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History

Pre-history

The first recorded mountain ascent in Scotland is often thought to date from 1590, when "Mad" Colin Campbell of Glenlyon climbed Stuc `an Lochain. But long before that, running across the hills was the only way to spread an urgent message.

Michael Brander [1] has traced the history:

"In the wild and mountainous highlands, where no roads existed, and peat bogs, boulders and scree were likely to slow down or cripple even the most sure-footed horse, by far the quickest means of communication was a man running across country. The "Crann-tara" or fiery cross was the age-old method of raising the clansmen in time of need. It was made of two pieces of wood fastened together in the shape of a cross, traditionally with one end alight and the other end soaked in blood. Runners were dispatched to all points of the compass and as they ran they shouted the war cry of the clan and the place and time to assemble."

The clan chieftains began to arrange races amongst the clansmen to find the fastest man to carry the Crann-tara. The story of the first Braemar gathering [2], is also the story of the first recorded hill-race in Scotland. Malcolm Canmore (1057-1093) held this first gathering at Braemar. The race was from Braemar to the top of Craig Choinich and back. Honour was at stake, but also a prize of a purse of gold and a fine sword:

"All the challengers set off led by the favourites, the two elder Macgregor brothers, but at the last moment the third and youngest Macgregor brother joined the back of the field. The youngest brother caught his elder brothers at the top of the hill and asked 'Will ye share the prize?' The reply came back 'Each man for himself!'. As they raced back down the hill he edged into second place and then dashed past his eldest brother. But as he passed, his eldest brother despairingly grabbed him by his kilt. But slipping out of his kilt, the younger brother still managed to win, if lacking his kilt!"

Perhaps that is why kilts are no longer (normally) worn in today’s hill races!!

For a wealth of English Fell Running history, see Bill Smith’s remarkable work [3] which includes an account of the attempts by Lancashire County Police to stamp out nude fell racing on Whitworth Moor in the (presumably hot) summer of 1824. Attempts to revive this custom in Scotland have been thwarted by midges, wind and rain.

SHRA formation

The Scottish Hill Runners Association (SHRA) was conceived in the back of a car after a road race in Glasgow in January 1983 by the founding members (Roger Boswell, Colin Donnelly, Dick Wall and Robin Morris) all of whom are still to this day much involved in our sport.

The first formal meeting took place following the Carnethy Five Hill Race at Penicuik in February 1983 and Mel Edwards of Aberdeen was elected as chairperson and Robin Morris as secretary.

The main aims were to organise a worthwhile Scottish championship and to produce a Scottish calendar (Robin Morris still has copies of every one). Robin won the first men's championship and this was sponsored by Tiso, the Great Outdoor Specialist. The championship was based on 15 A-category races selected from the 25 listed in the first calendar. Prior to completion of that season's championship, the SHR received a letter of complaint from the Scottish Amateur Athletics Association (the SAAA – the men's governing body) which stated that we did not have the right to organise a championship or call it such!

SHRA affiliated to the SAAA and Robin Morris was elected to their General Committee the following year. Thus began our sometimes turbulent involvement with "Scottish Athletics".

Stalwarts were Dick Wall (Chair), Robin L Morris (Secretary), Andy & Ann Curtis, Peter Brooks, Keith Burns (FRA Scotland Representative), Roger Blamire, Andy Spenceley (Treasurer) and Tony Stapeley (Accounts). In 1986 the membership was 160, and subs were £1.

1986 was the second year of the World Mountain Running Trophy. Held in Italy, our guys were Jack Maitland, Mike Lindsay, Dermot McGonigle, Ross Hope and Colin Donnelly. Personal invitations were sent by Robin Morris to a worthy, select band of hill-runners to do an Arthur’s Seat hill demonstration race incorporated with the Commonwealth games at Meadowbank. Jimmy Saville competed. Dick Wall was the Chairman and he voiced his future vision as:

"My own opinion is that we have an important job in NOT doing things such as creating a bureaucracy adopting frivolous rules and any other things which might spoil a sport in which friendly competitiveness in beautiful surroundings is the general rule. It's up to us as runners to maintain this spirit."

The first Official Newsletter appeared in February 1987 (though concurrently there was an "alternative view", memorably entitled "Booze n Trouble"). Alan Farningham as secretary was the "Newsletters Man". Robin Morris was the enduring energy/secretary. There were 57 races in the calendar.

Championship contenders that year included Andy Curtis, Gifford Kerr, Peter Fettes, Christines Whalley (now Patterson) & Menhennet in the ladies, and the McKendrick boys from Irvine in the junior section.

1987 Championship results

Senior men

  1. Andy Curtis
  2. Gifford Kerr
  3. Alan Farningham
  4. Peter Marshall

Vets

  1. Bobby Shields (also 8th in overall senior championship)
  2. Peter Fettes
  3. Ian Jackson

Ladies

  1. Christine Whalley
  2. Christine Menhennet
  3. Kathy Butler
  4. Ann Curtis

Juniors

  1. J McKendrick
  2. S McKendrick
  3. T Begley

Some key results were:

  • Angus Munros - Mark Rigby 1st; also Tweedsmuir 1st; Arrochar 4th; and Meall an T Suidhe 2nd.
  • Ben Nevis - Mike Lindsay 1st.
  • Scafell Pike International - Colin Donnelly 2nd; Scottish team 3rd (Colin plus Mark Rigby and Ian Davidson).

A Mountain Navigation Weekend was held at the Muir of Inverey Hut (near Braemar) organised by Dave Peck. Gifford Kerr’s Guide to Scottish Hill Races was issued, whilst Suze Coon was researching her book, Up & Down.

1988

  • Convener - Ann Curtis
  • Secretary - Alan Farningham
  • Treasurer - Andy Spenceley
  • Representatives - Peter Brooks, Dave Peck, Robin Morris, Dermot McGonigle & Janet Darby
  • FRA representative - Mark Rigby
  • Newsletter - Pete Crane

Dermot McGonigle takes over from Mike Lindsay on promoting juniors development/involvement. The first Junior Champs were run in 1988.

The most improved athlete award went to Dermot McGonigle.

In the Arrochar Alps race, organized by Jan and Bobby Shields (a classic) the result was: 1st Billy Bland 3 hrs 7min 39secs, carrying a bum bag designed to hold a Kendal Mint Cake bar and toilet paper!

1988 Championship results

Senior men

  1. Alan Farningham
  2. Denis Bell
  3. Dermot McGonigle
  4. Davy Rodgers

Vets

  1. Pete Marshall
  2. Jimmy Shields
  3. Tom Ross

Ladies

  1. Penny Rother
  2. Tricia Calder
  3. Janet Darby
  4. Joyce Salvona

Juniors

  1. Billy Rodgers
  2. Hayden Lorimer

1989

  • Convener - Ann Curtis
  • Newsletter - Pete Crane
  • Junior Development - Matt Ogston / Tony Stapeley

1990

  • Convener - Matt Ogston
  • Secretary - Alan Farningham & Scottish FRA representative
  • Committee - Joyce Salvona, Peter Brooks, Scot Mathieson, Dermot McGonigle

This year marks makes the first attempt to get amateur-professional status issues addressed (i.e. NO distinction, amateurs not being banned from running in Scottish Games Association Highland Games (professional) events).

References

  1. Michael Brander (1992): "Essential Guide to Highland Games", Cannongate.
  2. Jamie Thin (2002): "On Hill Running". Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal, vol XXXVIII No.193.
  3. Bill Smith (1985): "Studmarks on the Summits, A History of Amateur Fell Racing: 1861-1983", SKG Publications.