I started TGOC 2025 at Sheil Bridge on the west coast of Scotland and reached Kinnaber Links on the east coast, to the north of Montrose, 14 days later. A distance of just under 300 Km and approximately of 6,270 Meters of uphill. Not a particularly taxing route.

I made the usual preparation in training and packing. From September I started doing longer walks with a pack, steadily increasing the weight.

I checked that my tent was waterproof and did not have any damage. I washed my waterproof jacket with a waterproofing agent. When I arrived in the UK I purchased new dry bags for my sleeping bag and the few spare clothes.

Every year there are a few items that go in and out of the backpack as I try to lighten my load.

The sun block, UV protected shirt, a spare hiking trousers and socks were left out. This small reduction in weight, along with regular re-supply points, made the days easier. Thankfully the sun hat made it to the final packing.

For the first 3 weeks of May 2025 Scotland had no rain or clouds. It was the first TGOC in many years of 2 weeks of blue skies and very hot. This was good for river crossings but bad for resupply of water. A lot of the burns were dry or just small pools.

The cloud free nights made the stars and planets appear very bright and there is no light pollution when camping in the hills. Most nights it was too cold to remain out of the sleeping bag to enjoy them. Especially the night at Derry Lodge. My cooking gas was in the tent but next morning it was too cold to vaporize so I could not boil water for coffee.

Mar Lodge and Braemar are popular meeting places for challengers. Many routes converge there and I met friends from previous events. After re-hydrating with malt based drinks, and getting washing done at the Braemar campsite it was time to get back in the hills.

I visited Ryovan, Gelder Shiel and Shielin of Mark bothies on the way to Glen Lee, via Muckle cairn. Then to Tarfside and North Water Bridge.

I arrived at Montrose feeling fit and well. I will be back, hopefully for a few more years.

Previous TGOCs

Click the links below to read about my previous TGOCs. TGOC 2025 was my 7^th completed TGOC – I had to retire in 2018 and 2024:

• The Great Outdoor Challenge (TGOC) 2023: Mallaig to Portlethen
• The Great Outdoor Challenge (TGOC) 2019
• The Great Outdoor Challenge (TGOC) 2018
• A short walk through Knoydart, Kinloch Hourn, River Croe and Glen Affric in Scotland in 2017
• The Great Outdoor Challenge (TGOC) 2016
• The Great Outdoor Challenge (TGOC) 2015 – Scotland
• The Great Outdoor Challenge (TGOC) 2015 – Scotland. A walk to the Park!
• The Great Outdoor Challenge (TGOC) 2012 & 2013. A 14 day hike across Scotland