Ultra runner Pawel Cymbalista has ticked off another FKT (Fastest Known Time) for a Scottish long-distance trail. This time it was the Rob Roy way. The runner form Mallaig ran the 79-mile Rob Roy Way, with a total ascent of 2741m, in 13 hours 55 minutes 6 seconds on March 20, 2024. He ran the route north to south.
What is the Rob Roy Way?
The Rob Roy Way travels through the eastern Highlands, tracing the historical path of Scotland’s legendary outlaw, Rob Roy MacGregor, who lived from 1671 to 1734.
The route can be completed from Drymen to Pitlochry or vice versa. Many people start in the village of Drymen and head through the Loch Ard Forest to reach Aberfoyle, at the heart of Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park. The trail then heads along the shores of three lochs, Venachar, Lubnaig, and Tay.
The finish point is the town of Pitlochry, having passed by many historical and architectural gems, such as aqueducts and viaducts, as well as a 3600-year-old stone circle.
The terrain is a mix of trails, cycleways, old railway trackbeds and moorland paths.
Most people take six to eight days to complete the route on foot, while cyclists will typically journey for around three or four days.
Why the Rob Roy Way for an FKT?
Pawel has set many FKTs on Scotland’s walking trails, including:
The Rob Roy Way was the first of his planned adventures for 2024. This year, Pawel is completing a number of challenges to raise funds for for Mallaig Community Hub and Shop. The initiative was started by his wife Ashley Macdonald Cymbalista, plus a team of people who want to support small, rural communities. See Go Fund Me.
Pawel’s Rob Roy Way FKT
Pawel was delighted with his Rob Roy Way FKT. He says: “I am very happy with how it went. I wanted to test my fitness and to see where I stand and what I need to do in the next coming months to improve.”
He describes the The Rob Roy Way as “spectacular”, adding: “It boasts dense forests, an abundance of wildlife, thunderous rivers, serene lochs and majestic mountains. It weaves through quaint villages.
“Throughout the day, I encountered a menagerie of wildlife including a hare, numerous pheasants, deer, an otter, a badger, a red kite, an eagle and a buzzard feasting atop a decaying tree, likely on a rabbit.
“The forests were a shadowy canopy, vast and chilling. Crossing the River Tummel, via a swinging bridge in Pitlochry, was exhilarating, as was following the mighty River Tay for several miles.
“The ascent from Aberfeldy revealed the stunning Birks of Aberfeldy, with its gorge and cascading waterfalls. A few missteps at the top had me searching for the correct trail.
“Running beside Loch Tay, I was flanked by pastoral fields to my left and breathtaking views of Ben Lawers to my right.
“Approaching the midpoint, the climb from Ardeonaig to the route’s zenith was unforgiving, with terrain ravaged by cattle, treacherous mud and clay. The path soon gave way to a landscape reminiscent of The Cape Wrath, including bogs, slick moss and so much water, with only faint trails to guide me. Thankfully, the Rob Roy markers were a godsend for navigation.
“This was when I enjoyed the panoramic beauty of Loch Tay and the distant Ben Lawers.”
Killin was the half-way point before Pawel headed on to an old railway line and a viaduct. This part of the route is also National Cycle Route 7 and Pawel says: “It offered splendid views of Meall Buidhe and Loch Earn.
“As I ran past Strathyre and along Loch Lubnaig’s shores, memories of the Ben Ledi race, which marked the beginning of my hill running adventure, flooded back.
“Navigating through Callander, the tantalising aromas from the bakeries tested my will. But with just 20 miles remaining, I pressed on.”
Pawel encountered challenging terrain on the final stretch to Drymen and then, with 10km to go, it became dark and he had to use his head torch as a guide. There was one last ascent before Drymen, and then the descent.
Pawel recalls the end point. He says: “And there it was suddenly: The finish line, where my friends Ryan and a local man, Cameron, awaited to celebrate my completion of the route.”
Pawel describes his thoughts on his new FKT. He says: “It was a gruelling, yet exhilarating, day and despite the aches, every moment was cherished.”
- Pawel is the Mountain Lab Coaching.