The Great Outdoor Challenge celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2019. It was conceived by Hamish Brown as a self-supported backpacking crossing of Scotland. Roger Smith was the editor of the TGO Magazine and he supported the idea when Hamish approached him.
There are no categories or prizes. Everyone gets the same T-shirt, thanks to Berghaus for a good one this year, and cup of tea when you arrive at the Park Hotel in Montrose.
The rules are few and very simple. You choose your start point from a list, plot your own route, and walk every step to the East Coast. Camping along the way. Simple. The format has not changed in the 40 years.
When the +30Km day with over 1000 meters climb in typical Scotland weather of cold rain and maybe snow, or as in 2019 30DegC with no wind or shade, arrives you wonder what you were thinking in December in the the comfort of your home looking at maps spread flat on a table. But you plod on and by evening have found a wild camp by a burn. After a rehydrated meal and a sip of single malt, or rum, there is no other place I would rather be. No five star hotel could offer me better accommodation.
Every year I visit a different area. This year was the turn of Rannoch Moor and Glen Tilt. I also wanted to return to Stonehaven for an ice cream. With those three points confirmed and since I never started at Oban my route quickly made itself.
I bet this group had a few drams of single malt. Unfortunately they disappeared into the hills and I never met them again.
The tea shop in Taynuilt was a stop for a warm cup and a snack before pushing on to Loch Etive.
Loch Etive
Glen Kinglass
It was a very cold night. I had to wait for the sun to melt the frost on the tent before packing it away.
River Ba
Rannoch Moor from the West Highland Way. After lunch I continued to camp by the bothy before Rannoch Station.
Tigh na Cruaiche.
Loch Laidon
Loch Rannoch.
I planned to end this day camping at Blair Atholl but when I passed the Struan Inn I decided that a pint, a bed and a good dinner was a good idea. This was the only night that I did not camp for the crossing. An indication as to how good the weather was.
It was a short and pleasant walk along the banks of the River Garry to cross the bridge into Blair Atholl.
Glen Tilt.
Crossing The Geldie.
By evening a tent city had sprung up around White Bridge. It was a very windy evening and cold night.
I spent a rest day in Braemar. The weather had changed and waterproof gear was dug out from the bottom of the pack.
Balmoral Forest
The Deeside Way was a easy walk. It was a morning of intermittent rain. The waterproof gear was consonantly being put on and taken off. By evening it was on all the time.
Bridge at Potarch.
Fetteresso Forest.
E.Giulianotti – Stonehaven’s vintage sweet shop was worth the walk from Oban.
The TGO Challenge gets into your blood. Here also are some of my previous TGO Challenge posts:
- The Great Outdoors (TGO) Challenge 2019
- The Great Outdoors (TGO) Challenge 2018
- The Great Outdoors (TGO) Challenge 2017
- The Great Outdoors (TGO) Challenge 2016
- The Great Outdoors (TGO) Challenge 2015
The Great Outdoors (TGO) Challenge 2015 – anticipating a walk to the Park! - The Great Outdoors (TGO) Challenge 2012 & 2013
As part of your TGO research check out Phil Lambert’s blog doodlecat which has an archive of TGO Challenger posts to inspire and encourage you!
Application forms appear for the The Great Outdoors Challenge appear in the October issue of the TGO magazine (out September). More information can be found on the Challenge website.
