scottish hill running adventure.' So hopefully others with similarly adventurous tastes will take up her recommendation to give it a go!

Page new 27th December 2020

This splendid concept — a 75-mile 'skyline' round of Loch Lomond with c.9,000m ascent — was devised by Luke Arnott, tested on multiple partial attempts, and finally run complete not once but twice by him in spring 2019: firstly solo with food drops in 38 hrs 47 mins on 22–23 April and then supported in 34 hrs 24 mins on 19–20 May. With a mileage comparable to the Rigby Round and height gain exceeding that of Ramsay's Round, it's clearly a significant undertaking, but Luke has also been modest enough to suggest that 'it will definitely go sub 24 hr.' [Ref: MS Word account here at SHR.] Like Ramsay's Round it includes a substantial 'valley section' (in this case c.15 miles on road round the south end of the Loch), but plotting the route on a map shows it to be otherwise both surprisingly pure and impressively inclusive, with conscientious detours made for the Cobbler and some of the Luss hills off the most direct line, not to mention leaving the road late on for Duncryne (aka the Dumpling)!

Luke ran anticlockwise, starting and finishing at the Tom Weir statue at Balmaha, and saving the road section for last. While he mentions the possibility of further dogleg additions to his 29 listed summits, his choices were all logically made through familiarity with the ground and the visible 'skyline' aesthetic, and we welcome his route as a major new addition to our collection:

1. Conic Hill 358
2. Conic Hill 361
3. Gualann 461
4. Stob a' Choin Duibh
5. Beinn Bhreac (trig/cairn)
6. Binnean nan Gobhar 586
7. Beinn Uird 597
8. Ben Lomond 974
9. Cruinn a' Bheinn 632
10. Cruachan 536
11. Stob an Fhàinne 655
12. Beinn a' Choin 770
13. Stob nan Eighrach 613
14. Ben Vorlich 943
15. Ben Vane 916
16. Ben Ime 1011
17. The Cobbler 884
18. Ben Narnain 926
19. Ben Reoch 632
20. Beinn Bhreac 681
21. Beinn Dubh (Mid Hill) 657
22. Pt 701
23. Doune Hill 734
24. Beinn Eich 703
25. Cruach an t-Sìthein 684
26. Beinn a' Mhanaich 709
27. Beinn Chaorach 713
28. Pt 693
29. Duncryne 142

For a more detailed description of the route, please see Luke's report linked above.

Page new 8 October 2019

While the 'Lochaber Traverse' taking in the Grey Corries, Aonachs, Càrn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis has always been a significant constituent part of both Tranter's and Ramsay's Rounds as well as a popular big hill day in its own right, for some reason it's taken till 2020 to get it listed as a separate route in this section of the SHR site. The inspiration for finally doing so comes partly from Finlay Wild's page at Go Mountain Goats and partly from an inescapable feeling that it's overdue here!

Since Finlay's already done the work in defining an FKT route and listing the best times so far, we're not about to reinvent the wheel here, so here's what he suggests and we're now endorsing:

Start at the statue of the Wee Minister on the Corriechoille track, finish by touching the bridge by Glen Nevis Youth Hostel and stick to Ben Nevis Race rules regarding the 'grassy bank' on the final descent.

Required summits:

1. Stob Choire Claurigh (Munro)
2. Stob Coire an Laoigh (Munro)
3. Stob Coire Easain (Munro Top)
4. Sgùrr Choinnich Mòr (Munro)
5. Sgùrr Choinnich Beag (Munro Top)
6. Aonach Beag (Munro)
7. Aonach Mòr (Munro)
8. Càrn Mòr Dearg (Munro)
9. Ben Nevis (Munro)

Note that the list of required summits differs from Tranter's and Ramsay's Rounds in omitting the Munro Stob Bàn (perhaps a somewhat awkward diversion from the northerly start) and including the subsidiary tops of Stob Coire Easain and Sgùrr Choinnich Beag (which seem aesthetically welcome).

Finlay lists the route as 25.5km with 2,500m of ascent. Perhaps not surprisingly, his own inaugural male time of 3:32:25 (hrs:mins:sec) set on 30th June 2020 has not yet been bettered. The female FKT has already dropped from 7:05:23 (Suzy Devey, 8th June 2020) and 5:44:12 (Sarah MacDonald, 19th July 2020) to 5:33:29 by Georgia Tindley on 15th August 2020. But Finlay also appears to be listing top-10 times, so you can still get on his page even if you can't challenge the very best!

Page new 27th December 2020

Devised and run by Robin Downie as a fundraiser for the Martin Moran Foundation, this heavyweight new round of Munros and Corbetts on Martin's NW home ground weighs in at 86km distance and 8,890m ascent over typically rougher ground than most of the established 24-hour challenges. It was first completed by Robin in an impressive 20 hours 51 minutes on 5th August 2022.

While the original start/finish point of Torridon village and clockwise direction may well be optimum, the only actual requirement is to visit the following peaks and return to your starting point:

• Tom na Gruagaich 922m (Beinn Alligin)
• Sgurr Mòr 986m (Beinn Alligin)
• Baosbheinn 875m
• Beinn an Eòin 855m
• Beinn Dearg 914m
• Mullach an Rathain 1,023m (Liathach)
• Spidean a' Choire Leith 1,055m (Liathach)
• Ruadh-stac Mòr 1,040m (Beinn Eighe)
• Spidean Coire nan Clach 993m (Beinn Eighe)
• Beinn Liath Mhòr 926m
• Sgorr Ruadh 962m
• Fuar Tholl 907m
• An Ruadh Stac 892m
• Maol Chean-dearg 933m
• Beinn Damh 903m

For further details, please see Dan Bailey's UKC report and the text of Peter Barr's article for Lochcarron community magazine An Carranach hosted here at SHR.

Note also that perennial long-distance rounds man John Fleetwood had independently planned and done a slightly shorter but still impressive 'Greater Torridon Round' of 72km and 7,270m ascent incorporating more graded scrambles the previous year and has written about it for UKC.

Page new 26th August 2023

Update: Finlay Wild 7:40:26, 6th August 2020 (pending incorporation into main text below).

The Mullardoch Round is the circuit of the 12 Munros surrounding Loch Mullardoch, north of Glen Affric. It's a magnificent natural route, with some great ridge running in a remote setting, and it includes an ascent of the highest peak north of the Great Glen (Carn Eighe).

The round starts (and finishes) at the dam at the east end of Loch Mullardoch and takes in the 4 northern Munros (Carn nan Gobhar, Sgurr na Lapaich, An Riabhachan, An Socach), crosses the glen to Mullach na Dheiragain and Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan, then finishes along the Affric ridge (An Socach, Mam Sodhail, Beinn Fhionnlaidh, Carn Eighe, Tom a' Choinich, Toll Creagach): 35 miles, 15,000 feet of ascent. There is a map and description on Steven Fallon's site.

The fastest known Mullardoch Round is Donnie Campbell's clockwise and unsupported 9 hrs 52 mins 18 secs on 12th July 2019 [ref: personal communication]. Previously Andy Fallas and Helen Bonsor had recorded 10 hrs 7 mins on 16th July 2018 running clockwise together but carrying their own individual kit [ref: email from Helen] to better Alec Keith's solo 10 hrs 24 mins of 20th May 2001.

The Mullardoch Round has been completed in winter by John Fleetwood on 2-3 February 2007. He extended the route to include a number of extra Munro tops and Corbetts (including Aonach Buidhe and Faochaig above Iron Lodge). His anticlockwise solo (unsupported) outing took 26 hrs 8 mins and was calculated at 48 miles and 6130 metres of ascent. Details of this, and John's other long distance winter hill expeditions, can be found on John's site.

Page updated 18th September 2019

Updates: Alexander Chepelin 32 Munros, August 2020, Kim Collison 33 Munros, July 2021, and Jasmin Paris 29 Munros, July 2021 (all Cairngorms/Glen Shee, pending incorporation into main text below).

The rules of this game are simply to climb as many Munros as possible, and return to your start point, within 24 hours.

In 1978, Charlie Ramsay completed a circuit of 23 or 24 Munros (note changing status of Sgor an Iubhair) around Glen Nevis in a time of 23 hours 58 minutes. This has become established as the eponymous Ramsay's Round.

On 25th/26th June 1988, Jon Broxap completed a route of 28 Munros around Glen Shiel and Affric, starting and finishing near the Cluanie Inn.

On 1st/2nd June 1991, Adrian Belton also completed a route of 28 Munros by extending Ramsay's Round in the Lochaber hills towards Ben Alder.

However, continuing revisions to Munro's Tables by the Scottish Mountaineering Club have since muddied the waters. The 1981 edition had promoted Sgor an Iubhair in the Mamores to full Munro status, but in 1997 the SMC had a change of heart and demoted the hill back to a Munro top. The 1997 edition also decided that Sgurr na Carnach (one of the Five Sisters of Kintail) was worthy of full Munro status. These 1997 revisions to Munro's Tables affected the 28-Munro rounds by Broxap and Belton, essentially now making Broxap's round 29 and reducing Belton's to 27.

On 21st June 2008, Stephen Pyke (Spyke) set out to break the Broxap record on a planned 31-Munro route, however bad weather forced the attempt to be abandoned after 21 Munros.

Jim Mann's round of 30 Munros in 22hrs 5mins — 7th/8th July 2017

On 7th/8th July 2017, Jim Mann set a new record of 30 Munros on a hitherto overlooked route starting/finishing at Invercauld Bridge near Braemar and taking in the White Mounth, both sides of Glen Shee and a substantial core of the Cairngorms. An inspired choice, covering significantly more ground (88.6 miles) but less ascent than the 'traditional' Western alternatives, and completed faster than any of them in an impressive 22 hours 5 minutes. A true runner's round!

We hope to get some more details on conditions, support team, choice of area etc. from Jim soon, but can tell you now that the 30 Munros visited were:

1. Cac Carn Beag (Lochnagar)
2. Carn a' Choire Bhoidheach
3. Carn an t-Sagairt Mòr
4. Cairn Bannoch
5. Broad Cairn
6. Tolmount
7. Tom Buidhe
8. Carn an Tuirc
9. Cairn of Claise
10. Glas Maol
11. Creag Leacach
12. Carn Aosda
13. The Cairnwell
14. Carn a' Gheòidh
15. An Socach
16. Glas Tulaichean
17. Carn an Righ
18. Beinn Iutharn Mhòr
19. Carn Bhac
20. Beinn Bhrotain
21. Monadh Mòr
22. Sgor an Lochain Uaine
23. Cairn Toul
24. Bod an Deamhain (aka The Devil's Point)
25. Carn a' Mhaim
26. Ben Macdui
27. Derry Cairngorm
28. Beinn Mheadhoin
29. Beinn a' Chaorainn
30. Beinn Bhreac

[Refs: Facebook, Strava]

Jon Broxap's round of 28 Munros in 23hrs 20mins — 25th/26th June 1988

Jon Broxap held the record for 29 years with his incredible 78-mile (33,000 feet of ascent) effort on 25th/26th June 1988, completed in 23 hours 20 minutes. The 28 (29) Munros climbed were:

1. Creag a' Mhaim
2. Druim Shionnach
3. Aonach air Chrith
4. Maol Chinn-dearg
5. Sgurr an Doire Leathain
6. Sgurr an Lochain
7. Creag nan Damh
8. Sgurr na Sgine
9. The Saddle
10. Sgurr Fhuaran
11. (Sgurr na Carnach)
12. Sgurr na Ciste Dubh
13. Saileag
14. Sgurr a' Bhealaich Dheirg
15. Aonach Mheadhoin
16. Ciste Dubh
17. Beinn Fhada
18. A' Ghlas-bheinn
19. Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan
20. An Socach
21. Mullach na Dheirgain
22. Beinn Fhionnlaidh
23. Carn Eighe
24. Mam Sodhail
25. Mullach Fraoch-choire
26. A' Chralaig
27. Sail Chaorainn
28. Sgurr nan Conbhairean
29. Carn Ghluasaid

[Refs: HS, MM, FR 10/97]

Adrian Belton's round of 28 Munros in 23hrs 57mins — 1st/2nd June 1991

Setting off from Fersit Dam at 9am in glorious sunshine they crossed the Easains, the Grey Corries, the Aonachs, Carn Mor Dearg, Ben Nevis and the Mamores in a little over 13hrs (21 Munros). Lots of water, food, sun cream and tons of encouragement from his team of pacers ensured he reached this far.

The real challenge lay ahead now in the shape of the night time section. They ran down to Loch Ossian Youth Hostel from Sgurr Elide Mor in worsening conditions and with some injuries picked up on route.

Beyond the two Loch Ossian Munros the weather became abysmal and Adrian admitted that were it not for his team he would have given up. The idea of adding Carn Dearg (above Culra Bothy) was abandoned but his team coaxed him over Cnoc Dearg and Stob Coire Sgriodain and back to Fersit Dam in just under 24hrs.

The Adrian Belton route added five extra Munros to the Ramsay Round — the two south of Loch Ossian, plus three NW of Ben Alder — but missed out Beinn na Lap.

24-hour Munro Record Attempts

Page updated 10th July 2017

Updates: Donnie Campbell 31 days 23 hours 2 minutes, 1st August to 2nd September 2020 and Jamie Aarons 31 days 10 hours 27 minutes, 26th May to 26th June 2023 (pending incorporation into main text below).

The ultimate long Scottish hill-run? Done quite a few times in various styles since Hamish Brown's pioneering (walking/cycling) 112-day effort of 1974, for which he estimated 1,639 miles with 449,000 ft of ascent. While Martin Moran's equally significant 83-day first winter round of 1984–85 was motor-assisted (with Moran's book stating that 'the target was unattainable on a continuous journey, and would necessitate the major tactical concession of using motor transport between the peaks'), Steve Perry's startling winter round by foot of 2005–6 has subsequently raised the bar for future winter attempts. The current (summer) record time is held by Stephen Pyke at 39 days, 9 hours and 6 minutes. Details of some significant rounds are tabulated below, with 'significance' of both summer and winter rounds defined largely by improvements in time and/or style but sometimes the inclusion of further summits:

Munro Traversal Times

The last few entries epitomise the extremes of inclusivity and brevity which have been reached since Hamish's walk in the mid-70s. Peter Lincoln took 359 days to walk round all the Munros, Corbetts, and Grahams. He finished on Morrone on 2nd July 1998.

Charlie Campbell of Westerlands Cross Country Club set his record of 48 days, 12 hours for the 284 Munros in the summer of 2000, and even more impressively, swam the two major kyles between Mull and Skye rather than using a boat! Starting on Mull on the 29th May he almost immediately picked up an injury and was 3 days behind his schedule after the first week. But he pulled through and reached the end on Ben Hope almost 3 days inside the previous record on 16th July. This was a rigorously planned venture and Charlie relied on the support of his family (in Motor Home) in addition to Club members. Final statistics: 2.33 miles swimming, 764 miles cycling, 893 miles running, and 411,717 feet of ascent. [SHR 7/00, FR 10/00, TAC#47]

While Stephen Pyke (who also started with Ben More and finished on Ben Hope) made use of a kayak, his round was still completely self-propelled by foot, bike and paddling, and took an astonishing nine days off Campbell's time to set a record that seems likely to stand for some time. It is documented in some detail at http://munros2010.blogspot.com/.

Page updated 16th August 2013

Updates: Stuart Paterson 9:35:00, 18th July 2020, and Lewis Taylor 8:38:02, 15th October 2020 (pending incorporation into main text below).

This is a 40-mile round of the Ochils taking in the 35 named peaks above 500m put together by Jack Bloodworth and run by him in 11 hrs 47 mins on 11th August 2018 [ref: personal communication].

While Jack's round came about through time lost to injury leading him to downscale from planned attempts on Tranter's Round and more, it has resulted in an attractively accessible 'baby' or 'warm up' round (to quote his own modest adjectives for a hefty excursion!) as well as a clearly worthwhile '12-hour' challenge in its own right. He started and finished at Alva, with his full list of summits and times given in the second of two blog pieces we'd recommend others wishing to try it to read:

Ochils 500 Round Part 1 – The background and lead up
The Ochils 500 Round Part 2 – The attempt

(Jack's articles also cover his rationale for the round, kit list, full report and some suggested criteria for recording completions.)

Page new 18th September 2019

What lies beyond the 'Pentland Skyline' and what should be included in a longer round of the Pentland Hills? According to Jonny Muir, who put together such a round then ran it on 2nd July 2020, the criteria for inclusion are 'literal prominence and figurative prominence'. Jonny's route, starting and finishing at Swanston and based on Tumps with exclusions and further inclusions for aesthetics and logic, forms a 51-mile loop with c.4,000m ascent and took him 12 hours 32 minutes. He lists the following 42 carefully-considered summits along with East Cairn Hill's east and west tops, which he ran but didn't number:

1. Allermuir
2. Capelaw
3. Harbour Hill
4. Bell's Hill
5. Black Hill
6. Hare Hill
7. Cock Rig
8. Wether Law
9. East Cairn Hill
10. West Cairn Hill
11. Muckle Knock
12. Byrehope Mount
13. King's Seat
14. Catstone
15. Fadden
16. Craigengar
17. Mealowther
18. Henshaw Hill
19. White Craig
20. Darlees Rig
21. Bleak Law
22. Mid Hill
23. Dunsyre Hill
24. Mendick Hill
25. Mount Maw
26. Carlops Hill
27. Grain Heads
28. The Mount
29. Patie's Hill
30. Spittal Hill
31. Green Law
32. Cap Law
33. Braid Law
34. West Kip
35. East Kip
36. South Black Hill
37. Scald Law
38. Carnethy Hill
39. Turnhouse Hill
40. Castlelaw
41. Fala Knowe
42. Caerketton

For further details including criteria for hill choice and a report of his actual run, please see Jonny's blog on Round of the Pentland Hills: conceiving, planning, doing.

Page new 27th December 2020

Update: Finlay Wild 8:27:53, 1st June 2024, ref. UKH report, where Dan Bailey also asks Finlay some interesting questions about the round and gets some very interesting answers.

Updates: Finlay Wild 9:00:05, 17th July 2020, and 8:52:53, 27th July 2022; Jack Kuenzle 8:38:23, 28th July 2022; Jill Stephen 12:23:22, 21st August 2022; Andy Berry 13:45:18 winter, 28th January 2023 (all pending incorporation into main text below, see UKC reports for 2022 Wild/Kuenzle and 2023 Berry runs).

The original 24-hour concept, now superseded by Charlie Ramsay's Round, but a magnificent and natural expedition none-the-less. The 36-mile (20,600 feet of ascent) route takes in the Mamores plus the Grey Corries, Aonachs and Ben Nevis, and was first achieved by Philip Tranter in June 1964.

Please note that the original visiting order for the central transition from Mamores to Grey Corries was Binnein Mor, Binnein Beag and finally Sgurr Eilde Mor before the Grey Corries Stob Ban, and we would prefer to see this order (or its clockwise counterpart of Stob Ban, Sgurr Eilde Mor, Binnein Beag and Binnein Mor) retained. While we're not currently rejecting completions with Binnein Beag and Sgurr Eilde Mor reversed, we encourage repeaters to follow Tranter's order.

The fastest known time is currently 10 hours 15 mins and 30 secs, set solo, unsupported and anticlockwise by Finlay Wild on 1st October 2016 [Ref: Finlay's blog]. A stunning effort taking 76 minutes off Mark Harris's partially-supported anticlockwise 11 hours 31 mins of 15th July 2015 [Ref: SHR News] and, as acknowledged by Finlay in taking up the challenge, clearly suggesting sub-10 to be possible! Previous (pre-Harris) recorded bests were the solo/unsupported runs of 12 hours 17 mins clockwise by Stephen Pyke on 3rd June 2012 [Ref: SP] and Mark McDermott's long-standing 1990 anticlockwise record of 12 hours 50 mins [Ref: MM].

The ladies record now stands at 12 hours 25 mins, recorded in mixed conditions on 14th July 2017 by Helen Bonsor running with Andy Fallas [Ref: Carnethy HRC report]. This beat Jasmin Paris's three-year-old mark of 12 hours 41 mins from 26th July 2014 by 16 minutes, with Jasmin having taken nearly two and a half hours off Nicky Spinks's 15 hours 10 mins of 29th July 2011 and Nicky 47 minutes off Dawn Scott's 15 hours 57 mins set eleven years earlier. All four runners travelled in the original anticlockwise direction.

The coveted and much attempted 24-hour winter round finally succumbed to a magnificent effort by Dan Gay, Jon Gay and Paul Manson on 1st February 2009, with this redoubtable trio achieving the remarkable time of 18 hours 59 mins 6 secs in truly cold and 'white' conditions. This has subsequently been reduced to 14 hours 24 mins 48 secs by Finlay Wild's solo anticlockwise run of 26 February 2018, which took advantage of the same stunning winter spell that saw Uisdean Hawthorn's Cuillin traverse that very day and Helen Rennard's pioneering ladies' time (see below) the previous week. [Refs: Finlay's Instagram and UKClimbing Finlay Wild & Helen Rennard Winter Tranter Double Bill.]

On 22nd February 2018, Helen Rennard became the first woman to complete a winter Tranter's round, recording 23 hours 29 mins 7 secs anticlockwise in proper winter conditions and mostly solo with support towards the end from Kevin Woods. [Refs: Facebook, UKClimbing report and personal communication.]

We'd also previously noted a 15 hours 45 mins clockwise completion in wintry conditions on 15th March 2016 by Mark Harris and Adam Harris, accompanied part way by Jon Gay and Al Anthony [Ref: personal communication from Mark Harris]. A cracking effort which couldn't supplant Dan, Jon and Paul's winter record through falling outwith the core, limited daylight, 'winter' months of December, January and February, but certainly foreshadowed Finlay's 2018 run in terms of where times could go with appropriate ground conditions.

Some noteworthy earlier winter completions outside 24 hours are also briefly summarised here:

• Nick Carter, 29 hours 23 mins, unsupported, 13th/14th January 2001.
• Glyn Jones, 29 hours 49 mins, solo/unsupported, 13th/14th January 2001 [Ref: FR 6/01].
• John Fleetwood, 26 hours 40 mins, 18th/19th December 2002 — the quickest known previous winter Tranter Round. His anticlockwise solo/unsupported effort was in cold and icy conditions, but with little snow — a good effort, admirably close to the winter solstice [Ref: FR 6/03].

Page updated 31st July 2022

Reaching my Peak – Donnie Campbell

Scottish Hill Runners – Q & A

A winter round of summits in the Highlands, where the objective is to finish in under 24 hours, isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But for Donnie Campbell, endurance running is a way of life. Setting a new record for the Winter Ramsay Round, Donnie finished in 23 hours and 6 minutes, covering the 24 summits despite suffering from Morton’s Neuroma and severe nausea. We spoke to Donnie to hear more about the round in his story “Reaching my Peak”, and to understand more about the techniques he uses for endurance running.

You grew up in Scotland where there is lots of access to the outdoors. Did you come from a very active background? Were your family into the outdoors and motivating you to pursue a sport?

Yeah, I grew up in the Isle of Skye, so I am used to a bit of weather as well! Growing up, my main sport was Shinty, it was not really until I was 17 that I became more interested in outdoor sports as I was preparing to join the marines. Skye was an ideal playground for preparing for Marine training. My parents were into Shinty hence why that was always going to be my first sport - my dad coached our primary school team and he played himself when he was younger so yeah, they had an influence in my sporting aspirations.

When did you first get into running? At what stage did you decide to take it to the ‘next level’?

I properly got into running in 2008/2009. I started running more after University to lose some weight and get fit again so I could get back into playing Shinty to a high standard - I had represented Scotland at under 18 level before joining the Royal Marines. It was when I was getting fit a friend suggested a 150-mile race over 5 days on Isle of Islay and Jura in 2009. I agreed to it, loved the race and the training for it and finished 4th. That was my first step into ultra/mountain/trail running. I never got back to playing Shinty as trail/mountain running became my passion.

Do you remember the race where something clicked, where you knew you had a real talent in this area? And what triggered that migration into real endurance running?

Finishing 4th in my first race in 2009 made me realise I had the potential to improve and get more competitive. But I also realised I had so much to learn. It was not really until 2012 that I started preforming consistently and winning competitive races. I have always been curious about how far I can push myself so it has just been a logical progression for me to keep pushing my limits of endurance.

Let’s talk about the Ramsay Round. An incredible achievement! Can you talk us through the challenge a little bit?

The Ramsay Round is a 24-hour challenge, taking in 24 mountains and covering 98 kilometres. It requires 8,500 metres of climbing - the equivalent of ascending Mount Everest from sea level. It had taken me 17 hours to climb over 7,000 metres and I was able to take a moment of reflection on top of the 18th Munro. I was incredibly nauseous and the vomiting had ensured that my stomach was empty. My legs were heavy due to the snowy conditions underfoot and I was suffering from Morton’s Neuroma (a type of inflammation of the nerves) which was making every step feel like someone stabbing the ball of my foot with a roasting hot iron. I still had six Munros left to climb. At that point, I did wonder how I’d ended up in that situation!

But I knew if I wanted to win, I had to push myself and it would be the toughest push of my life. I hurtled down, trying to stay on my feet through the ice. It was time to completely empty the tank and hold nothing back. I splashed full speed into River Nevis and seconds later I was lying crumpled on the finish line tarmac. I’d given it everything I had – and I’d broken the record.

Clearly the physical toll this run takes on your body is immense. How can you cope and carry on running during these times of huge physical strain?

Mental strength, toughness and experience. If you have a high level of motivation to succeed you will normally find a way to keep moving. Sometimes it involves a real battle with your mind but if you know how to control your mind then you can normally make the right decision and keep going. A book I find really helpful in winning that battle is “The Chimp Paradox” by Dr Steve Peters who has worked with Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton.

On that point, the psychology of endurance is clearly something that interests you. What do you find most interesting about it?

How incredibly complex the subject is. I am really interested in how far we as humans can push ourselves to achieve incredible feats of endurance or survival. Just look at some of the early exploration to the south pole with Shackleton and the feats of human endurance/survival is incredible. I read a lot of literature about the psychology of endurance in order to understand where my limits lie and how I can push them or get close to them.

Why do you think some people have the desire to undertake punishing endurance exercises like you do? Do you think it’s something that everyone has in them, or is it a certain type of person who would do it?

That’s a really hard question. Everyone is individual so everyone will have their own reasons for doing what they do or not. People who tend to do well in endurance sports are highly motivated individuals who seem to have a high level of enjoyment for the endurance sports they partake in. I think there are several core values for endurance athletes though, and they are very similar to those of a Marine (probably why I fell into endurance racing after the Marines). Those values are determination, courage, unselfishness and cheerfulness in the face of adversity and are all intrinsically linked to endurance performance.

What would you say is the most challenging race you’ve done and what got you through it? How do you keep positive and keep going when you haven’t got anything left?

The most destroyed I have been at the end of a race was Transvulcania Ultra Marathon in 2014. It’s not the toughest or longest race I have completed, it is about 74km with 4000m of climbing. The year I ran it they made an error about distance between aid stations so I ran past one aid station thinking the next one was only 5km up the trail when it turned out to be about 14km, by which point I ran out of fluid in +30C and was severely dehydrated by the time I got to the aid station. I can remember just taking all my gels at that stage just to get some fluids in! I filled up my water bottle at the aid station and kept going but it was too late and I was never going to properly recover. I ended up staggering the last 30km to the finish line where I collapsed and got rushed off to the first aid tent. I was put on a drip and given some drug to stop my body cramping, which was happening uncontrollably. What got me to the finish? Probably my determination, will to succeed and refusal to quit! I’m very competitive by nature and am curious as to how far I can push myself physically and mentally, so that has always been a key motivating factor for me.

Considering your experience as both an endurance athlete and a running coach, what would be your advice for any budding athletes out there?

As I said before, everyone is an individual so will have different motivations for wanting to complete a race. As a coach I try and find out what their motivation is and then encourage them in that and get them to buy into their training which will also help increase their motivation. But it’s also important that people get out there, have fun and enjoy the experience. So many memories can be created during these times!

To read more about Donnie’s experience in the Ramsay Round and his strategies for endurance racing, click here.

The Ring of Fire, as described on gofar, is a 24-hour, 45-mile/13,000ft round of the Galloway hills devised by Andy Priestman, first achieved by Glyn Jones in c.22 hours in 1990 and reduced to 14 hours 44 minutes again by Glyn six years later. It takes in 30 summits including 21 Donalds, and tops out at 2,766ft on the Merrick.

The fastest known time is 14 hours 6 minutes by Jonny Muir on 14th July 2018, as described briefly in a Carnethy HRC news report and more fully in Jonny's blog.

Page new 12th August 2018

Update: Luke Taylor and Francisco Javier Cabrera Valdes, 11:41:08, 23rd April 2022 (pending incorporation into main text below).

This is the most northerly round to be documented so far, a 37 mile (15,400 feet of ascent) circuit of seven summits in the wilds of Assynt. Starting and finishing in Elphin, the route includes (in this order) Cul Mor, Cul Beag, Beinn Mor Coigach, Sgurr an Fhidleir, Stac Pollaidh, Suilven, and Canisp. The culprit was Alec Keith in a time of 13 hours and 12 mins on 30th August 1998 [pers comm. AK].

Update: Finlay Wild 6:35:35, 13th October 2020 (pending incorporation into main text below).

While the fastest time recorded for the 19-mile/12,750ft round of five pre-1997 Munros from the Clachaig Inn was a still-impressive 7 hrs 5 mins by Bobby Shields on 31st May 1980 [Ref. MM], the addition of the three 'new' Munros of Stob Coire Sgreamhach, Stob Coire Raineach and Stob na Broige to the 'old' ones of Bidean nam Bian, Stob Dubh, Stob Dearg, Meall Dearg and Sgorr nam Fiannaidh has complicated matters somewhat since then. So, given the unavoidable nature of the two Aonach Eagach tops and convenient position of the two Buachaille Etive Mor tops en route from Stob na Broige to Stob Dearg, perhaps the logical response is that taken by Peter Duggan of Lochaber AC on 11th June 2006 with 'an unambiguous circuit linking every 3,000ft top and the same extended Aonach Eagach from the Devil's Staircase that Bobby Shields later told me he'd also taken in preference to the road from Altnafeadh to Allt-na-reigh', which, as described in his account of the run, is still remarkably close to 'a pure, circular tour'. His full route, starting and finishing at the Clachaig, adding an estimated 2,400ft of ascent to the Shields round without being all that much further over the ground, and completed (after backtracking from one major mistake!) in hot weather in 10 hrs 55 mins 31 secs, took in An t-Sron, Stob Coire nam Beith, Bidean nam Bian, Stob Coire nam Lochan, Stob Coire Sgreamhach, both tops of Beinn Fhada, Stob Coire Raineach, Stob Dubh, Stob na Broige, Stob Coire Altruim, Stob na Doire and Stob Dearg before crossing the road at Altnafeadh to return by Stob Mhic Mhartuin, Sron a' Choire Odhair-bhig, Spot height 903 (A' Chailleach?), Sron Gharbh, Am Bodach, Meall Dearg, Stob Coire Leith and Sgorr nam Fiannaidh.

On 14th June 2013, Peter's route was repeated by Dan and Jon Gay in 10 hrs 2 mins 41 secs, with the traverse of Bidean again hampered by cloud before clearing, some problematic squalls in windy conditions, and Jon describing it as 'hard, hard stuff' [Ref. personal communication]. But sub-10 or sub-9 rounds look eminently achievable in good conditions, with faster yet (sub-8 or even 7?) clearly possible from the times now being recorded for the slightly divergent Glen Coe Skyline race course, and 12 hours still an appropriate 'Tranter-style' benchmark for those seeking a more modest challenge.

Since the advent of the Glen Coe Skyline race in 2015 has created another new route with its own records currently somewhat eclipsing ours, we list the key differences between that and a complete round here:

• The Glen Coe Skyline is a race run on a set day of the year whereas you can run a round whenever you like.
• The race now starts and finishes in Kinlochleven whereas a round could logically start/finish at Clachaig or Altnafeadh (and should take in both).
• The race runs clockwise and includes Curved Ridge, but omits Stob Coire Altruim, Stob na Broige, Stob Coire Raineach, Stob Dubh and the Munro tops of Beinn Fhada.
• The complete round might reasonably be taken in either direction. While it was first recorded anticlockwise, clockwise would be as good or better because the Aonach Eagach runs well west-to-east and you'd get the tops of Beinn Fhada in ascent rather than descent. (There's also nothing to stop you including the ascent of Curved Ridge in a clockwise round, but we're not proposing a separate record for that!)

Page updated 8th June 2024

The route starts at Glen Nevis YH and takes in Ben Nevis, Carn Mor Dearg, Aonach Mor (3999 ft - included in case of OS-induced orogenic upheavals), and Aonach Beag before heading east to the Cairngorms for Braeriach, Cairn Toul, Ben Macdui and Cairngorm. The finish is Glen More YH after 83 miles (17,000 feet of ascent). While one might expect the promotion of Sgor an Lochain Uaine (4150 ft) to full Munro status in 1997 to affect record attempts in this domain, Stephen Pyke's 2007 time (see below) suggests that it doesn't have to.

Achieved as a multi-day trip in the 1950s by the Rucksack Club, the 24-hour barrier was broken by Chris Dodd in 1980 (he and his support runner Howard Artiss also took in Sgor an Lochain Uaine). [Refs. MM, HS]. The record is currently held by Stephen Pyke of Staffordshire Moorlands (2007), though he differed from Martin Stone's previous record in that Martin ran it solo, whereas Stephen had company (and confirms that he climbed all nine Munros including Sgor an Lochain Uaine).

4000ers on Foot

Page updated 15th July 2012

The use of pedal power between the two main hill groups significantly eases the physical difficulty and makes this expedition comfortably achievable in a day. The route is from hostel to hostel, as above, and the distances are 61 miles on the bike and 32 miles (13,400 feet of ascent) on foot.

Up until 1996 the fastest known completion was by Mark Seddon in 12 hours 59 mins. This time was subsequently bettered by Mark Hartell on 28th August 1998. He travelled west to east (with a single person backup) and finished at Glenmore YH in 12 hours 35 mins. [Ref. FR 10/98]

The route was attempted east to west in August 1999 by Alec Keith. He started at the Cairngorm car-park and utilised a pre-placed mountain bike in Glen Einich. Unfortunately, unanticipated headwinds on the cycle leg slowed things down and this section took 1/2 hour longer than expected. Total time to Achintee was 13 hours 45 mins (East group: 4:20, Road cycle: 4:30, West group: 4:55).

The summer of 2000 saw two more attempts, neither of which bettered Mark Hartell's time. On 29th July Paul McClintock and Duggie Gillespie managed a time of about 13 hours 20 mins, and on 3rd September John Coyle came very close with a time of 12 hours 41 mins. Both these efforts took place west-to-east, and both involved possible route choice errors between Braeriach and Ben Macdui. It would seem that with the right combination of tailwind for the cycle leg and optimum route across the Lairig Ghru, the tempting prospect of a sub-12 hour traverse could well be a possibility [Ref: SHR 1/01]

Subsequent to the above note, Jim Davies won the first organized race over this route in a time of 11 hours 35 mins 59 secs [Ref: FR 10/01]

The trip was accomplished in winter conditions by Mike Cudahy on 20th March 1997 starting from Derry Lodge. Summit to summit time was 22 hours 53 mins, full completion 29 hours 27 mins. [Ref. FR10/97]

This long distance footpath runs from Cockburnspath on the East Coast to Portpatrick on the West, and is 212 miles (341km) in length.

The official challenge is to run it in this direction as a five-person relay, splitting the route between the team in any way you want. The only other rules are that the team must run together for the first and last quarter mile of the journey, and each team member must be accompanied by another responsible adult if running in the dark. The record for this challenge is held by Carnethy HRC (John Coyle, Jamie Thin, Adam Ward, Garry MacInnes and Mark Johnston), who did it in 1996 in a time of 27 hrs 39 mins. At the same time Carnethy also set the ladies record of 35 hrs 51 mins, with a team of Nicki Innes, Angela Mudge, Anne Nimmo, Kay Dodson and Hilary Spenceley. There's a report here

More information on the SUW is here

The brainchild of Carnethy HRC's John Hammond, who planned it and then ran it over 30th May to 4th June 2016, the addition of Ben Lawers to the nine four-thousanders and requirement to complete a full loop rather than point-to-point to make a round of Scotland's 10 highest peaks significantly increases the challenge, with a hefty total distance of 377km and ascent of 10,057m covered in an actual running time of 52 hours 13 minutes spread over those dates. While we're aware of this 'Top 10' having been done before in a day as a linear route with driving between peaks (and therefore ineligible for these pages), we believe this to be the first time they've been linked into one continuous run.

You can read John's preliminary account at http://carnethy.com/2016/06/highest-10-round-30516-to-4616/ and hopefully we'll get some more information up here too sometime in case anyone wants to challenge his total time of 5 days 5 hours 56 minute 47 seconds!

Page new 22nd July 2016

Update (Moran route): Finlay Wild, 5:43:24, 26th March 2022 (pending incorporation into main text below).

Torridon offers a magnificent area of wild and extremely rough country in which to run, with the added attraction of being more remote than some other parts of Scotland - and hence perhaps less busy. There are no restrictions due to deerstalking activities. Three outings (all with different itineraries) have been recorded. No formal records here - just good long days out on the hill.

On his home patch, Martin Moran took in Beinn Eighe, Liathach, and Beinn Alligin (including The Horns) in a traverse from Cairn Shiel cottage (Kinlochewe) to Coire Mhic Nobuil carpark in 6 hours 55 mins. on 27th October 1985. The route is 20 miles (12,500 feet of ascent) and all Munros and Tops were climbed except for Liathach's Am Fasarinen and Northern Pinnacles.

In a round from the Coire Dubh carpark, Paul Potter made a similar trip to Martin's with the addition of Beinn Dearg (Time: less than 10 hours, date unknown).

Lawrence Sullivan and Wendy Dodds completed a mammoth 40 mile (20,000 feet of ascent) circuit on 27th May 1998. Starting and finishing at the Coire Mhic Nobuil carpark, and supported by Lawrence's wife Jane, the pair climbed Beinn Alligin, Beinn Dearg, Liathach, Beinn Eighe, Meall a'Ghuibhais, Beinn a'Chearcaill, Beinn an Eoin, and finally Baosbheinn, in a time of 19 hours 16 mins. [Refs. MM, FR 2/99]

Updates: Finlay Wild 4:49:58, 8th July 2020; Finlay Wild 4:38:25, 16th August 2023; Holly Page 6:03:48, 6th September 2020 (pending incorporation into main text below).

While the original text of this page was mysteriously lost sometime prior to 31st August 2014 when your Long-Distance editor discovered it missing, memory had the fastest known time for a Mamores round as belonging to Colin Donnelly. So, with word reaching us of Finlay Wild's significantly faster time of 8th April 2017 and a subsequent opportunity to verify the details of Colin's round, we could be fairly confident that we'd got things back as they should be for male runners at least. For what we now have (June 2020) on female times, please see further down.

From old Lochaber Athletic Club Newsletters, Noel Williams has unearthed the following list of times:

• 17th July 1978 Boswell & McConnachie 9 hours 15 minutes
• 25th May 1980 Shields, McConnachie & Boswell 8 hours 4 minutes
• 2nd July 1980 Donnelly 7 hours 2 minutes
• 14th March 1981 Boswell & [Roger] Wild 7 hours 9 minutes (McConnachie 7 hours 32 minutes, Bolton 7 hours 34 minutes)

While these are not necessarily all FKTs or outright records, there looks to be a strong competitive element there with top local runners and visitors clearly attacking times they knew about. What we can be certain of from Colin Donnelly's extended LAC Newsletter account of his 1980 run is that his schedule 'was based on a previous run by some Lochaber runners over the Mamore Munros (in slightly over eight hours)', i.e. the recent Shields, McConnachie & Boswell run, he ran from Achriabhach (the Lower Falls), included all Munro Tops as well as full Munros (an aesthetically logical thing to do for a Mamores round), started with sub-8-hours in mind, but set himself the new target of sub-7 late on and finished just outside that after a 56-minute dash from the summit of Binnein Beag back to Achriabhach.

So, despite a clear attempt by a strong team to better it the following year, Colin's 7 hours 2 minutes remained the gold standard (unless anyone can tell us otherwise?) for nearly 37 years till Finlay Wild's off-the-scale 5 hours 18 minutes 38 seconds of 8th April 2017 (Ref: Finlay's blog account). Interesting that Fin states 'Previously I'd clocked in at just over 7hrs' (effectively the Donnelly time) 'so was fairly sure I could get it under that.' Also that he ran clockwise (as opposed to Colin's anticlockwise) to get 'the long runnable section done on fresh legs', taking c. 1 hour 12 minutes up to Binnein Beag compared to Colin's 56 minutes down from it. While he didn't take in all subsidiary Tops (Munros and Sgor an Iubhair are what he's specified), that shouldn't make much difference to time with Sgor Eilde Beag the only 'outlier' you'd be likely to skip.

Without wanting to lay down the law on required route, it seems sensible to regard the required peaks as the 10 Munros + Sgor an Iubhair also required for Tranter's and Ramsay's Rounds, with Achriabhach being the logical start/finish point used by both Donnelly and Wild, and direction (clockwise or anticlockwise) the runner's choice. If you do choose to take in all Tops (as Donnelly did) and run faster, we'll record that too!

Now, this next bit used to read 'If anyone can add to the story, and especially help us establish a female FKT, please let us know!' But we've now heard from local runners Keri Wallace and Sarah MacDonald, who've benefitted from proximity to these hills as Covid-19 restrictions start to be relaxed in chasing first the challenge and then each other with Keri recording 9 hours 15 minutes on 18th June 2020 and Sarah knocking 75 minutes off this two days later to record 7 hours 59 minutes 58 seconds on 20th June. Both ran solo and clockwise starting early in the morning on warm, dry days. (Refs: personal communication and Sarah's Strava.) And, while we can't categorically define Sarah's time as a record any more than Finlay's, we can point out that it's faster than the very able 1980 men's time of Shields, McConnachie & Boswell, congratulate both her and Keri on two impressive efforts, and suggest that's what the ladies should now be chasing. Just please wait for further relaxations of travel/access restrictions if you don't live in the area.

Page updated 23rd June 2020

Update: Laurence Piercy 23:14, 3rd/4th June 2022 (same peaks, direction and start/finish point).

This fine-looking round of (mostly) Munros encircling Tyndrum was put together by Peter Davies, who ran most of his planned peaks in 23 hours 41 minutes over 17th/18th July 2020. It links the Munros of the Tyndrum, Crianlarich and Bridge of Orchy groups via the western Mamlorn peaks, with two Corbetts and a Graham also included to bridge the gap SW of his start/finish point on the A82. It comprises four distinct legs with intervening road crossings providing alternative start/finish points, facilitating support etc., and could be run in either direction.

Peter's anticlockwise run started at lunchtime on the first day with just a recce in mind and continued mostly solo with a friend providing road support before joining him for the final Bridge of Orchy group, on which they decided to omit three of the planned peaks to keep the finish sub-24. As run, he says it's 96.7km with c.8,500m ascent, and thinks including the three missed peaks would add about another 10km and 1,500m ascent. Since he suggests an informal 24-hour challenge trying either to improve his time for what he completed or include the three Munros he had to leave out to hit the time himself, we've added these to a table of his times to show both options:

Peter Davies – 17th/18th July 2020

Page new 26th August 2023 and updated 27th August 2023

Taking in the 15 Munros of the SMC's 'West Mounth' area, this point-to-point route from Loch Moraig near Blair Atholl to Glenshee Ski Centre submitted to us by Giles Trussell looks broadly comparable to a Ramsay or Rigby Round in covering 95.5km (59.3 miles) with 5,695m (18,684ft) of ascent and taking in some lonely ground.

While Giles's choice of Blair Atholl as start point was dictated by logistical reasons on the 'day' (22 hrs 19 mins over 17th/18th June 2013), he's helpfully told us there would be less height gain involved in the opposite direction. And, appearing happy to finish at all after a tiring, windy night on the remote 'Ring of Tarf' and rainy morning working back eastwards to the Glen Ey peaks, he's also suggested that it might go considerably quicker (did you really say '15 hours', Giles?). But a fine achievement in any time, done on-sight, solo and without meeting another soul for 21 hours from shortly after his 5pm start to approaching Glen Shee the following afternoon!

Now how about a matching round of the 14 'East Mounth' Munros on the other side of the A93, with Mayar, Driesh and Mount Keen looking like the 'awkward' ticks there? [Edit: Done 10th July 2020 by Ian Stewart to start his six-day 'Cairngorm Parkrun'.]

Giles Trussell — 17/18 June 2013

Page new 31st August 2014