The general plan
WALKERS
Previous events have taught us that the MOST COMFORTABLE way AND the most popular, is the first option: 15 miles on day one and 21 miles on day two. To do this you must arrive in Bonar Bridge before 10am to be taken by hired bus to Croik and then walk back to Bonar Bridge in time to catch another hired bus at 5pm to take you to Ullapool to spend the night at the Caledonian Hotel.
CYCLISTS
All cyclists and those walkers who have opted for option 2 can meet at Bonar Bridge on Saturday at 5pm, leave cars there and travel by hired bus to Ullapool, to spend the night at the Caledonian Hotel.
Should any cyclist feel he/she wishes to take option 1 and cycle 11 miles on day one and 25 miles on day two should arrive at Bonar Bridge by 1pm. You will then be ferried up to Croik and be expected back in Bonar Bridge to load up your bicycle and board the coach taking you to Ullapool. There will be only one bus run up to Lubhonnich at 1pm.
HORSES
The horses should be taken to Ullapool for around 1pm. We ride seven miles from Ullapool to “The Lodge” on the Saturday and leave the horses to graze there on the Saturday night. A land rover will ferry us back to Ullapool once we have settled the horses. All horses should be corralled. A vet is usually available should anything go wrong - but there is no farrier. On Sunday we begin our ride from The Lodge at around 10am. It might be necessary to put a limit on the number of horses.
THE SUPPORT
Each year support is provided in the form of transport and people willing to give up a weekend to allow the event to take place. This support is vital to the success of the event.
ALL PARTICIPANTS
We book the Caledonian Hotel for those who wish, but if not, there are many good B&B’s, a youth hostel and campsite. After dinner hopefully there may be music or other forms of entertainment offered by participants – and of course the hotel bar! Or, have we any participants who can entertain us?
All availing themselves of the coach to Ullapool on the Saturday have, of course, left their cars at Bonar Bridge. You take your overnight gear and rucksack to Ullapool on the bus. You’ll need your rucksack on the walk on Sunday; your overnight case will be taken back to Bonar by mini bus and kept there until you collect it on the Sunday.
On Sunday, regardless of the options, all walkers begin from the quarry just north of Ullapool around 8am. Cyclists usually start around 9.30am. At the end of the walk, walkers will be picked up at the previous day’s start point and taken back to your cars at Bonar Bridge. Those doing the full 36 miles in one day will of course keep walking!
Cyclists requiring transport of bicycles to Ullapool will be catered for. Please indicate your needs on the registration form.
Previous events have taught us that the MOST COMFORTABLE way AND the most popular, is the first option: 15 miles on day one and 21 miles on day two. To do this you must arrive in Bonar Bridge before 10am to be taken by hired bus to Croik and then walk back to Bonar Bridge in time to catch another hired bus at 5pm to take you to Ullapool to spend the night at the Caledonian Hotel.
CYCLISTS
All cyclists and those walkers who have opted for option 2 can meet at Bonar Bridge on Saturday at 5pm, leave cars there and travel by hired bus to Ullapool, to spend the night at the Caledonian Hotel.
Should any cyclist feel he/she wishes to take option 1 and cycle 11 miles on day one and 25 miles on day two should arrive at Bonar Bridge by 1pm. You will then be ferried up to Croik and be expected back in Bonar Bridge to load up your bicycle and board the coach taking you to Ullapool. There will be only one bus run up to Lubhonnich at 1pm.
HORSES
The horses should be taken to Ullapool for around 1pm. We ride seven miles from Ullapool to “The Lodge” on the Saturday and leave the horses to graze there on the Saturday night. A land rover will ferry us back to Ullapool once we have settled the horses. All horses should be corralled. A vet is usually available should anything go wrong - but there is no farrier. On Sunday we begin our ride from The Lodge at around 10am. It might be necessary to put a limit on the number of horses.
THE SUPPORT
Each year support is provided in the form of transport and people willing to give up a weekend to allow the event to take place. This support is vital to the success of the event.
- Mini buses and vans are given free of charge by Robertson Builders and Moray College. Drivers use these vehicles to ferry participants to various parts of the walk and to bring back overnight baggage, leaving walkers free to carry the minimum on the walk.
- There is a river crossing half way through the walk and every year scouts from Keith build a bridge there and set up a soup kitchen – a most welcome stop.
- Safety, First Aid, Communications and Off-road Logistical support is provided by COTAG 4x4 Response who also man check points to ensure that all participants are safely managed. They will arrange for the safe extraction of any entrant who finds themselves in difficulty.
- Grazing for the horses is provided by one of the Landowners, and a vet is on hand in case his services are required.
ALL PARTICIPANTS
We book the Caledonian Hotel for those who wish, but if not, there are many good B&B’s, a youth hostel and campsite. After dinner hopefully there may be music or other forms of entertainment offered by participants – and of course the hotel bar! Or, have we any participants who can entertain us?
All availing themselves of the coach to Ullapool on the Saturday have, of course, left their cars at Bonar Bridge. You take your overnight gear and rucksack to Ullapool on the bus. You’ll need your rucksack on the walk on Sunday; your overnight case will be taken back to Bonar by mini bus and kept there until you collect it on the Sunday.
On Sunday, regardless of the options, all walkers begin from the quarry just north of Ullapool around 8am. Cyclists usually start around 9.30am. At the end of the walk, walkers will be picked up at the previous day’s start point and taken back to your cars at Bonar Bridge. Those doing the full 36 miles in one day will of course keep walking!
Cyclists requiring transport of bicycles to Ullapool will be catered for. Please indicate your needs on the registration form.
RESPONSIBILITIES and CONDITIONS
Although the walk does not require any great degree of navigational or mountaineering skills, it is nevertheless a strenuous, lengthy walk of 25 or 36 miles, in a remote area and demands considerable personal fitness.
Walk covers O.S. maps numbers 19, 20 and 21. Landranger 1:50000
There is no obligation to walk, cycle or ride as a group. Proceed at your own pace, though it would be best to walk or ride in groups if you are uncertain of the route or if this is your first time.
Each person has to be responsible for him/herself:
Bring sufficient food and liquid for both days. On Sunday you will be served soup and a dry roll plus fruit and chocolate at the scout camp (about 14 miles into the walk).
Be mindful of the Scottish weather – we can experience all seasons in one day. Wear, and carry suitable clothing, eg, waterproofs, fleece, hat, gloves.
Most of the way is on landrover/ drover’s track (Ullapool to Croik) and tarred road (Croik to Bonar Bridge)- please wear appropriate footwear – if dry, trainers are quite appropriate on the tarred road – stout walking boots are better for the Sunday. It can be very boggy in places. If you do not have waterproof boots please bring two black plastic bags to put on if crossing a wet area.
Carry a first-aid kit and spare socks. I recommend COMPEED plasters for blisters.
All cyclists must wear a helmet and attach a waterproof identity tag to the bicycle – particularly if you require transport of your bike.
All riders must wear a riding hat. The track is quite stoney, and there are long sections in walk. There are frequent streams (and one river) to cross. The horses must be reasonably fit, and at all times riders are responsible for their own safety, as well as that of their horse(s). For long stretches there is no emergency access for trailers.
For safety reasons we have several opt out points en route on the Sunday. Two support vehicles follow the route and will pick up anyone in difficulty.
Whilst every precaution will be taken to ensure the Trek is a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, all those taking part do so at their own risk and the organiser, May Gilchrist, and Macmillan Cancer Support cannot accept responsibility for any accident, injury, loss of property or expense incurred by any participant.
We we wish you to enjoy the full benefits of the experience, but any participant deviating from the suggested arrangements does so at their own risk.
Walk covers O.S. maps numbers 19, 20 and 21. Landranger 1:50000
There is no obligation to walk, cycle or ride as a group. Proceed at your own pace, though it would be best to walk or ride in groups if you are uncertain of the route or if this is your first time.
Each person has to be responsible for him/herself:
Bring sufficient food and liquid for both days. On Sunday you will be served soup and a dry roll plus fruit and chocolate at the scout camp (about 14 miles into the walk).
Be mindful of the Scottish weather – we can experience all seasons in one day. Wear, and carry suitable clothing, eg, waterproofs, fleece, hat, gloves.
Most of the way is on landrover/ drover’s track (Ullapool to Croik) and tarred road (Croik to Bonar Bridge)- please wear appropriate footwear – if dry, trainers are quite appropriate on the tarred road – stout walking boots are better for the Sunday. It can be very boggy in places. If you do not have waterproof boots please bring two black plastic bags to put on if crossing a wet area.
Carry a first-aid kit and spare socks. I recommend COMPEED plasters for blisters.
All cyclists must wear a helmet and attach a waterproof identity tag to the bicycle – particularly if you require transport of your bike.
All riders must wear a riding hat. The track is quite stoney, and there are long sections in walk. There are frequent streams (and one river) to cross. The horses must be reasonably fit, and at all times riders are responsible for their own safety, as well as that of their horse(s). For long stretches there is no emergency access for trailers.
For safety reasons we have several opt out points en route on the Sunday. Two support vehicles follow the route and will pick up anyone in difficulty.
Whilst every precaution will be taken to ensure the Trek is a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, all those taking part do so at their own risk and the organiser, May Gilchrist, and Macmillan Cancer Support cannot accept responsibility for any accident, injury, loss of property or expense incurred by any participant.
We we wish you to enjoy the full benefits of the experience, but any participant deviating from the suggested arrangements does so at their own risk.