Join us for a trail Running holiday in Wester Ross, which you will never forget. With 70k of technical, mountainous terrain (and at least 6000 meters of ascent. The runs will be guided by expert trail runners and qualified mountain leaders over three days incorporating some of Scotland’s most beautiful terrain and several munros. This will be our fifth time in this part of Scotland and we love it!

You’ll be staying in the excellent Torridon Hostel, close to Loch Torridon, (one of our favourites in the UK) from Wednesday to Sunday. There’s also a chance to taste some of Scotland’s finest whiskys and to swim in rivers, which will take your breath away.

If you’re a non running partner, you are also welcome along, as there is lots besides to do including walks, salmon fishing, kayaking on Loch Torridon, whisky tasting or mountain biking. It is possible to catch glimpses of the northern lights here, if you are lucky.

We will stay at the excellent Torridon hostel- one of the best in the UK we think.  It’s only 9 miles from Diabaig.

https://www.hostellingscotland.org.uk/hostels/torridon/

What’s included

• 4 days of guided runs
• Breakfast and lunch included (evening meals are not included except for Thursday). We will have a meal out in Sheildaig on Saturday and cook communally on other days
• Pick up and drop offs at Inverness airport/train station are included.
• Yoga for runners taught by a local instructor
• 4 night’s accommodation at the Torridon Hostel, unless you prefer to make your own arrangements

What’s not included

• Lunch and breakfast is not included but you can buy provisions in Inverness or at the hostel or bring them with you.
• Lunch on Monday
• flights/train/travel to Inverness

You will arrive on Thursday and we can pick you up from Inverness upon request. The train journey from Inverness is also pretty special, should you choose to take it!

**Massages are also available upon request. Please let us know in advance and we will book this in.**

Thursday

Arrive from 2pm. Bed in.

Optional evening run of about 10k.

7.30pm communal dinner at the hostel

Friday

Breakfast 8.00am to 9.00am

Chat about route preparation and navigation

Run from front door

11am: Benn Liath run 20k

Afternoon swim in river or Lochor trip to Torridon and free time

7pm: Dinner at the cottage

Saturday

7.30 to 8.30am: Breakfast

8.30am Drive to Coulin

9am Coulin to Attadale run 22k

Lunch in Attedale then Visit the Torridon Inn.

Navigation and route planning for next day with group.

7pm Dinner at the cottage.

Sunday

7.30am to 8.15am breakfast

8:15 – 45 min Drive to the start (Wraps will be handed out at the start)

9am Start of 30k run from southern edge of the Coulin Estate to the Torridon Inn via the Coulin Estate and Bhen Mhor. The run will include some technical advice from our guides.

7pm Dinner in Sheildag

Monday

7.30 to 8.30am: Breakfast

Swim/pack/walk

10am Return to Inverness via minibus/van

Routes

These routes are just handpicked examples of some of our favourites but we will stick to the distances described on the itinerary.

DAY ONE: INCHERIL LOOP VIA SLIOCH (MUNRO)

Park at Incheril, close to Kinlockwe. This is very accessible if you happen to be staying in Wester Ross or somewhere near the Torridon hills. It is a geologically interesting run along one of the region’s finest and most historic lochs, as well as tackling one of the region’s most well-known Munros. You are also close to the Fisherfields, Scotland’s own true wilderness.

The path starts out flat and well trodden and becomes wilder and more isolated and therefore rockier as you approach Glenn Tanagaihd.

Skirting round from the east and then south before dropping back to the western path and following the relatively flat but still difficult return along Loch Maree. Come prepared, it starts and ends flat but isn’t easy. Distance: 35 to 40k Difficulty rating 4/5

DAY TWO: BENN DAMPH LOOP

This is a relatively flat (by West Highlands standards) circular run, starting at the Torridon Hotel and skirting the foot of Benn Damph (with the option of ascending to the top). It skirts Loch Damph in an anticlockwise direction back to the Torridon Hotel, which is also an excellent watering hole and does very good food. Difficulty Rating 2/5

Distance: About 22km

DAY THREE: THE CELTMAN MARATHON ROUTE (This is an extreme version of what we are likely to do but is an option for anyone feeling super keen!)

Our set route will be up Benn Liath Mhor

This takes care of itself. The run starts at Lair, which is less than five minutes’ drive from the New Lodge and ends in Torridon by the village hall. The route will follow the very challenging Celtman marathon course and incorporates one of Scotland’s most iconic Munros Benn Eighe (it’s a short climb to the top from the ridge, going out and back northwards before descending to the tarn). It heads up the Coulin Pass. We would not recommend this as solo run without guides close at hand. Difficulty Rating 5/5 Distance: 42km.

KIT

OS Explorer Map 433

head torch

Towel

Spare casual clothes

Trail or fell shoes

waterproof/windproof bottoms and top

whistle

Camelbag or water container for runs

Bumbag or small backpack for running/daytrips

Pound coins/cash (enough for steam train or to place a bet on the hounds!)

OS Explorer Map OL6: The Lake District: South-western

compass

optional

map (if you’d like to work on your navigation skills)

compass

something to read

Midge repellant