Skye Trail Adventure – FKT

The Dream That Finally Came True

For years, I’d looked out my bedroom window every morning and seen the stunning Cuillin Mountain Range. It was only a matter of time before I took on this route—it had been a long-time dream, one I knew I had to make happen someday. Living in a small community means we understand the importance of unity, and we do everything we can to promote it. This journey wasn’t just for me. I was running for our local swimming pool, for my dreams, for my family—the MacDonalds of Clanranald and Cymbalista.

The Mallaig Swimming Pool was running a fundraiser to upgrade their facilities. It’s been around for over 30 years and really needs some improvements, but the incredible team there has been keeping it going. I saw this as a great chance to contribute. Challenges like these need extra motivation, and raising money for a cause while chasing a dream? That was all the motivation I needed to push forward and not give up.

The Beginning: North Skye and Trotternish Ridge

I arrived in the north of Skye the night before the run, slept in the van, and set off at 7 am—right after finishing my coffee, of course. The morning forecast predicted a few scattered showers, but I hoped things would clear up by the time I reached the higher grounds of the Trotternish Ridge.

Starting at the red phone box near Rhuba Hunish Car Park, I ran north past the red phone box, navigating a mix of rocky terrain, hard ground, grassy patches, and muddy slopes. Once I reached the cliffs, I turned east, following the breathtaking coastline toward Flodigarry. The cloud cover above and strong winds added to the drama of the landscape.

Not long into the run, I missed a turn somewhere in the trees. I was only about 50 meters off the path, but as I tried to cross a fence, I got an unexpected shock—it was electric! Lesson learned: don’t assume every fence is safe to cross. I decided to follow the fence line and look for a crossing. Eventually, I found a lower section that seemed manageable, but just as I landed on the other side, my hamstring brushed against it—another shock! Well, at least I was thoroughly charged up for the rest of the run.

Moving forward, I entered the hills, steadily gaining elevation toward Quiraing. This section of the route was incredible—famous for appearing in films like The BFG, Stardust, Land That Time Forgot, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, and Macbeth. The climb out of Quiraing led me straight onto the Trotternish Ridge, where the wind was relentless. The terrain here was grassy with muddy patches, and although the climbs and descents were tough, they were stunning. Water sources were scarce; I spotted a few small ponds but wasn’t sure they were safe to drink from, so I skipped them.

The ridge eventually brought me to Hartaval, the last summit before reaching The Storr. By this point, the wind had finally died down, and the sky cleared, showing blue skies. The Storr was crowded with visitors, even in the middle of the week, and I zigzagged between them, making my way around the Old Man of Storr—another long-time bucket list destination finally checked off!

Pushing Through: Portree to Sligachan

I reached Loch Leathan Dam ahead of schedule, giving me a much-needed mental boost. But the next section—from the dam to Portree—was rough. The boggy terrain and constantly wet grass slowed me down significantly, making every step exhausting. The sound of splashing water beneath my feet started to get inside my head, and I had to keep pushing forward, focusing on each step.

Finally, I made it to Portree. The sun was shining, the clouds had disappeared, and it was HOT. I would have done anything for a breeze at that moment! As I ran through Portree, I realized I was getting dehydrated. I desperately needed water but found a clean-looking stream near the Varragil River bursting from under the rocks—it looked fresh, so I drank up, and it was fantastic.

From there, I joined the road leading to Sligachan. This part of the run was mentally draining—I had already covered 55km with 2400m of elevation, and the dehydration was slowing me down. I kept drinking water whenever I could, but it felt like I wasn’t replenishing fast enough. Eventually, the road ended, and I hit a slippery, wet path lined with sharp rocks along the shores of Loch Sligachan. On the bright side, the waterfalls in this section were breathtaking, and the fresh water sources were perfect for refueling.

Entering the Cuillin Range

Running past Sligachan, I crossed the arch bridge and entered the Cuillin Mountain Range. This area is incredible—the towering peaks made me feel tiny. The path was well-maintained, thanks to the John Muir Trust, and I ran every downhill stretch.

Despite staying on top of my food and water intake, I felt exhausted. The heat was getting to me, and I was sweating out more than I could replenish. But the scenery made it all worthwhile. I passed hikers coming down from the hills and was in absolute awe at every turn—the Cuillin Ridge was magnificent.

At last, I spotted the islands of Rum and Eigg in the distance! It was surreal seeing them from this angle instead of my usual view from home. Eventually, I reached Camasunary—a beautifully remote house standing at the water’s edge, accessible only by foot or off-road vehicle.

The Final Stretch: Elgol to Broadford

Then came the cliffs leading to Elgol. This 3km section pushed my nerves to the limit. The narrow path was treacherous, with steep slopes on one side and sheer vertical drops on the other. Some sections were so tight that I couldn’t even place my feet side by side. This part of the journey demanded patience and caution—rushing would have been dangerous.

Sadly, not everything was beautiful. Some beaches were covered in waste—plastic, metal, fishing debris. Some campers had gathered rubbish into piles, but clearing it all would take a huge effort.

Upon reaching Elgol, I was relieved to be back on solid road. My energy levels surged, and I found myself running uphill, despite being 100km in. I had 30km left—if I kept pushing, I knew I’d secure the record. Game on!

The section from Elgol through Kilmarie was fantastic—I made up a lot of time here. I climbed higher and could see Loch Slapin stretching below me. With the sunset over the islands, the view was stunning, but I was focused on one thing: finishing strong.

As night fell, I put on my head torch and powered through the final kilometers. I kept drinking, kept eating, kept running. Pacing through Torrin, past Kilbride, and onwards toward Broadford, I knew the record was mine if I stayed consistent.

The Final Push to Broadford

That last stretch was pure grit and determination. Exhaustion crept in, but my torch cut through the darkness, keeping me focused. The trail twisted and turned relentlessly—right, left, up, down—hugging the cliffs of Loch Eishort. Some sections were brutal, littered with boulders and the messy aftermath of a landslide.

Finally, I started pulling away from the coastline, each step bringing me closer to Broadford. The ground turned grassy and slick again, forcing me to stay sharp. Then came one last climb—I could feel it, the finish was near. I was running parallel to the road now, though I couldn’t quite see it. I reached the final crest, turned left, and there they were—THE LIGHTS OF BROADFORD!

I couldn’t hold back—I shouted! Just one kilometer to go. My pace picked up, my legs somehow found an extra burst of energy, and I ran with a massive grin. I glanced at my watch and could hardly believe it. This was unreal. I pushed harder, then even harder, and finally—I finished!

A Record-Breaking Finish

17 hours, 18 minutes, and 24 seconds.
129km. 4280m of elevation.
30 minutes faster than the supported record.

And I did it unsupported—carrying everything from start to finish, refilling only from rivers along the way.

I stood there, just letting it all sink in. I had just run the official Skye Trail in the fastest time. My legs felt incredible, my energy was high, and apart from my soaked feet, I was in amazing shape.

Reflections on the Journey

This experience was beyond words—a dream come true, a fundraiser for an important cause, and a test of endurance like no other. The route put me through my paces, but the support from family, friends, and my community made it all possible.

And now? Time for recovery (and lots of coffee)