Scotland End to End.
A self-propelled, self-mapped mission to trail run from the lighthouse at Scotland’s most southerly point, to the lighthouse at the most northerly point of the remote Outer Hebrides.
The Mission - “Light to Light”
Trail run, solo, a self-mapped 700km(ish) route from the lighthouse at the Mull of Galloway, Scotland’s most southerly point; north on the mainland, before jumping off to run the Hebridean Way - 250kms across 10 islands; three ferry crossings and six causeways; linking lighthouses by finishing at the Butt of Lewis on the Isle of Stornaway. I’m still to find anyone else who has done this. A first?
The origin of the idea
I left Scotland in 2011, relocating to Australia. At the time I had a love for hiking, surfing, camping and the outdoors but never envisaged that ultra distance (42km+) trail running lay in my future.
In 2017 I ran my first ultra marathon on a trip back to Scotland - the Tiree Ultra, 55kms around the remote island of Tiree on Scotland’s west coast. I’ve since run numerous ultras and created many self-propelled multiday missions for myself on foot and bike, mainly in Australia.
In 2018, I started thinking about what it would look like to trail run the length of Scotland. In 2019, I wrote my intention on the side of a lululemon van. And then, well we all know what happened in 2020… Fast forward a few years; a couple of major life changes and the time has finally come.
In August 2023 I’ll be taking on this mission; sharing status updates along the way to the “start line” via a podcast I co-host, the “Into the Wee Hours Podcast”.
I’m currently working on a manifesto for this mission, and deeply aware of the privilege I have in being a woman who is able to undertake this kind of adventure, will be fundraising for an incredible, aligned not-for-profit, “Free to Run” and planning the content outputs I’m hoping for - which will include my passions of writing, illustrating and podcasting.
If you’re reading this and reckon you would like to support the mission in some way - as a sponsor; donate to my fundraising; a gear partner; a videographer or something else - please do get in touch. I’d love to hear from you.
“Because I Can”.
I’ll be taking on this mission as a Free to Run ambassador. Fundraising for this incredible NGO, who believe in empowerment through sport; challenging gender norms and supporting the visibility of those who do not share my freedoms.
Take 30 minutes to watch this incredible short film on Free to Run, put together by The North Face. Watch FREE TO RUN on YouTube.
Every donation of ANY size is so gratefully received!
Listen to Sarah on the Into the Wee Hours Podcast
To track my journey from January to August, we’ll be recording short check-in episodes on the Into the Wee Hours Podcast. Check it out on Apple or Spotify (or your favourite platform) and have a listen to the voices of a bunch of inspiring everyday adventurers while you’re there.
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
— Howard Thurmann