Mountain landscape - Scotland

The panoramic view north from the summit of Bidean nam Bian, a Munro in Glen Coe in the West Highlands of Scotland, looking over Stob Coire nan Lochan, the Aonach Eagach plus most of the Mamores to Ben Nevis (the UK's highest peak), Carn Mor Dearg, A

Lochaber ridges at dawn

In my late forties and early fifties I had a long-term passion project with a friend, which was to complete Philip Tranter’s Round, a mountain running challenge to ascend all 18 Munros around Glen Nevis in under 24 hours. A bigger challenge, the longer Charlie Ramsay Round - which covers 23 Munros in 24 hours (originally 24) - was out of my scope, and, as it transpired, so was Tranter’s Round. Despite three attempts, we never made it back to Glen Nevis Youth Hostel within the timeframe but I’m proud though that on our third attempt we did complete the route, but in 35 hours and on perhaps 40 minutes sleep, and I enjoyed nearly every minute of it. Sadly though, at present, a long-term nerve injury it caused is preventing me from doing any running and there will be no repeat.

The photograph here however is a great memory. In view, captured not long after dawn from the summit of Bidean nam Bian in Glen Coe, is most of the hills on both Philip Tranter’s Round and Charlie Ramsay’s Round. Ben Nevis is on the left to the north with Càrn Mor Dearg, Aonach Mor and Aonach Beag and the Grey Corries out to the east (and further east for Ramsay’s Round to Stob Coire Easain and Stob a'Choire Mheadhoin). Back west there’s nine of the 10 Mamores in shot, including Sgùrr Eilde Mòr, Binnein Mor, Na Gruagaichan, Devil’s Ridge and Stob Ban. The only peaks missing are the Munros near Corrour and Tulloch stations (Beinn nan Lap, Chno Dearg and Stob Coire Sgriodain), plus Mullach nan Coirean above Glen Nevis, which is out of view of the left.