Scottish Islands Peaks Race

These routes have been selected to keep you safe and give a smaller search area for rescue. There are no short cuts and all the check points must be observed. On island routes, a numbered tag must be left whenever a checkpoint is passed (including on return legs) and at the run finish.

Running checkpoints are placed on features as per the provided descriptions. Six-figure grid references are also provided for clarity, but please remember that these numbers describe a 100x100m box containing the checkpoint, rather than its specific location.

Ordnance Survey Sheets: 48 Ben More and 49 Oban and East Mull; 61 Jura; 69 Arran (all 1:50,000) or equivalent 1:25,000 O/S maps are required for each runner, must be laminated or carried in a waterproof case.

The race starts with a run from the roadside at Oban Sailing Club heading North along the shore road. Note, there will be marshals at all road junctions and the hill summit. The route will not be flagged but will be marked with yellow spray paint. Bear right up Glenmore Road and up the steep Haggart’s Brae to re-join Glenmore Rd. Bear right at the top and then left onto Pulpit Drive. After 100m, take the path signposted `Footpath to Kerrera Ferry’. One mile later, Kerrera Sound comes into view. Do not take the path to the ferry but keep left and follow the cart track which continues to head SW, skirting around a new croft development.

On meeting the lane, turn right through gate and head downhill. Towards the bottom, at a sharp LH bend, leave the lane and head for the marshal on top of Dun Uabairtich. After leaving the top runners must pass to the left of all fences. No gates, stiles or fences should be crossed on the return route. Descend to cross Kerrera Ferry footpath and after 150 metres climb left up left hand fork in footpath towards cliff tops. On approaching the cliff top, beware of dangerous gulley and head NW (right) along the cliff top path and continue to take the upper path along the cliff top. Eventually further progress is blocked by a fence/stile and the path turns left down a prominent gulley above Kilbowie.

Take care re-joining the road at Kilbowie and return along the shore road to the Oban Sailing Club House. Please ensure that you cross the finishing line together. The first pair of runners home wins the Oban Slip Trophy. Runners cross the finish line before heading for their yacht’s dinghy and their crewman waiting on the beach between the Sailing Club Pier and the Borrow Boats Pier. Before boarding their dinghies, runners and crew must don and secure their lifejackets.

Land at Salen control point in the bay past the first old pier and close by the few remaining stumps of the derelict pier (NM 578 441). The area between the old pier and the control point is the curtilage of the cottages to the side of the pier and therefore must not be crossed by runners. After the 5 minute kit check by marshals and allocation of the tags run to Salen and then along the B8035 to Knock and then left along the track on the SW of Loch Ba to tag check point at the forest road/track junction (NM 568 371).

Classes 1,2,3,4,5, run up Glen Clachaig and Mhic Fhionnlaidh on to the spur of Ben More and traverse south of the subsidiary top A’Chioch to tag check point on Ben More summit (NM 525 330). Descend NW through Coire nam Fuaran to tag check point at stream junction on upper Abhainn Disaig burn (NM 518 338). Then proceed E over spur and traverse round Lag a’Bhasdair to tag check point on lower col between Beinn Fhada ridge and A’Chioch spur (NM 537 344). Descend E down into Glen Clachaig and return to tag checkpoint at the forest road/track junction (NM 568 371) (Loch Ba). Return to Knock and return along the B8035 to Salen control point and hand in your final tag to the marshals before boarding your dinghy for the sail to Jura.

(N.B. The dangerous cliffs and unstable boulder fields on the Paps need extreme care.) Land on or between Craighouse timber pier and the old stone pier. Check in at the Community Hall control point along from the Jura Hotel.After the 5 minute kit check by marshals and allocation of the tags, take the road NE on The Long Road.

SENIOR AND YOUTH TEAMS DIVERGE HERE

Either turn left at Kiels (NR530 681) and go to first check point at Beinn a’Chaolais  via Glen Astaile or alternatively  follow the tarmac road to Jura Forest (GR535 700) and then via Glen Astaile to first check point at Beinn a’Chaolais . The check point is on the summit at (NR 488 734). Leaving the top of Chaolais, detour E slightly to avoid the cliffs (not marked on 1: 50,000 OS) and down to the check point at Na Garbh Lochanan (NR 495 740). Ascend Beinn an Oir where there is another check point (NR 498 749) and descend direct for Beinn Shiantaidh. Cross the col at NR 505 748 and a grassy gully beckons you up Shiantaidh, coming out near the summit where there is another check point (NR 513 747). Descend by any route to the check point at the three arch bridge (NR 544 720) where there is a final check point, before returning to the hall along the road to hand in the last tag.

Land at Lamlash Pier. Note that the area round the pier is surrounded by moorings and the water is very shallow close to and west of the pier. At night, the pier will be marked by yellow flashing lights.