Ullapool to Ardgay challenge for Long Distance Walkers Association group’s 10th anniversary
Keen walkers will be lacing up their boots for a long-distance challenge in the Highlands next summer.
The North of Scotland group of the Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA) is marking its 10th anniversary with a special coast-to-coast walk.
It will see entrants trek the 36-mile route from Ullapool to Ardgay – the shortest distance from west to east in Scotland – on Saturday, June 28.
The route will follow mostly mountain tracks and paths, with a quiet minor road for the last 10 miles. Organisers say it will take in some of the most spectacular scenery in the country, including Loch Achall, East Rhidorroch, Strath Cuileannach and Strathcarron.
With 2107ft of ascent, they describe the cross-country route as “relatively low level”.
The event will be based at Ardgay Community Hall, with walkers transported by coach to the start in the morning. Walkers will then be given 15 hours to complete the challenge, and there will be three checkpoints – two in bothies and the other in the open air at Croik where the route meets the public road.
Refreshments will be available at the checkpoints, where walkers will be able to attend to issues such as blisters, and where they can be transported back to the start if they wish to retire.
Specially designed badges and completion certificates will be awarded to entrants at the finish, where they will be given a hot meal.
The LDWA is a national association of people who enjoy long walks, and has around 10,000 members. There are 42 groups nationwide, with three in Scotland.
North of Scotland LDWA, formed in 2015, is the association’s youngest group, and the Highland Coast to Coast is the main event being organised to mark its 10th anniversary.
The group hopes that members from throughout the LDWA will enter, as well as walkers in Scotland who do not yet belong to the association.
Entries for the Highland Coast to Coast open on January 1, costing £35 for LDWA members and £45 for non-members. Entry will be via https://www.sientries.co.uk, the online system used for running, walking and orienteering events.
Co-organiser for the event is Julie Cribb, currently national LDWA chairperson. The other co-organiser is Graham Smith, who lives in Tain and can be contacted for more information about the event on n.scot.ldwa@gmail.com
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