‘An unforgettable present’ as walkers complete anniversary coast-to-coast challenge from Ullapool to Ardgay
Graham Smith, a former member of the North of Scotland Long Distance Walkers Association, shares the story of the group’s 10th anniversary trek
A total of 155 walkers, who had come from all over Britain, took part in the Highland Coast to Coast challenge walk, organised by the North of Scotland Long Distance Walkers Association.
The challenge involved walking 36 miles from Ullapool on Loch Broom to Ardgay on the Dornoch Firth – believed to be the shortest coast to coast route across Scotland – in 15 hours.
The walk was completed by 151 of the walkers, with just four having to retire. All the finishers completed the walk well within the time allowed.
The event was based at Ardgay Hall and the walkers were transported by coach to the start, setting off at 9am. They were looked after by a team of more than 30 marshals, all members of North of Scotland LDWA.
The route was on paths and tracks and visited some of the most spectacular scenery in the UK, with walkers given a detailed route description to follow.
From Ullapool the route went to Loch Achall and alongside the Rhidorroch River to the high point of the walk above Loch an Daimh, at 257 metres or 843 feet.
The walkers then descended to cross the Abhainn Poibildh river – where marshals were on hand to help them across – to Strath Mulzie and then Strath Cuileannach, to reach the hamlet of Croick.
The last 10 miles to Ardgay were along a minor road, with a short diversion before the end to reach the Dornoch Firth – to signify the end of the end of the coast-to-coast crossing.
There were three checkpoints, at East Rhidorroch, the Schoolhouse Bothy at Strath Mulzie and at Croick, where refreshments were provided by the marshals and where walkers could attend to issues such as blisters.
At the end, the walkers were provided with a hot meal, and they were all given “goody bags” containing a Glen Morangie whisky miniature, a packet of Walkers shortbread and a souvenir Highland Coast to Coast badge.
Many walkers had come from elsewhere in Scotland, with several others from northern England. Others had come from as far afield as Cornwall, Dorset, Essex, Kent, Sussex, London and Wales.
The walkers were delighted with the route and appreciated all the organisation which went into putting on the event.
Pieter Mostert, who lives in Dorchester in Dorset, said: “What a fabulous coast-to-coast walk we had. When I read about the walk at the beginning of the year, I immediately thought this is the best present I can wish myself for my 73rd birthday. And yes, it was the best possible one.
“Many thanks to all the volunteers for organising the walk and for providing wonderful support at the checkpoints and at the wet crossing.
“Somewhere during the hours, when the scenery was stunning and the path meandered, just as the river did, I thought to myself, this is a pilgrim’s path, about the experience of connecting the sea at the west with the one in the east. Ten hours of silence – while the body walked, the mind meditated. An unforgettable present.
“I highly appreciate the decision to make us walk from west to east. The tail wild – the gentle push in the back – was a great support, and it also cleared the air of any midges.”
The Highland Coast to Coast was the main event staged by the North of Scotland LDWA to mark its 10th anniversary this year.
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The group, formerly called North West Grampian, is one of three branches of the LDWA north of the border.
There are a total of 42 groups nationwide – the other Scottish ones being South of Scotland and Heart of Scotland. Membership of the north group is mainly drawn from the Moray, Inverness, Ross-shire and Sutherland areas.
The group puts on one or two walks a month, spread throughout the area, and has also regularly organised the Laich o’ Moray 50 challenge (last staged in 2023), with walkers given 24 hours to complete a 52-mile route from Forres, along the Moray coast and back via Elgin and Califer Hill.
Last year NoS LDWA organised the LDWA’s flagship event – the Speyside 100, where entrants had to walk a 101-mile route in 48 hours. The group has also organised outdoor first aid and navigation courses for members.
On November 23 the group will repeat its first ever walk, called Castles, Railways and Rivers, with routes of 14 and 8.5 miles starting from the Logie Steading Visitor Centre, near Forres, and led by chairman Pete Mitchell, who is a founder member.
In view of the success of the Highland Coast to Coast, the group’s committee will shortly decide on whether the walk will be put on again.
For more details of North of Scotland LDWA, go to www.ldwa.org.uk/NorthofScotland
