FKT: Matt Stapley - Arran Coastal Way (Scotland) - 2023-05-27

Athletes
Route variation
Standard route
Multi-sport
No
Gender category
Male
Style
Unsupported
Start date
Finish date
Total time
14h 34m 6s
GPS track(s)
Report

Whilst on holiday I decided to have a crack at the coastal way.

I reasoned I’d do the route that stayed as close to the shore as possible so as to keep to have a good line. 
 

mask we were staying just south of Lamlash and I guessed I’d be finishing in the early hours and won’t be able to be picked up I elected to start at the south end of Lamlash bay rather than Brodick. 
 

I set off at 2pm to make best use of the tides and (hopefully) ensure I’d be back in time to go out for a day with the kids. 
 

I carried all food I needed and resupplied water from steams that crossed the path. 
 

I went anti-clockwise so the tide would be low was I went round the south of the route. 
the route round to Lochranza was great, quiet roads and lovely single track. 
 

After Lochranza there’s a fair amount of road but that’s good for eating up the miles! South of King Cave it’s start to get a bit scrappy underfoot and the path is intermittent so I slowed up a bit until back on the road.
Bennan head and Dippin Head were great actually, dry grippy boulders to run across or scramble through. 
 

I was very glad of the intermittent boardwalks installed south of Lamlash, a welcome reprieve from slippy rocks and seaweed. 
 

Finishing in sunrise was pretty awesome and meant a walk back to the cottage for a quick shower before waking the boys up. Safe to say my toddler genuinely won all the races that day!