Update from the Trail, September 2008

[Jacquetta]

I went up to Kirkmichael on Friday to meet a heroic hiker from Oregon who had just completed the Rob Roy Way and Cateran Trail end-on.  I hope to add to this update once I hear from him further, and then compile it into a proper update sheet for the guidebook, available to everyone.  Meantime here is advance warning of some recent developments: note that (c) and (d) affect only "other walks" (4.2 and 4.3) and not the main Trail.
a) the Log Cabin Hotel at Kirkmichael has closed (following a change of ownership last year) so it's also now unhelpful as a landmark (pp33, 57)
b) various derelict buildings have become renovated (e.g. on p39, 4th bullet)
c) the shieling photographed on p56 is no longer visible
d) the boat-house on Loch Beanie is no longer there (page 59, 1st bullet).

There's a really useful info pack that Blairgowrie TIC supplies, including lists for eating out, accommodation and a new colourful leaflet with map.  They also give details of the Blairgowrie & East Perthshire Walking Festival, which runs from 3 to 9 October.

[Loon Dod]

Did Spittal to Kirkton of Glenisla on Sat 20th Sept.  Everything was as it should be.

Plan to do complete route with start and finish at Spittal on the 18th October that will be 55 miles.  Am using alternate route from Alyth direct to Blairgowrie, so no out-and-back via Bridge of Cally. Will let you know if I find any problems and will also make avilable GPS file if anyone wants it.

[Jacquetta]

That's great to hear, Loon.  Am interested in the Alyth/Blair option which wasn't available when I researched the book.  Please let us know how you find it and also whether it's signposted like the rest of the trail with heart symbols, or what?

Are you really doing 55 miles in 24 hours?  And if so how on earth do you prepare for such a feat of endurance?

[Loon Dod]

Hi
We are putting on a race in May: take a look here.  Would be interested in your comments.  The run next week is to check the cut-offs work and the signage is OK.  We will put up temp signs in some places as required.  Check out the fly-through maps for the route.

We will run it slowly to check everything.  The race will have an 18-hour time limit, but I expect that the winning time will be around 12 hours the first year – it depends on who enters. We have a potential big sponsor, and if that comes off will pull in the big names.

I run around 3000 miles a year, a lot of it off-road, WHW is one of my favourites.  You build up to these things over a number of years.  An easy week for me would be about 60 miles, a  harder week around 90, with weekend training runs from 15 to 50 miles.  A lot of time is spent on core strength work and mental approach is very important.

Next big thing for me is coast-to-coast between Xmas and New Year from Kyle of Lochalsh to Stonehaven: approx 180 miles over 3 days unsupported, all off-road.

Train hard, pee clear.
Dod

[Loon Dod]

Hi all

We ran the 55-mile loop on Sat, starting and finishing at Spittal of Glenshee. We set off at 6am (in the dark for about an hour and a bit), signs all OK on the first section, the new section after Kirkton of Glenisla goes over the hill instead of around is good and well marked although there is a post at the exit of the woods which has fallen over.  If you miss it you go straight on a track which is wrong, instead of down through a field on to the correct track.

Everything fine all the way to Alyth.  The section we used from Alyth to Blairgowrie is not marked by signs but is easy to follow. I can send a description if you wish.  Blairgowrie back to Kirkmichael all signs are fine.

From here we were starting to be in the dark again but it's the motorway section and easy running, all signs seemed to be OK.  The drop down from the Lairig Gate in the dark with snow in the air and the path like a vertical ploughed field was interesting.

We took 13 hrs 58 mins to do the route.  It was heavy going underfoot, and in places very wet.

If you want I can send you a GPX file although my battery ran out at 50 miles so I don't have the complete route.

Cheers, Dod