Outdoors with Karolina

The last day of my challenge was actually very short- just over 5 miles! I have walked the most of it the day before while I was struggling to find anywhere to pitch my tent after Brechin and ended up walking extra miles. Despite knowing I wouldn’t have to rush anywhere- I did not waste any time in the morning- quickly got ready and hit the road without the second thought.

And when I say- hit the road, that is rather literal as most of the walk was alongside the roads. Few houses, little track, fields with the irrigation system next to them, several windmills in the distance- and just like that, an hour later, I have already been able to see the sea in the distance. Not long after that I have crossed A92.

That was it. The end of my walk, the end of The Great Outdoors Challenge 2024. For the past two weeks, I have been walking from the west coast to the east coast of Scotland and it was coming to an end now. I couldn’t remember the days when I was tired, the blisters I have been struggling with, or the heat exhaustion. At that moment I felt like I could turn back and walk it all over again.

When I finally reached the sea, I made some kind of excited squeaky noise, dropped my backpack, took my shoes off and ran into the ocean. Water was cold- the sun, that was burning my skin for past two weeks, has disappeared from the sky. The waves got my shorts wet but I didn’t care- I was laughing out loud feeling like a child again.

What I didn’t think of- while it was still a low tide, it was rising rather quickly. While I was in the sea- the water was slowly getting to my backpack, making everything wet. One last mishap of the challenge, I guess! I’ve collected all my (now wet) stuff and headed to Lunan Bay Cafe. Oh boy, I cannot recommend this place enough- not only I have been served the coffee but staff also gave me the blanket to sit on and offered to drop my stuff in the dryer. 100/10!

Soon I have been joined by Katy and Adam, who also finished at Lunan Bay and together we walked to a bus stop, for a bus to take us to Montrose. It started raining. Slowly, at first, but then the sky opened and everyone arriving at The Park Hotel were dripping with water. But it was amazing, to see again, all the faces I have met during the challenge. We were sharing the stories of our crossings while enjoying cup of tea and biscuits. Collected the certificate and my finishers tshirt and headed towards my accommodation- this year in Montrose- for a shower and quick rest before finishers dinner later in the evening. Dinner is event on its own too- it’s more than just delicious food. Again, you can hear stories from other challengers, organisers, wonderful speeches and cheers all around. Oh, the hotel bar was open till late and the drinks were plenty. We deserved it, after all.

I won’t be coming back in 2025, due to other plans and commitments but already can’t wait for 2026. And if you think about walking it next year, who knows, maybe our paths will cross somewhere in Scotland.

Route taken: Fithie Wood- Renmure- Lunan- Lunan Bay (8.2 km)