that's a bit of a shame, sounds like it's not so much a deliberate obstruction of the path / route as just a fence line cutting across a well-used path. Shame that it's got much worse by all accounts of late, used to be a ridiculously good blast from the hole in the wall on Harbour Hill – sorry Alasdair, would have to say it's anything but a straight unbending landy track.

Top trails in Pentlands are problematic, depends on time of year, whether you're climbing or descending (and how long ago you've done them – 5 years in my case.

Death or Glory (up or down)
Placenta Path (traverse and down)
The Swoop
Harbour Hill quad track
Pistachio Trail
Capelaw ascent
Goat track to N of Castlelaw

there's not a vast array of technical paths in the Pentlands really, but some really pleasing trails.

eugh. what a thought. hello there podium partner :)

I think there's several issues here.
The Moray trails (bar the Gully Monster) aren't, and are not intended as, the most technical of man-made trails – they are introductory, or all user trails – and I think that influences (it has to) how they are used by No Fuss – it's a more chilled and relaxed event, an event for everyone.

No, there weren't that many marshalls, but I hope there were enough. A few more I suppose would have gee'd everyone along a bit.

The problem is finding trails that, in the main, are man-made and are fit for an enduro event – the mud climb last year was an attempt to use a path as opposed to a trail and look what happened. What are the options? Not cost-effective to build a proper trail for one event, a newly cut trail could cut up pretty bad very quickly.

Sure, No Fuss have a good relationship with the guys here in Moray, and that influences where the event is held. Similarly with Kiroughtree.

It's worth putting comments in the feedback channels, but realistically not sure what the other options might be: hold in different trails in Moray (awkward), hold in different location (where), or hold in your local neck of the woods daddy (in which case you'll get some of the responsibility and satisfaction that goes with that.

Temporarily I suppose a chimney balloon would get the draught problem knocked, Rob.
I suspect you know the answer really, but yes, here, we’ve got three open fireplaces and they’re all scheduled for replacement with stoves at some point.

If it’s a cast iron fireplace, could a small (and that’s all you’ll need) stove fit in and not look too out of place? From a combustible distance PoV anyway.

So much less maintenance in every way with a stove – cleaning, preparing, getting going – and just the ferrying of material – in fact, if it’s upstairs, you’ll be doing even more fetching and carrying !!

Couldn’t absolutely swear to this, but I don’t think I’ve ever driven without a seatbelt. Somewhat freaky, certainly dull and sensible. Not sure if that is surprising enough for you donald.

I discovered what may be the breakfast of champions though. Double helping of porridge, washed down with couple of mugs of full on coffee and a couple of butteries, with more butteries through the day. Worked for me !!

who all took the technical(as the marshalled called it) drop instead of the board walk before the last natural section pre wall ..
terry, didn’t on first two laps, Stewart persuaded me on the third, was a bit of a woosh down but ‘fine’ I thought. More tired on the fourth and final so I didn’t.

Had more water and electrolyte than ever before, seemed to work, last lap time was about as near as dammit as the previous two. Some nice natural sections, would not have enjoyed in the wet though !!

In a trio (probably just as well). None so unprepared. Oh dear.

I’ve done the Challenge on several occasions, over the last 10 years (though last time was about 5 years ago now). It’s a brutal climb, never quite made it to the top, even when I was fit, it’s a tough bone and teeth shaking descent – especially the baby heads by Melgarve, and then a long road stretch.

I’ve pushed too hard and suffered severely, but it’s always been a great event, challenge if you like, great spirit of taking part and helping out, and I’ve made and met up with so many friends at that event. The reception at the end is superb.

Slicks changeover would be recommended – just swap whole wheels really. That or compromise tyres which work in the dry, but would be lethal in the wet.

Gavin, not like you to bonk :)

ouch.
Founder (?) member of the John Muir Trust, as well. Certainly a trustee until recently.

Their numbers are reducing, after the death a year or so back of Malcolm Slessor.