THE GREAT OUTDOORS CHALLENGE

I have first heard about the challenge in May 2022 just outside Kingussie when I bumped into another hiker. ‘Are you on TGO Challenge?’, he asked. ‘I’m just climbing some Munros’, I replied and we shortly parted our ways. TGO? What actually is a TGO Challenge?, I wondered and quickly checked online.

Running since 1980, The Great Outdoors Challenge, is a yearly non-competitive event. Starting on the west coast, challengers plan their own route across Scotland all the way to the east coast. There are 14 starting points but each route is unique- you plan it yourself! How could I have never heard about it before- it did sound exactly like my idea of fun so I decided to join The Challenge the following year.

In 2023 I’ve completed my first crossing- from Mallaig to St Cyrus and, of course, I knew I will have to come back for more. I quickly started planning my next route. And you know what is the heardest part of planning? Deciding where to start (and where to finish)! With so many options it is easy to get overwhelmed. Or to take easy option and go with what you already know. But in true Karolina’s style I left all of it to chance. Have you ever heard of Wheel of Names? We use it at work sometimes, while playing games. You put all the names in, spin the wheel… yeah, you get it. So first, I put all the starting points in, then finishing points and let the Wheel of Names decide where will it take me. Plockton (my starting point) and Lunan Bay (finishing one) are the places I’ve never heard about before. But when I looked them up, oh boy, was I grateful I let the Universe choose for me. Here’s The Wheel, if you want to use it for yourself (let it decide where you will go on your holidays, which movie will you watch, what takeaway to order- have a little fun with it!) Wheel of Names | Random name picker

TGO 2024- my route

My 2023 TGO Challenge has had many unpredictable moments- first of them even before the start. Day before the challenge I was supposed to take the train to Scotland, leaving Birmingham just after 7am. Oh well, I woke up at 9am and took the next train to Glasgow. Not only was it expensive but I’ve also missed my connection to Mallaig. With next train in few hours, I got myself to Dumbarton, walked towards A82 and hitchhiked all the way up North. I’ve had loads of fun, learned few new things, even took a scenic route alongside the coast and… arrived at Silver Sands of Morar just after the sunset. Quickly pitched my tent, had a snack and when already getting cosy in my sleeping bag, I’ve heard the train pulling up to the station. Good thing I haven’t waited for it in Glasgow.

This year, to avoid situation like that, Ive made my way to Scotland three days before the challenge and spent them at Glen Nevis. But me, being me, I fell into the river on my first day and got my boots wet. Sadly there was no drying room at the campsite and the next day I’ve planned to climb Ben Nevis to watch the sunrise. I didn’t get the view I hoped for. Instead, you guessed it, I got blisters. Before the challenge even started! Usually I don’t struggle with blisters, apart from when on TGO. Guessing that’s what makes it the challenge for me 🙂

‘Sunrise’ at Ben Nevis

On Wednesday I’ve left Fort William making my way to Plockton. Of course, hitchhiking again. Any form of transportation (maybe apart from ferries- but more about that later) is not allowed on TGO, the whole crossing has to be done on foot. So, I’m guessing I just wanted to do that one last time while I could. My first lift was from Fort William all the way to Kyle of Lochalsh with Rebecca and Sian, and let me tell you- it was the best lift I have ever been given. We’ve been talking, laughing and singing until we reached Kyle. From there I’ve been picked up by Tommy. If you ever told me I will spend few miles ride talking about Thomas Telford and his influence in the area, I would have never believed you! And all of that only because I was delighted by one of the bridges we drove past. ‘Its been built by a famous engineer, Thomas Telford’, Tommy told me. I’ve mentioned how amazed I am by Menai Suspension Bridge (the one leading from Bangor to Anglesey) and been told to look out for Parish Church in Plockton and some of the houses designed by Telford. That’s what I love the most about hitchhiking- if you keep your mind open, you may learn a lot in those brief encounters.

With Rebecca and Sian, somewhere alongside A87

Arrived in Plockton, checked into my room and went for a little stroll around the village. Plockton, The Jewel of The Highlands, amazes even in the rain. According to Wikipedia it has been deemed ‘arguably the prettiest village in the highlands’. Small harbour, beautiful houses and… palm trees. Yes, the palm trees. Not something you would expect to see on the Scottish coast. Yet, apparently, they thrive in Plockton thanks to its mild climate. The only thing to remind me what country I was actually in was the persistent drizzle.

Plockton, The Jewel of the Highlands

I headed back and got myself ready for bed. After all I needed to be rested and full of energy- The Great Outdoors Challenge was starting the next day.

My 2024 TGO Challenge- Plockton to Lunan Bay:

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Published by Karolina Szczerkowska

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