Posts tagged Ayrshire

There are currently 83 parkrun events in Scotland of which I have completed 7. The first was Pollok parkrun which started on December 6th 2008 and the newest is Drumlarig Castle which started on May 9th 2026. The name for having completed all parkrun events in Scotland is ALLba

Only one 5k parkrun event has been permanently cancelled in Scotland. Inverness parkrun was held from September 2011 to March 14th 2020 and was replaced by Torvean parkrun

Numbers exclude 2k Junior parkruns and any events that are not open to the general public such as prisons or armed forces facilities.

The Central Belt:

Scottish parkruns by County

If you are looking through the list of Scottish parkruns below, you’ll notice that I have included both the Historic County and the present-day Council Area for each event. The Historic Counties are the traditional geographical divisions of Scotland. These boundaries were established centuries ago, some tracing their origins back to the Middle Ages, and they were formally used for local administration from the late 19th century right up until 1975. Today, these boundaries remain static, offering a fascinating glimpse into the map history and traditional cartography of the landscape we are running through.

The present-day Council Areas are Scotland’s modern administrative units. The current system of 32 single‑tier councils came into effect on 1 April 1996, replacing the two‑tier structure of regions and districts that had existed since 1975. These councils handle local services such as waste collection, education, and planning.

Lanarkshire is the Historic County with the most 5k parkrun events with 9.
Highland is the Council Area with the most 5k parkrun events with 9.

All of the Scottish parkrun events …

Below are each of the Scottish 5k parkrun events in alphabetical order. A few things to note:

The interactive maps below take you to the approximate location for the course, typically the centre of the park. See the course instructions in the parkrun page for each event for specific directions to the start.
Course maps and elevation profiles show the route at the time that I ran it and may have changed since then. See the Course page in the event’s page on parkrun.org.uk for the current course outline. Note that course outlines are from Garmin data during a specific run and may vary from the officially measured distance.
Please contact me if you spot an event that doesn’t have a course map and elevation profile and you would like to donate one from your own run. I’m also interested in maps and elevation profiles for courses that have changed or where there’s a regular alternative route (e.g. Horsham). I’ll need a GPX file from your run plus the date. I’ll include a credit for you and will donate £1 to parkrun.

Aberdeen

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Aberdeenshire
Council Area: Aberdeen City
Inaugural: October 8th 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Agnew

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Wigtownshire
Council Area: Dumfries and Galloway
Inaugural: December 14th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Alness

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Ross-shire / Ross and Cromarty
Council Area: Highland
Inaugural: August 26th 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Anagach Woods

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Morayshire
Council Area: Highland
Inaugural: August 23rd 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Auldcathie District

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: West Lothian
Council Area: West Lothian
Inaugural: January 7th 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Aviemore

I completed this event on: June 14th 2025 with a finish time of: 25:43
Other routes touched (walk): Speyside Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 7
Historic County: Inverness-shire
Council Area: Highland
Inaugural: May 6th 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Ayr

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Ayrshire
Council Area: South Ayrshire
Inaugural: September 20th 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Beecraigs Country Park

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: West Lothian
Council Area: West Lothian
Inaugural: December 27th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Belladrum

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Inverness-shire
Council Area: Highland
Inaugural: January 24th 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Bo’ness Foreshore

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: West Lothian
Council Area: Falkirk
Inaugural: October 4th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Bressay

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Shetland
Council Area: Shetland Islands
Inaugural: January 20th 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Camperdown

I completed this event on: September 28th 2024 with a finish time of: 27:05
Other routes touched: None
Historic County: Angus
Council Area: Dundee City
Inaugural: May 19th 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Carlingwark Loch

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Kirkcudbrightshire
Council Area: Dumfries and Galloway
Inaugural: October 21st 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Castle Woods

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Aberdeenshire
Council Area: Aberdeenshire
Inaugural: May 17th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Crathes Castle

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Aberdeenshire
Council Area: Aberdeenshire
Inaugural: February 9th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Crichton

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Dumfriesshire
Council Area: Dumfries and Galloway
Inaugural: January 6th 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Crinan Canal

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Argyllshire
Council Area: Argyll and Bute
Inaugural: August 31st 2024
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Cuningar Loop

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: South Lanarkshire
Inaugural: March 8th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Dean Castle Country Park

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Ayrshire
Council Area: East Ayrshire
Inaugural: August 31st 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Drumchapel

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Dunbartonshire
Council Area: Glasgow City
Inaugural: June 4th 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Drumlarig Castle

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Dumfriesshire
Council Area: Dumfries and Galloway
Inaugural: May 9th 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Drumpellier Country

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: North Lanarkshire
Inaugural: July 27th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Dunfermline

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Fife
Council Area: Fife
Inaugural: July 4th 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Edinburgh

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Midlothian
Council Area: City of Edinburgh
Inaugural: October 17th 2009
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Eglinton

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Ayrshire
Council Area: North Ayrshire
Inaugural: March 16th 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Elder Park

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: Glasgow City
Inaugural: June 11th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Elgin

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Morayshire
Council Area: Moray
Inaugural: March 5th 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Ellon

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Aberdeenshire
Council Area: Aberdeenshire
Inaugural: October 17th 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Erskine Waterfront

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Renfrewshire
Council Area: Renfrewshire
Inaugural: November 19th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Falkirk

I completed this event on: August 10th 2024 with a finish time of: 28:08
Other routes touched (walk): John Muir Way
Other routes touched (cycle): HArRTT
Historic County: Stirlingshire
Council Area: Falkirk
Inaugural: July 16th 2011
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Faskally Forest

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Perthshire
Council Area: Perth and Kinross
Inaugural: March 7th 2020
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

FeldyRoo Fitness Trail

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Perthshire
Council Area: Perth and Kinross
Inaugural: April 12th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Forfar Loch

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Angus
Council Area: Angus
Inaugural: February 12th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Fort William

I completed this event on: August 17th 2024 with a finish time of: 28:02
Other routes touched: None
Historic County: Inverness-shire
Council Area: Highland
Inaugural: April 7th 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Ganavan Sands

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Argyllshire
Council Area: Argyll and Bute
Inaugural: August 20th 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Girvan Prom

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Ayrshire
Council Area: South Ayrshire
Inaugural: July 28th 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Greenock

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Renfrewshire
Council Area: Inverclyde
Inaugural: May 17th 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Hay Lodge

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Peeblesshire
Council Area: Scottish Borders
Inaugural: November 3rd 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Hazlehead

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Aberdeenshire
Council Area: Aberdeen City
Inaugural: August 16th 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Holyrood

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Midlothian
Council Area: City of Edinburgh
Inaugural: July 16th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Inverness

***Inverness parkrun is now permanently cancelled ***

I did not complete this event before it was closed
County: Inverness-shire / Highland
Inaugural: September 3rd 2011. Final event: #432 on March 14th 2020
Reason for cancellation: Original venue became unavailable
Replaced by: Torvean
Links: Event Home Page

Kirkcaldy

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Fife
Council Area: Fife
Inaugural: February 14th 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Kirkwall

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Orkney
Council Area: Orkney Islands
Inaugural: April 21st 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Lady Mary’s Walk

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Perthshire
Council Area: Perth and Kinross
Inaugural: April 18th 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Lanark Moor

I completed this event on: September 25th 2025 with a finish time of: 27:27
Other routes touched: None
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: South Lanarkshire
Inaugural: August 11th 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Largs Prom

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Ayrshire
Council Area: North Ayrshire
Inaugural: May 28th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Levengrove

I completed this event on: September 9th 2023 with a finish time of: 26:09
Other routes touched (walk): The Shore Circular Path
Historic County: Dunbartonshire
Council Area: West Dunbartonshire
Inaugural: December 7th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Lews Castle

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Ross-shire
Council Area: Outer Hebrides
Inaugural: January 11th 2020
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Linwood

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Renfrewshire
Council Area: Renfrewshire
Inaugural: July 9th 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Livingston

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: West Lothian
Council Area: West Lothian
Inaugural: January 9th 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Loch Leven

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Kinross-shire
Council Area: Perth and Kinross
Inaugural: August 11th 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Lochend Woods

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: East Lothian
Council Area: East Lothian
Inaugural: March 23rd 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Lochore Meadows

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Fife
Council Area: Fife
Inaugural: May 19th 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Meadowmill

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: East Lothian
Council Area: East Lothian
Inaugural: February 9th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Montrose

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Angus
Council Area: Angus
Inaugural: July 8th 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Mount Stuart

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Buteshire
Council Area: Argyll and Bute
Inaugural: September 7th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Nairn Links

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Nairnshire
Council Area: Highland
Inaugural: March 29th 2025
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Oriam

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Midlothian
Council Area: City of Edinburgh
Inaugural: November 2nd 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Palacerigg Country

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Dunbartonshire
Council Area: North Lanarkshire
Inaugural: August 27th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Perth

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Perthshire
Council Area: Perth and Kinross
Inaugural: November 30th 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Plean

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Stirlingshire
Council Area: Stirling
Inaugural: November 18th 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Polkemmet Country

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: West Lothian
Council Area: West Lothian
Inaugural: May 25th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Pollok, Glasgow

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: Glasgow City
Inaugural: December 6th 2008
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Portobello, Edinburgh

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Midlothian
Council Area: City of Edinburgh
Inaugural: April 18th 2015
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Queen’s, Glasgow

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: Glasgow City
Inaugural: February 25th 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Riverside Park, Glenrothes

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Fife
Council Area: Fife
Inaugural: June 14th 2024
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Ruchill

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: Glasgow City
Inaugural: April 15th 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Skinadin

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Inverness-shire
Council Area: Highland
Inaugural: August 10th 2024
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Springburn

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: Glasgow City
Inaugural: May 10th 2014
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

St Andrews

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Fife
Council Area: Fife
Inaugural: April 21st 2012
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Stonehaven

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Kincardineshire
Council Area: Aberdeenshire
Inaugural: September 10th 2016
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Strathclyde

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: North Lanarkshire
Inaugural: April 10th 2010
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Thurso

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Caithness
Council Area: Highland
Inaugural: April 14th 2018
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Tollcross

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: Glasgow City
Inaugural: May 18th 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Torvean

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Inverness-shire
Council Area: Highland
Inaugural: September 4th 2021
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Troon

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Ayrshire
Council Area: South Ayrshire
Inaugural: December 2nd 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

University of Stirling

I completed this event on: September 24th 2022 with a finish time of: 24:20
Other routes touched (walk): Henry Milne Walk
Historic County: Stirlingshire
Council Area: Stirling
Inaugural: October 12th 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Ury Riverside

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Aberdeenshire
Council Area: Aberdeenshire
Inaugural: November 2nd 2019
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Victoria

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Lanarkshire
Council Area: Glasgow City
Inaugural: October 12th 2013
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Vogrie

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Midlothian
Council Area: Midlothian
Inaugural: March 11th 2017
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Wallaceneuk

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Roxburghshire
Council Area: Scottish Borders
Inaugural: January 18th 2020
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

West Links

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Angus
Council Area: Angus
Inaugural: January 15th 2022
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Whitekirk Hill

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: East Lothian
Council Area: East Lothian
Inaugural: September 16th 2023
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Wilton Lodge Park

I have not yet completed this event
Historic County: Roxburghshire
Council Area: Scottish Borders
Inaugural: April 11th 2026
Links: Event Home Page, Course Page

Craigairie Fell

Significance: Highest peak in Wigtownshire (Historic County Top)
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Beneraird
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Beneraird
Elevation: 321m
Date climbed: 23rd September 2021
Coordinates: 55° 1' 34'' N, 4° 45' 40'' W

Route Start / End: Parking space at end of road west from Polbae (DG8 6RZ)
Route Distance: 7.5 km (4.6 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 159m
Subsidiary tops on route: None
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Southern Upland Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
OS Trig Pillar: TP2507 - Craigairie Fell
Map: OS Explorer Map (310) Glenluce and Kirkcowan
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir)
Links: Wikipedia (Wigtownshire), Peakbagger

Craigairie Fell was our warm-up peak for the trip. With a total elevation of 321m, it’s a hill rather than a mountain and can be bagged in less than 2 hours. We tackled this one first as we flew into Glasgow in the morning and it was a 2-hour drive to the start of the walk.

There’s a good parking spot about a mile west along the road from Polbae. It’s more of a track than a road so don’t attempt it in a car with low clearance. You’ll notice it soon after the Forestry Commission sign saying “No Unauthorized Vehicle Access”. It’s an odd place to have the sign as it’s on a random part of the road with no place to turn around. The first place to turn further along is a junction with a track to a farm where the obvious parking spot is.

From the parking spot, navigation is very easy as you follow the Southern Upland Way all the way to the Trig Pillar at the top. The actual route is slightly shorter than the one on the map as there’s a short-cut of the Southern Upland Way that cuts off the hairpin bend near the D of Derry on the map.

Although our views from the top were a little misty, it was significantly better than the other summits in the trip with no views at all.

Merrick

Significance: Highest peak in Kirkcudbrightshire (Historic County Top), Highest peak in Dumfries and Galloway (Present Day County Top)
Member of: Marilyn, Corbett, Donald
Parent Peak: Helvellyn
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Goatfell
Elevation: 843m
Coordinates: 55° 8' 21'' N, 4° 28' 6'' W
OS Trig Pillar: TP4777 - Merrick
Links: Wikipedia Kirkcudbrightshire), Wikipedia (Dumfries and Galloway), Wikipedia (Merrick), Peakbagger

Kirriereoch Hill-Northwest Slope

Significance: Highest peak in Ayrshire (Historic County Top), Highest peak in South Ayrshire (Present Day County Top)
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Kirriereoch Hill
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Kirriereoch Hill
Elevation: 782m
Coordinates: 55° 9' 11'' N, 4° 28' 53'' W
Links: Wikipedia (Ayrshire), Wikipedia (South Ayrshire), Wikipedia (Kirrieroch Hill), Peakbagger

For both peaks:
Date climbed: 24th September 2021
Route Start / End: Upper Bruce's Stone Car Park, Newton Stewart, DG8 6SU
Route Distance: 16.7 km (10.4 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 1,114m
Subsidiary tops on route: Benyellary (719m), Kirriereoch Hill (786m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Merrick Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 7 passes through Upper Bruce’s Stone Car Park
Map: OS Explorer Map (318) Galloway Forest Park North
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir)

After an overnight in nearby Newton Stewart we tackled the big climb of the trip. Merrick is the highest point in the Historic County of Kirkcudbrightshire, the Present-Day County of Dumfries and Galloway and both the highest peak in the Southern Uplands and Southern Scotland.

The Merrick Trail is a well marked path leading from Upper Bruce’s Stone Car Park to the summit. Before you start the walk, take 10 minutes to see the carved granite stone that commemorates victory over an English army during the Scottish Wars of Independence in 1307.

On a clear, warm day this would have been a wonderful walk. From the summit you can see Snowdon, 144 miles away on the longest line of sight in the British Isles. This wasn’t the day to see anything. After the bothy and the forest section, the mist turned to cloud and we only saw what was 10m in front of us. By the time we reached the Trig Pillar at the summit there was also strong wind and rain. This would have been a great time to turn back and head down to a warmer, clearer elevation.

There was no turning back though as we still had another County Top to visit. The high point of Ayrshire is just beyond the summit of Kirriereoch Hill approximately 2km from the summit of Merrick. We relied on the GPX track as the path was hard to make out in the fog. Kirriereoch Hill’s summit is well marked by a pile of stones. From here, the County Top of Ayrshire is 100m to the north just beyond the remains of an old stone wall. The map on my phone showed the county boundary about 20m beyond the wall. Although it wasn’t completely clear exactly where the County Top was, we at least stopped by several possibilities.

From Kirriereoch Hill, the path continues north to a series of other summits. We had already got what we came for and turned back to re-trace our steps back over Merrick and down to the Bruce’s Stone. With the big one done, we drove 2 hours north-east to Strathaven, our overnight stop before the next set of peaks.

Culter Fell

Significance: Highest peak in Lanarkshire (Historic County Top), Highest peak in South Lanarkshire (Present Day County Top)
Member of: Marilyn, Graham, Donald
Parent Peak: Broad Law
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Broad Law
Elevation: 748m
Date climbed: 25th September 2021
Coordinates: 55° 32' 46'' N, 3° 30' 10'' W

Route Start / End: Layby on right hand side of minor road south of Culter Allers Farm
Route Distance: 7.1 km (4.4 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 484m
Subsidiary tops on route: None
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
OS Trig Pillar: TP2681 - Culter Fell
Map: OS Explorer Map 336 Biggar and Broughton
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir)
Links: Wikipedia (Lanarkshire), Wikipedia (South Lanarkshire), Wikipedia (Culter Fell), Peakbagger

Culter Fell was our first of 3 peaks, covering 4 counties, located close together to the north-east of Moffat. It’s possible to do all three on a single day with an early start and enough light. It was a Saturday and we also needed to get in a parkrun, so we did a combination of Lanark Moor parkrun, with Culter Fell and Broad Law.

There’s enough parking for several cars on a large layby near Culter Allers Farm. From here you can follow the road south, crossing over Culter Water stream. You’re now on private land which is open to walkers but occasionally closed for shooting. You can call 01899 204010 to check access or to request permission for groups of over 4.

Approximately 1km from the layby leave the road and follow a track, then a path, ascending to the south-east. The path to the Trig Pillar at the summit is well marked and difficult to miss even in low visibility as we had. Options at the summit are to return the same way, as we did, or continue south, then south-west to Coulter Head Reservoir and return back along the road.

Broad Law

Significance: Highest peak in Peeblesshire and Selkirkshire (Historic County Top), Upper Tweeddale NSA High Point
Member of: Marilyn, Corbett, Donald
Parent Peak: Merrick
Nearest Higher Neighbour: Merrick
Elevation: 840m
Date climbed: 25th September 2021
Coordinates: 55° 29' 53'' N, 3° 21' 10'' W

Route Start / End: Layby next to Megget Stone, Biggar, ML12 6QR
Route Distance: 7.4 km (4.6 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 372m
Subsidiary tops on route: None
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
OS Trig Pillar: TP1647 - Broad Law
Map: OS Explorer Map 330 Moffat and St Mary's Loch
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir)
Links: Wikipedia (Peeblesshire), Wikipedia (Selkirkshire), Wikipedia (Broad Law), Peakbagger

Looking back on our Broad Law walk a week after we did it, it’s hard to distinguish it from our Culter Fell walk. With a similar distance, elevation change and exactly the same thick fog, both have blurred into one. With better visibility I’m sure the view from Broad Law would have been impressive given its height, just 3m lower than Merrick. We couldn’t even see the large air navigation beacon close to the Trig Pillar on the summit.

Navigation is very easy as the path follows the boundary fence all the way from the road to the summit. The fence is low at the top making it very easy to cross the border to make sure you’ve bagged both of the County Tops on this peak.

White Coomb, our next peak is less than 9km as the crow flies from the Broad Law summit or a 30 minute drive between each parking spot. We’d had enough adventure for one day so came back the following day for the final peak of the trip.

Note that Dun Rig is another contender for the Historic County Top of the former county of Selkirkshire. See the reference to this in the Wikipedia article for Broad Law for details. Although I might return to bag that one later for completeness, I’m happy to claim Selkirkshire for now based on following the list in Jonny Muir’s UK County Tops book.

White Coomb

Significance: Highest peak in Dumfriesshire (Historic County Top)
Member of: Marilyn, Corbett, Donald
Parent Peak: Broad Law
Nearest Higher Neighbour:
Elevation: 821m
Date climbed: 26th September 2021
Coordinates: 55° 25' 21'' N, 3° 19' 25'' W

Route Start / End: National Trust for Scotland Car Park, Grey Mare's Tail Nature Reserve, Moffat Water Valley, DG10 9LP
Route Distance: 6.3 km (3.9 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 575m
Subsidiary tops on route: None
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Map: OS Explorer Map 330 Moffat and St Mary's Loch
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir)
Links: Wikipedia (Dumfriesshire), Wikipedia (White Coomb), Peakbagger

The walk to White Coomb starts at the busy National Trust Car Park at Grey Mare’s Tail. From here the steep path to the right hand side of Tail Burn stream takes most walkers up to Loch Skeen. Follow this for 1.25km to the top of the waterfall where you can cross the stream via some stepping stones. You’ll see a faint path leading down to the stepping stones and the stone dyke wall on the other side. Once crossed, follow the well marked path to the right of the wall to the flat grassy top of White Coomb. You’ll need to leave the path and cross the dyke for the final 20m to the summit which is marked by a pile of stones.

A return option from the summit would be to return to the path and continue on it in a clockwise direction around the loch then back to the car park. With only a few hours until our flight back from Glasgow we returned by the same route, completing the walk within 2 hours.

Other High Points in the Scottish Borders Area

Blackcraig Hill. 700 metres, East Ayrshire Present Day County High Point: Peakbagger
Cort-ma Law East Top. 527 metres, North Lanarkshire Present Day County High Point: Peakbagger
Corse Hill. 376 metres, East Renfrewshire Present Day County High Point: Peakbagger

Other High Point in the Historic County of Lanarkshire

Cort-ma Law - East Top 527m, North Lanarkshire Present Day County High Point: Peakbagger

Back to Scottish County Tops Index

Richard gower26 September 2021Trek, UK County Tops, Mountain, Trig Pillar, Wigtownshire, Ayrshire, Kirkcudbrightshire, Lanarkshire, Peeblesshire, Selkirkshire, Dumfriesshire, ScotlandComment

Cycling from Land's End To John O'Groats

The Land’s End To John O’Groats (LEJOG) cycle trip had been on my back burner for a very long time. It started 21 years ago when I was planning my Queen’s Scout Award. The Award was similar to the Duke Of Edinburgh Award and required a big expedition. I chose to do a cycling trip and needed to find a route greater than the 200 mile minimum requirement. Andrew, my expedition partner, and I briefly considered LEJOG but the distance was way more than required and, at the time, seemed like a bit too much effort. Maidenhead, our hometown, to Lands End at 350 miles was more like it.

That summer was amazing. The years have probably erased all memories of the tough spots and any bad weather, so all I remember now is endless sunny days and pleasant glides through the South-West countryside. We cycled 60 miles a day, stayed in Youth Hostels and survived on Diet Coke and White Chocolate Magnum ice-creams. The 6 day trip to Land’s End was my first big adventure and it definitely wasn't going to be the last. Ever since then the full Land’s End To John O’Groats trip was something I had to do ... just not right now.

Right after that trip I started working for Mars and the next few years was all about work and socialising. 4 years living abroad was a whole different adventure in itself and the LEJOG idea sunk into the very back of my mind. It was only in my mid-30s that I started to get back into the outdoors in a big way. After the Kilimanjaro trek in 2013 I started planning my next big trip and the LEJOG idea started to bubble up again. Two more things then happened to bring it right to the front. The first was turning 40 and thoughts around finishing off things that I wanted to do. The second was planning the Growlerthon, my fundraising year in memory of my dad who was diagnosed with lung cancer shortly after Kili. Back burner no more .... I had to do LEJOG.

Putting the team together was relatively easy. Slobby did the trip 2 years before and was up for doing it again. Brian, my Kili buddy, was also an easy “yes”. Brian recruited the rest of the team: Martyn and Ray, both from our office and both with different personal charity and fitness goals, and Reggie, Brian's brother. By early January we had the team together and the next few months was all about training and route planning.

We had all heard of different routes, from the 41 hours record to a very sedate month-long LEJOG pub crawl. 2 weeks seemed the most obvious duration as it was about as much time as we could get off work and the 75 mile average day was very manageable. This plan meant we could stay off the busy A roads as much as possible and get as much scenery in as possible. By the time we all met up in Penzance the evening before the start, we had reached a peak of excitement. We had done all we could to prepare, train and fundraise. Now all we had to do was cycle.

We took Day 1 easy, just 35 miles to Falmouth. A little hilly, but nothing to complain about and a good dose of coastal route scenery. It was the next 2 days, Falmouth to Exford, that were the real test. Most people assume that Scotland is the toughest section for hills, but its actually Devon and Cornwall. This is part of the reason to start at Lands-End so that you can knock off the coastal hills while your legs are fresh. This would have been fine, except that I was still getting used to my new road-bike and I still wasn’t used to the gears. There were several points on the first few days when I thought I’d broken my bike by changing to the wrong gear at the wrong time up a hill.

By Day 4 we’d got into a flow, having got used to being together as a team and perfecting the routine of every day on the road. Each day we would get up at around 7:30, have breakfast, kit-up and tackle the first 15 to 20 miles. Then would come morning break, usually coffee and carrot cake, followed by another 20 miles before lunch. The afternoons were similar: 20 miles, then coffee and cake and the final push through to wherever we were staying that evening. We even got the evenings down to a fine art with some of us sorting out payment for the hostel, some sorting out clothes washing whilst the others showered.

Whilst a lot of the process of doing the trip became routine, the adventure was in the route itself. England, Wales and Scotland unfolded before us, showing us some of the best parts of the countryside. Towards the end of the trip we about our favourite parts but there were too many to bring it down to a short-list. Often we would post on Facebook about that day having been the best of the trip, only for the next day to be just a enjoyable or even better. My video of the highlights is probably the best way to explain how amazing the trip was.

One special moment for me was the evening in Wick, our final overnight stop after our longest day at 105 miles. We were less than 2 cycling hours from John O’Groats so there was already a feeling of celebration. We’d already been spared punctures or major injuries so getting to the end was inevitable, even if we had to walk. Wick really has a sense of being at the end of the country. It was fairly bleak, even in summer, and we wondered what people did there. Over a few pints a a curry we talked about the hilly South-West from 2 weeks ago, the exhilarating downhill rides into Exford, the Strawberry Line to Bristol, crossing the Severn Bridge, The Wye Valley, the ferry across the Mersey, the Lake District, Gretna, Arran, the Great Glenn and the Scottish coast. All very different experiences and even more special to have been able to join them up in one self-powered adventure.

After all of that, the final was a bit of an anti-climax. From Wick, we only had 17 miles to go, normally the distance till our first carrot cake stop. This 17 miles contained the most rain we'd had apart from the Lake District. John O’Groats quickly came and we were greeted by Martyn's family and friends who had followed us since Arran. The next part was ultra efficient, disassembling and boxing up the bikes, driving to Inverness airport and boarding the plane to Gatwick. After 2 weeks of being very present and fully focused on the trip, suddenly it was all over. I’d had a nice sense of completion for the adventure that I'd had in my mind for 21 years, but it didn't feel like an end, more the inspiration for something new. From John O’Groats, there's 2 ways to go, North by boat to Orkney or carry on West to Dunnet Head, the mainland’s most northerly point, then the wild Scottish coast. I'm sure I'll be back for both, but a lot sooner than 21 years.

Day 1: Land’s End to Falmouth

Date: July 6th 2015
Start: Land’s End Visitors Centre, Sennen, Penzance TR19 7AA
Finish: Falmouth Lodge Backpackers Hostel, 9 Gyllyngvase Terrace, Falmouth, TR11 4DL
Distance: 60.4 km (37.5 miles)
Elevation change: +757m / - 798 m / Net -41m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (Cycle): NCN 3
Other Routes Touched (Walk): South West Coast Path

Day 2: Falmouth to Tintagel

Date: July 7th 2015
Start: Falmouth Lodge Backpackers Hostel, 9 Gyllyngvase Terrace, Falmouth, TR11 4DL
Finish: YHA Tintagel, Dunderhole Point, Tintagel PL34 0DW
Distance: 88.8 km (55.2 miles)
Elevation Change: +1,333m / - 1,289 m / Net +44m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (Cycle): NCN 3, 32
Other Routes Touched (Walk): South West Coast Path

Day 3: Tintagel to Exford

Date: July 8th 2015
Start: YHA Tintagel, Dunderhole Point, Tintagel PL34 0DW
Finish: Exford Hostel, Exemead Stables, Exford, Minehead TA24 7PU
Distance: 118.6 km (73.7 miles)
Elevation change: : +1,641m / - 1,457 m / Net -184m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (Cycle): NCN 27, 277, 3, 33
Other Routes Touched (Walk): South West Coast Path, Tarka Trail, Macmillan Way West, Two Moors Way, Exe Valley Way

Day 4: Exford to Bristol

Date: July 9th 2015
Start: Exford Hostel, Exemead Stables, Exford, Minehead, TA24 7PU
Finish: YHA Bristol, 14 Narrow Quay, Avon, Bristol BS1 4QA
Distance: 122 km (76 miles)
Elevation change: : +875m / - 1,120 m / Net -245m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (Cycle): NCN 26 (The Strawberry Line), 3, 33, 334, 41, 410
Other Routes Touched (Walk): Exe Valley Way, Coleridge Way, Macmillan Way West, River Parrett Trail, The Mendip Trail, West Mendip Way, Round Yatton Walk, River Avon Trail,

Day 5: Bristol to Hereford

Date: July 10th 2015
Start: YHA Bristol, 14 Narrow Quay, Avon, Bristol BS1 4QA
Finish: East Friars B&B, 33 Greyfriars Avenue, Hereford, HR4 0BE
Distance: 84 km (52.2 miles)
Elevation change: +1,047m / - 1,007 m / Net +40m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (Cycle): NCN 4, 41, 410, 42, 423, 46,
Other Routes Touched (Walk): Bristol Triangular City Walk, Severn Way, Wales Coast Path, Wye Valley Walk, Offa’s Dyke Path, Gloucestershire Way, Herefordshire Trail,

Day 6: Hereford to Chester

Date: July 11th 2015
Start: East Friars B&B, 33 Greyfriars Avenue, Hereford, HR4 0BE
Finish: Grotty hotel in Chester City Centre, CH1 3DU
Distance: 149.4 km (92.8 miles)
Elevation change: +1,035m / - 1,066 m / Net -31m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (Cycle): NCN 44, 45, 455, 81,
Other Routes Touched (Walk): Herefordshire Trail, Shropshire Way, Jack Mytton Way, Severn Way, Llangolen Canal Towpath, Maelor Way, Marches Way, Baker Way, Two Saints Way, Shropshire Union Canal Towpath,

Day 7: Chester to Morecambe

Date: July 12th 2015
Start: Grotty hotel in Chester City Centre, CH1 3DU
Finish: The Morecambe Bay Hotel, 317-318 Marine Rd Central, Morecambe LA4 5AA
Distance: 122.9 km (76.4 miles)
Elevation change: +627m / - 642 m / Net -15m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (Cycle): NCN 56, 568, 6, 62, 622, 69, 810,
Other Routes Touched (Walk): Shropshire Union Canal Towpath, Longster Trail, North Cheshire Way, Ribble Way, Lancaster Canal Towpath,

Day 8: Morecambe to Carlisle

Date: July 13th 2015
Start: The Morecambe Bay Hotel, 317-318 Marine Rd Central, Morecambe LA4 5AA
Finish: YHA Carlisle (now permanently closed), Bridge Ln, Carlisle CA2 5SR
Distance: 123.2 km (76.5 miles)
Elevation change: +1,172m / - 1,161 m / Net +11m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (Cycle): NCN 10, 6, 69, 7, 70, 71, 700
Other Routes Touched (Walk): Lancashire Coastal Way, Cumbria Coastal Way, Coast To Coast Walk, Cumbria Way,

Day 9: Carlisle to New Cumnock

Date: July 14th 2015
Start: YHA Carlisle (now permanently closed), Bridge Ln, Carlisle CA2 5SR
Finish: Old School B&B, Dalleagles, New Cumnock, East Ayrshire, KA18 4QW
Distance: 126.5 km (78.6 miles)
Elevation change: +921m / - 707 m / Net -214m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (Cycle): NCN 10, 7, 72
Other Routes Touched (Walk): Hadrian’s Wall Path, Annandale Way, Southern Upland Way,

Day 10: New Cumnock to Lochgilphead

Date: July 15th 2015
Start: Old School B&B, Dalleagles, New Cumnock, East Ayrshire, KA18 4QW
Finish: Empire Lodge B&B, Union St Lochgilphead, Lochgilphead, PA31 8JS,
Distance: 131.8 km (81.9 miles)
Elevation change: +1,213m / -1,437 m / Net -224m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (Cycle): NCN 7, 73, 78
Other Routes Touched (Walk): River Ayr Way, New Town Trail, Arran Coastal Way, Kyntire Way

Day 11: Lochgilphead to Fort William

Date: July 16th 2015
Start: Empire Lodge B&B, Union St Lochgilphead, Lochgilphead, PA31 8JS,
Finish: Glen Nevis Youth Hostel, Glen Nevis, Fort William PH33 6SY
Elevation change: 135.6 km (84.3 miles)
Ascent: +1,554m / -1,535 m / Net -19m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (Cycle): NCN 78
Other Routes Touched (Walk): Great Glen Way, West Highland Way

Day 12: Fort William to Inverness

Date: July 17th 2015
Start: Glen Nevis Youth Hostel, Glen Nevis, Fort William PH33 6SY
Finish: Inverness Youth Hostel, Victoria Dr, Inverness IV2 3QB
Elevation change: 107.9 km (67 miles)
Ascent: +1,197m / -1,206 m / Net -9m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (Cycle): NCN 1, 7, 78
Other Routes Touched (Walk): West Highland Way, East Highland Way, Great Glen Way

Day 13: Inverness to Wick

Date: July 18th 2015
Start: Inverness Youth Hostel, Victoria Dr, Inverness IV2 3QB
Finish: Harbour House B&B, 12 Harbour Terrace, Wick KW1 5HB
Distance: 167.1 km (103.8 miles)
Elevation change: +1,471m / - 1,486 m / Net -15m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (Cycle): NCN 1
Other Routes Touched (Walk): none

Day 14: Wick to John O’ Groats

Date: July 19th 2015
Start: Harbour House B&B, 12 Harbour Terrace, Wick KW1 5HB
Finish: John O’ Groats Visitors Centre, John O' Groats, Wick KW1 4YR
Distance: 27.6 km (17.1 miles)
Elevation change: +203m / - 213 m / Net -10m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other Routes Touched (Cycle): NCN 1
Other Routes Touched (Walk): none

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