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Review: Running Adventures Scotland book

Written by Fiona

May 16 2022


Runner Ross Brannigan has written a new book, Running Adventures Scotland: 25 inspirational run in Scotland’s wild places. It is published by Vertebrate Publishing priced £20.

  • To buy the book see Adventure Books. I receive a small commission for sales through this link

Details of Running Adventures Scotland

  • 25 routes of between 10km and 31km in length.
  • Mix of big mountain days, multi-day adventures and
    lower-level trail runs.
  • Runs are organised into five geographical areas, from the Lowlands to the Highlands.
  • Bonus section of three longer routes, ranging from 56km to 15km.
  • Lots of information so you can carefully plan each run, including the terrain, detailed directions, photography, overview mapping, refreshment recommendations, information on conservation organisations and interesting background information about the local area.
  • Links to downloadable GPX files of the routes are also available.
  • Suggestions for other routes in the area.
  • To buy the book see Adventure Books and also Amazon (I receive a small commission for sales.)

Who is Ross Brannigan?

Ross is a Scottish runner, cyclist and environmentalist with a
passion for adventures. See his blog, too.

Ross spent his childhood holidays “clutching sandwiches and drinking tea on on a rain-lashed summit wondering why we weren’t in Greece like my schoolmates”.

However, he counts himself “incredibly lucky” to have had that experience and as he got older, Ross moved from hill walking to hill running.

He has taken part in a number of classic Scottish hill races, including the Trotternish Ridge Race, the Ochil 2000s and the Ring of Steall Skyrace.

He says: “What I love about exploring Scotland is the varied landscapes you can enjoy from the towering peaks and striking ridges in the west Highlands to the the ancient rolling plateau of the Cairngorms in the east, to the vast expanses of Assynt in the far north.

“My book, Running in Scotland, helps to immerse you in those various landscapes. I often finish a run wishing it never ended.”

Maol Chinn Dearg.
Meall Garbh on Ben Lawers range.
Sgurr na Stri, Skye.

My review: Running Adventures Scotland book

I doubt I am very different from other people when I pick up a new book of walking, running or cycling routes. The first thing I do is look at the index or list of routes to see what I may have already done before – and then I have another more thorough look to see what route ideas might appeal to me.

With Running Adventures Scotland the list includes many routes I have done as a walk before, such as Mayar, Driesh and Corrie Fee; the Ring of Steall; Beinn Alligin; Suilven and Ben Ledi – and a few I have also run, including The Cobbler, Ben Lomond via Ptarmigan Ridge, Ben Lawers and sections of the West Highland Way.

But there are plenty of others that I still have on my to-do list, for example the Quinag, the Pentland Skyline and the Glen Rosa Horseshoe on the Isle of Arran.

I really like the look of the multi-day routes, such as the Tranter’s Round and the Five Bothies in the Cairngorms, which would make the focus of a great long run, or as a backpacking hike.

Quinag Ridge from Spidean Coinich.
Maol Chinn Dearg ridge.

What I like about the book is that there are plenty of different routes to suit different fitness levels and aspirations.

As well as the more obvious mountain and trail runs, there are also some that I haven’t thought about as a running route.

Each route has a good level of detail, plus a short overview to tell you what to expect and then step-by-step directions. The elevation profile and map are clear and easy to read, while the photos give a taste of what you will experience.

There is a panel of tips, such as points of interest, highlights, travel to the run, other route options and refreshment suggestions.

It’s nice to have a wee quote from a runner about each route, just to give it a bit more context.

All in all, this is a lovely book that I am sure I will refer to many times over the years – and one that will be picked up from our bookshelf by friends who visit.

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