Luss Lollipop

2nd go at this tough medium hill race with over 3000' of ascent in 7 miles. Familiar hills as I run here every few weeks. Lollipop shaped route with 2 climbs up Beinn Dubh, the second one a tough 1000' in less than half a mile. 10am start and cloud cover evaporated as we set off  up Beinn Dubh, run the first half then walk / run the second, running again round to Mid Hill and the steep drop into Glen Striddle, should have sat in the stream here before the climb back to the top of Beinn Dubh, good fun on the descent back to Luss.

  

Moray Coastal Trail

On holiday at Silver Sands, an out and back run along the Moray Coastal trail from Covesea to the Dinosaur Footprints at Hopeman. Beach for the first and last mile 5 miles of undulating clifftop trails in between. 

Dinosaur Footprints

 

Ben Rinnes

Another go at the 5 Tops Hill race from Dufftown Highland Games. The 5 tops are Little Conval, Meikle Conval, then Ben Rinnes, returning over the Convals. A lap of the games field to start and finish. About 80 runners. Race started at mid day, and the temperature climbed as we ran. A mixture of run and walk over the Convals, Slow jog up Rinnes then a fast walk as the trail steepens towards the top, Going well until just before Rinnes summit then the wheels come off and in to survival mode, just pleased to finish the race probably lost 15 or 20 minutes on the way back.

Hammer Run

 Run over The Cobbler and Narnain via the walkers paths, It's called the Hammer run as the Strava trace is shaped like a claw hammer (or ice axe in winter!). Steady run through the 2 sets of zig zags, gradient eases as you come out the trees along past the Narnain Boulders to Bealach a'Mhaim, pointed a few walkers in the right direction for the Cobbler, limited views today in the mist. Cobbler first then Narnain, returned to Succoth past the Boulders and zig zags.

Narnain from Bealach a'Mhaim

Narnain's Trig point

Clach Thoull loop

Port Appin for a few days, short trail run round the Clach Thoul loop. 

Arrochar run

Another run over The Cobbler and Narnain, different ascent and descent from last week, avoiding most of the walkers, went up the Cobbler via An t Sron. Steep climb to start then a runnable ascent along the ridge with a short steep climb to the top of The Cobbler to finish. Followed the walkers paths down into Bealach a'Mhaim and up to Narnains flat top. Descent off Narnain through the Spearhead, more walkers than usual coming up here today.

The Brack from An t Sron

Eyes of the Needle

The Cobbler from Narnain

The Cobbler and Narnain

Too nice a day not to run up a hill. Stuck to the trails in Arrochar, through 2 sets of zig zags then undulating up past the Narnain Boulders. Brisk walk up the back stairs to the Cobbler plateau and central top, easy run back to Bealach a'Mhaim, another briskish walk to the top of Narnain, easy running back to Succoth. Nice and peaceful at that time on a Friday, maybe saw 10 or 12 others instead of the usual 100.

Ben Lomond

Ben Donich, left, Beinn an Lochain, right from The Cobbler

The Brack from The Cobbler 

Ime and Vane from The Cobbler

 

  

Ben Bowie

Club trail race from Upper Stoneymollan Road to Ben Bowie and back. 5 Set off up the initial climb on a warm evening, gradually spreading out as the trail flattens after the gate, went from 2nd to 4th place between there and Ben Bowie, gained one place on the way back.

Ben Lomond

From the most easterly Munro to the most Southerly, hadn't been to Ben Lomond since Dec 2019. Overcast and showery as expected for an Arrochar Alps race weekend. Arrived before 9 to a busy car park, The lower paths have been much improved for walkers over the last few years, smooth hardcore paths with steps and drains built in to minimise erosion, think I preferred it just a little rougher. Lots of walkers out today and a couple of other runners. Kept a slow, steady jog all the way up, the sun almost came out once. Cold wind towards the top, a visit to the trig then set off back down, steadier pace today, only stopping once for a picture as I dropped below the clouds.

Glen Tanar and Mount Keen

Found myself in Glen Tanar on a Saturday evening with a few hours spare. Worked out Mount Keen, the most easterly Munro was a few miles up the glen via a forest track. Cycled up through pine forest then the heather clad glen beside the Water of Tanar, Uphill all the way but never too steep, the surface smooth enough for my hybrid bike. Left the bike as the trial steepens for the last couple of miles to Keens rocky summit, took a few minutes at the summit trig point to take in the views before a cool breeze sent me back down. Easy cycle back down the glen, freewheeling most of the way.

Friday Fruin Fun

Short long run this week, Glen Fruin Loop, Auchengaich Hill, Beinn Tharsuin, Beinn Chaorach, across the glen returning via The Strone. More blue skies and gentle breezes. Took it easy up Auchengaichs steep sides. Managed to run over Tharsuin to Chaorach then followed the fenceline down to the Fruin/Luss watershed, short trudge on to the Strone for the run back to the road.

Fruin reservoir from Auchngaich ascent

Tharsuins cairn to Chaorach

Chaorach towards the Arrochar Alps

Outward route from the Strone

Fairy Glen

Short Club race in Balloch Park, 3 * 1 mile laps round Fairy Glen, only 5 there tonight, first lap ok, slowed a bit on the 2nd lap and 3rd lap looking for recovery which wasn't there.  

Narnain and the Cobbler the quiet way

Shorter long run this week, weather perfect, blue skies , a bit of cloud and a gentle cool breeze. Avoided the zig zags out of Succoth, straight up Narnain, usually this is fairly quiet, not so today, gave me plenty of people to chase and pass. A few people between Narnain and The Cobbler, the Cobbler summit busy as usual. Peace at last descending the An t Sron ridge before the mile or so of forest track back to Succoth.

The Brack from Narnain

Ben Vane from Narnain

The Cobbler, Ime & Narnain from An t Sron

Clach Thoull

Weekend in Port Appin, got out for a short run, the Clach Thoul Loop, with an out and back of the cliff path.

View from cliff top down Loch Linnhe towards Mull, Lismore to the right

Fungii

 

Stoneymollan

Club hill race for the Alex Robertson Trophy, 8 of us set off in reverse order, half a mile of tar to start then trail before a couple of miles across the moors, the last mile, trail and tar. Tried to keep a steady effort, varying pace with gradient and ground. Gradually caught all but one of the the runners in front and managed to avoid getting caught by the one behind. All but the winner slower than last year, good to be racing again.

Arrochar Hills

Longer run this week, Glen Loin, Ben Vane, Beinn Ime, Narnain and the Cobbler. Struggled through Glen Loin and up Vane from Coiregrogain, took my time and pleased to see I was only a few minutes slower than usual. Steady climb to Vanes flat top, over the back avoiding most of the crags down grassy slopes towards Lag Uaine. Up a faint path towards Glas Bealach gradually turning up the racing line, steep, to Imes small summit. Set off for Narnain via Bealach a'Mhaim, some walkers about now but fewer than usual. Soon on Narnains flat rocky top, round the Trig and off towards The Cobbler, steep steps then a short runnable climb before another steepish climb to the top. Descended via the Cobbler race route avoiding the zig zag walkers path to finish at Succoth.

Loch Sloy with Vorlich behind from Vane

View from Vane over A Chrois

Ime from Vane

Imes summit

Narnains top

Narnain from The Cobbler

Loch Long, Arrochar with Ben Lomond behind

The Cobbler and Narnain

Late run today, started just after 5, passed a few people coming down on the way to the Narnain Boulders, very few after that. High cloud, good visibility, no wind and no people made for a fine peaceful run. Took in the Cobbler first, A couple coming down the steps, no one after that. Back to Bealach a Mhaim then up Narnain, no one about, a couple could be seen descending Ime. Views for miles, Arran down the firth of Clyde, Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg to the North. Nice light. One of those evenings you wanted to stay up all night. Steady run down past the Narnain Boulders to the sound of the Buttermilk Burn rushing by.