Glen Finlas Sun 25th Nov

Set off on a clockwise circuit of Glen Finlas parking at the bottom of the new road and set off up Shantron hill as the sun rose, cold with high broken cloud. Ground soft, wet and as your feet sink in almost every step toes soon like lumps of ice.

Conditions change as you go further up the glen. The wind picks up so you need to keep moving but the ground was frozen, much better as your feet don't sink in and finally get a chance to warm up.

Good views from the top of the Glen where the usual wind gusts down Glen Luss and into Glen Finlas.

Return route means a run through the dreaded peat hags, managed to avoid the worst with a couple of detours and soon on the steep descent past Mulea Plantation. 10 miles with 2900' of ascent in just under 2 3/4 hours. A few pics in the Galleria

Glen Loin Sun 18th Nov

Nice easy run up through Glen Loin and round into Corriegrogan, following the track to climb out at the Beallach a'Mhaim and a run back down the nice? new path to Succouth between Narnain and the Cobbler. Must go up the new path at the back of the Cobbler sometime.

Cloud level about 3000' with enough gaps to see the icing sugar coated peaks of Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps. The expected storms failed to materialise with great running conditions, cool and little wind, only windchill evident at the top of the Beallach and only for a few minutes.

Nice and quiet with only a few walkers out and then only on the last mile or so down to Succouth.

Glasgow Uni 5 Miler Sat 17th Nov

Run in and around the Garscube Sports complex this popular end of season 5 mile road race is now a 2 lapper to avoid busy road crossings. Still got a few hills to test you out.

Another HR Race, target not to let HR go below 160, set lower limit at 159 so a beep meant speed up, upper limit 170. Again resisted the urge to go faster and also monitored the HR around the course to get a feel for the effect changes in effort/pace and hills have on HR.

Kept first 1/2 mile or so under 160 then pushed on and HR settled around 162-165. Only other time it dropped below was for a few seconds at the bottom of 2 of the hills on each lap. Also kept max HR under 170, topped out at 172 at the top of the last hill on lap 1.

Finished in 36:08, round about the target of sub 36 mins an ok run.

Stoneymollen Sun 11th Nov

Late night meant a late afternoon jog over Carman, Overton & Bromley moors coming down via Stoneymollen. Just under 1 1/2 hours with Bromley moor & Stoneymollen in the dark so about 10 mins longer than normal. About 8 miles and 1200' of ascent all in.

Eddies 1/2 Marathon Sun 4th Nov

Annual pilgrimage for this end of season 1/2 Marathon in Fort William. Only my third road race of the year and first 1/2 since last years race. Good running weather, cool, not windy and mostly dry.

No great expectations of a good time after the PW at the M10 handicap. Having lost my stopwatch ran using a Heart Rate Monitor and decided to try for 85% of theoretical max which is 153 bpm and should be a nice steady pace which I could hopefully maintain, set the max to 160.

Kept the first mile under 150 and then eased the pace up, next time I looked sitting on 153, HR went up to 156 and down to 151 with the slight hills on the course and gradually picked off a few runners in front to about half way. Each mile covered in just under 8 minutes picking up about a minute over the first 6 miles.

Using the HR helped to avoid the urge to go faster, had to work a bit harder from 8 to 12 miles but managed to keep the even pace going until the last 1/2 mile and then a slight increase, HR up to 162 BPM and kept ahead of runners closing behind. Finished in 1:44:28, 33 seconds under 8 min mile pace.

Beinn Dubh Sun 28th Oct

Beinn Dubh, in Glen Luss, nice easy Sunday run, 7 miles with 2300' of ascent. Surprisingly good weather, Sunny but as usual on this exposed ridge a cold wind with only a couple of sheltered areas to stop for a quick drink. Good views to Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps but all topped with clouds. Slippy on the way down Mid Hill especially the lower slopes. Finished with a jog down Glen Luss road.

10 Mile Handicap Sun 14th Oct

Second road race of the year was the Clubs annual 10 mile handicap race round the Horeshoe. Start & finish at the Vale Leisure Centre.

The route goes up to & through Balloch towards Gartocharn turning off at the Ballochmyle & onto the Horseshoe route by Caldarvan station and back down Auchencarroch road to the Vale.

Set off too fast as usual but steadied after a couple of miles around 7 1/2 min mile pace to reach 5 miles in 38 mins. Lost it in the next 2 miles and walked up a couple of the hills before jogging to the finish in a PW of 83 + mins, 9 mins outside handicap time set by me!

Ben Ime Sun 7th Oct

Woken at 7:30 by the sun streaming in, promise of a good day & drove up to Arrochar, changed route about 6 times on the way there but decided to go for max views on the clear day, so Ben Ime it was at 3318' the highest in Arrochar.

New route, started with a clockwise run up Glen Loin and took the faint path towards Lag Uaine just before the disappearing stream . Climbed up below the knarly ridge that leads towards Ben Imes lower top keeping in the sunlight for warmth.

Not much of a path and took my time looking at the views opening up, pushed hard up the steep corrie headwall to the summit ridge as it was cold in the shade, but luckily no wind. Once on the ridge time for a rest and some pictures with spectacular views stretching from Arran to Ben Nevis.

Having found out the hard way that Ben Ime is difficult to run off in the mist picked an easily identifiable rock near the top and followed a bearing down to the Beallach a Mhaim. Seems simple enough and hopefully it will be.

Too slow & tired for any thoughts of a quick detour up the Cobbler, maybe next time, its about 30 years since I have been up there.

New man made path all the way from the back of the Cobbler down to Arrochar makes for a fast descent as long as you can dodge the stream of walkers on their way up.

All in 12 miles and 4000' of ascent in just under 3 1/2 hours, could go quicker but you need to take your time on days like this. Some pix in the Galleria.

Glen Luss Sun 23rd Sept

Anti clockwise run round Glen Luss, 12 miles with 4000 feet of ascent. Delayed write up due to nasty cold.

Starting up Beinn Dubh then along the broad ridge round the 2 corries and over the un-named top before the steep drop down into Sith Mor followed by a stiff climb up to the highest point of the route, Doune Hill @ 2408' . Then a run along the ridge over Beinn Eich before dropping down to the Glen Luss/Mollochan intersection for the 2 mile jog back down Glen Luss.

3 hrs 37 mins which is about 10 mins longer than usual maybe a sign of what was to come the next week.

A few pix in the galleria.

Merrick Sat 15th Sept

Merrick is a 2765' Corbett in Galloway Forrest Park, on the way out the race loops round a few lesser hills, Eschoncan, Bennan, and Benyellary with a run down the Neive of the Spit before joining the hill walkers path for the the short climb up to Merrick.

The return route continues round via the Rig of the Gloon, past Helen's Stone, over the Rig of Loch Enoch, along the Buchan Ridge to Buchan Hill and a last descent by one of the Black Gairy's, sounds very nice but with conditions wet and muddy underfoot a good test with the winner in 1 hr 25 mins, some 5 minutes outside his record set last year.

This was my 5th try at this race and my fourth race in this years SHR Championship which will get me a mug!

The race starts and finishes close to Bruce's Stone in Glentrool and took a slightly longer route than usual on the way out between Bennan and Benyellary, keeping behind the newly repaired dry stane dyke which gave welcome shelter from the wind. Both the tops of Benyellary and Merrick were in mist but with the route marked with hundreds of taped canes it was difficult to go wrong although one or two at the front did manage the odd detour.

Coming off Merrick via the Rig of the Gloon and views of hills and lochs all round made it difficult to concentrate as you dropped out the mist.

Finished in 2 hrs 9 mins for 67th place out of 84 finishers. A few pictures in the Galleria which don't do justice to what is a beautiful forrest in the South of Scotland, home to one of the 7Stanes Mountain Bike Trails.

Stoneymollen Sun 9th Sept

For once common sense prevailed, so it was a short run up behind Carman reservoir, through the quarry and up over the moors to Stoneymollen, a short jog down followed by a run along the bypass grass verge cutting into the back of the Christie Park and back home. About 7 miles in less than an hour and a half and more importantly - most of it off road.

Devils Beeftub Sat Sept 8th

A new race for me, 2 miles with 700' of ascent, the hill running equivalent of a sprint. The race starts about 6 miles north of Moffat, that's 5 miles to Corehead Farm at the end of a single track road then a mile walk to the start. The race is run in and around the Devils Beeftub.

A warm sunny day greeted the 86 runners for one of the 2 short races in the Scottish Hill Runners 2007 Championship. The race starts in the Beeftub bowl and the main climb begins within 50 metres of the start where it's hands and knees up to a monument on the top for an undulating run clockwise round the rim of the Beeftub, first to Annanhead Hill, then a short descent and re-ascent to Great Hill.

From the top of Great Hill its a steeeep descent back into the Beeftub, first part not too bad in that it is grass and ferns but from about half way down the ground is peppered with rocks and stones and staying on your feet becomes more important.

Took the last descent too carefully and lost 7 or 8 places but got 3 back on the short run past the circular sheep pen to the finish.

A good wee race but just too far to consider a regular visit with over 1 1/2 hours drive each way.

Ben nevis Sat 1st Sept

Another go at this classic, 10 miles with 4400' of ascent and descent, straight up and straight down, no fuss or detours just a blast from start to finish.

After a slower run last year hoped to get under 2 1/2 hours, slow by race standards, and my aim was to get to the Red Burn, 2200', in as near to 50 mins as possible then 48 mins to the summit, anything under 52 to the finish would get me in under 2 1/2.

Set off on the usual charge round the sports field and onto achintee road for about a mile leading to the tourist path proper. The route climbs steeper as it winds its way up Glen Nevis on "Melantee" before contouring up and round towards the Red Burn, the only puzzle was which of the many short cuts to take.

For a change reached the Red Burn without feeling as if I needed to lie down until I looked at the watch, just over 53 mins, a bit of a blow but still worth a push to the top. From the Red Burn its straight up the steep rock and scree slopes and it doesn't seem long before the leaders are flying back down.

As you approach the summit more and more runners come past, difficult to avoid as they jump and stumble their chaotic way down.

Reached the top in just over 1 hour 40 mins having clawed back some of the time lost in the first half. To put it in perspective, the 1st 10 were back at the finish before I reached the top.

Handed in my tag to the summit marshalls and headed back over the rocky top at a steady jog, pace increasing as the ground gets steeper through the Field of Cairns, managing to get past a few steady runners before it gets really steep as you pick up the Red Burn.

A new experience this year was being overtaken by a runner doing a somersault on the steepest rockiest part, he spins past and on down the mountain taking out the runner below/in front, a surreal experience in what seems like slow motion, somehow manage to keep my balance, eyes on where my feet could grip as well as the acrobatics.

Luckily both ok and aftere a quick nod took off down hill towards the Green Wall of Death, just as steep but muddy, rock and scree filled grass, a mixture of bumsliding, running, jumping & generally just hope for the best for the last 800' back down to the Tourist Path on Melantee.

Although downhill the Tourist Path is not the best place to run, boulder steps set into the ground to minimise path erosion, greasy, grit covered rocks with more steady runners in front to overtake and walkers climbing up to avoid. Push on as hard as possible on the down slope and soon past the rockiest part with the help of a short cut or two.

To keep the momentum going I try to pick off a few more runners in front for the last 1/2 mile or so of the Tourist Path before the "murder mile" of tarmac called Achintee Road.

Reach the road in 2:22 and some seconds, took me 9 minutes at the start but give it a go and reach Claggan Park with just under a minute under 2 1/2 hours. No way there was going to be a heroic sprint but pushing hard all the way round the park to the finish in 23 seconds over 2 1/2 hours, a PB by some 40 seconds.

Adventure Show TV Cameras there again this year so maybe another 5 seconds of fame!

Next years race is to be part of the Buff Skyrunner Series so entries will be scarce - miss it at your peril.

Whinney Hill Sun 26th Aug

In preparation for Ben Nevis next Saturday went for an easy run through Christie, Argyll & Balloch Park, leaving Balloch Park out the back on the track to Whinney Hill for a seat overlooking Inchmurrin. Reversed the route on the way home, out for just over 96 mins.

Lomonds of Fife Sun 19th Aug

New race for me and one of the 6 races in this years Scottish Hill Runners Championship. The race is over 11 miles and about 3400' of ascent over and around East & West Lomond (WL twice). Not huge hills, West Lomond is just over 1700' and East just under 1400' with a few miles of undulating terrain in between and as they are surrounded by flat ground attracting a glider trying to catch the updraughts.

Championship status means a large field and usually someone to follow in poor visibility, about 130 entrants but good weather as well, bright, cool, with the sun breaking through at the end.


The race started with a run up towards WL across a couple of fields to reach the hill and a walk to the top, the leaders streaming back down past as you toil. About turn at the top and half way back down hang a right for a descending traverse across streep slopes taking you to the start of an undulating forrest track for 2 or 3 miles.

A narrow path on the right was marked for the next climb, a zig zag path / stream through the forrest, just about runnable for me. No time to stop and look at the sign on the old tower as you get to the top of the steep track onto a twisting wet boggy run up and down (mostly up) through trees popping out on a moor 2/3 of the way to East Lomond.

Unusually for a hill race a water station and then a short descent on forrest road before the Climb up EL. A short steep sheep track gives way to a runnable farm track, a mixture of stones and 2 foot deep bogs to cath the unwary. As you approach EL its back onto narrow steeper hill paths, a few minutes effort and you're on top.

The return route to WL via an old Hill Fort (now a square mound of grass) is clear as you start the descent from EL back to the water station where you leave the safety of the farm track and head over tussock and soaking ground to the Fort followed by a strength sapping climb back up to the track. The track winds its way up towards WL and as usual the last climb is v steep with a hang glider about to take off as I reach the top.

The descent of WL is infamous, a runnable 1/4 mile or so then over a fence to the top of a near vertical green slope. No chance of staying upright so sit and slide down at a fair rate. Luckily no thistles on this "path". Its a few minutes before the slope eases and I can stand and run back through the fields to the finish in just over 2 hours 20 mins.

Jogged the mile or two back to Strathmiglo village hall, changed and the usual Fife post race hospitality. Tea, biscuits etc.

Luss Horseshoe Sun 12th Aug

Started off with the usual run up Beinn Dubh and along the broad ridge round the Corries and back down to the top of Glen Luss via mid hill.

Instead of a jog back down the Glen Luss road crossed over and ran up to the saddle between the 2 tops of Coille-eughain Hill, from here ran down towards Loch Lomond over the suitably named paps working a sheep track/path through the head high bracken and tussocks. To finish managed to pick up the path to a small bridge over Luss water which comes out at the bottom of Glen Luss.

All in 9 miles and about 3500' of ascent in just under 3 hours.

Coill-e hill was a nice alternative to the road and also a better workout particularly after 2 weeks of Lossiemouth excess!

Lossie Beach Runs to 9th Aug

On holiday at Lossiemouth and after the Ben Rinnes race had a relaxing fortnight at Silver Sands campsite. A run along the 3 mile beach every couple of days followed by a swim in the N Sea to keep things ticking over. A few pics to follow in the galleria.

Ben Rinnes Sat 28th July

60 runners took part in this years Ben Rinnes 5 Tops Hill Race, 14 miles long with 4900' of ascent. My third attempt at this race run from the Dufftown Highland games. The route goes over Little Conval and Meikle Conval before Ben Rinnes, returning to the games field via the same 2 Convals as on the way out.


Cold wet and windy so chose a long sleeved thermal and light shower jacket to keep the wind off. Target was to get as close as possible to 3 hours which was too optimistic with current fitness and in the wet conditions which had turned the Convals a bit mushy.


Kept it steady to start with hopefully conserving energy for the Convals on the way back. Hit the road after the Convals on the way out in 1 hour and then a 47 minute ascent of Ben Rinnes, descent back to the road in 22 mins, finished in 3:13:49, just over a minute down on previous best.


Good race with plenty of runnable terrain but the cold wind/rain combined with the soft ground made it a bit harder this year. The new path up and down Ben Rinnes probably a bit slower as you have to keep to the zig zags to minimise erosion instead of the usual straight down charge.

Luss Highland Games Sun 22nd July

Luss, 2nd of 3 highland games in a row, this one with 2 hill races, both start & finish with a lap of the track. First the Local event, 2 miles and 500' of ascent going 1/2 way up Cruach Dhubh and back to the games field and then a couple of hours later the Open event, 3 miles and 1000' of ascent all the way up and back.

Last of 4 in the local event but still won a fiver, 17th of 19 in the Open event. Improved my times for both races from last year, not surprising in the Local as took a detour last year! (got lost). Some good runners in this years open event including the current Scottish champion.

Roseneath Highland Games Sun 15th July

Back for this short hill race for the first time since 2003. Hot and sunny and probably shouldn't have run due to rotten cold all week but it's only a short race. Probably about 8 runners and 20 or 30 others with an extra half lap of the games field to start.

Tough little climb once out the games field through cow fields and onto a forrest road for a runnable steady climb to the top of the hill then a fun tussock filled ditch where every time you try to find a firm piece of ground to run on away from the dry stane dyke you fall flat on your face, so you run with your feet as close to the dyke as possible and lean away, oh and the odd tree stump to jump as well.

Out of tussock ditch to rejoin the forrest track then back into muck n stuff through the fields. Back in the games field its half a lap to the finish. Lucky its a short race. Finished 5th or 6th about 30 secs faster than 03.