Welcome to Trail Running Scotland, we are a small team, with a big love of quality trails and stunning landscapes!
For us running is just another great way to explore and enjoy the amazing mountain landscape and wild places that we have in Scotland. It allows us to travel fast and light, flowing through the landscape, covering the terrain and exploring in a way that is just not possible for walkers.
Our team has a huge depth of experience coaching a wide range of adventure sports and guiding across the world. We believe that this combination of qualifications, personal experience and coaching understanding means that we are uniquely placed to provide the highest quality experience for our clients.
International Mountain Leader
Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor
UESCA Ultrarunning Coach
Level 4 Strength and Conditioning principles coach
British Athletics (Fell) Leadership in Running Fitness
Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing
Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician
BASI Level 2 Alpine ski instructor
One way or another, I have been running all of my life, from primary school cross country to big journeys in the mountains.
I was lucky to have an active, outdoor childhood so we were always on the go. This led me into a career in the outdoors. Primarily this was as a climber and mountaineer. Working as an instructor since 2006 this has taken me to some really cool places across the world and into some pretty extreme environments. Throughout this time running was what I did to keep fit, and to explore my local mountains, moving faster and further than I could with clients. In 2017 I founded Trail Running Scotland to fuse the two worlds together, guiding, instructing and coaching runners of all abilities in all environments, from local trails to big mountain adventures.
I have completed a round of the Munros, all of the Scottish peaks over 3000 feet (282 in total). I ran a Bob Graham Round for my stag do. A Lakeland round of 106km with 8300 meters of ascent in 24 hours is a great way to find out who your mates really are!
I competed in the Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon (LAMM) 8 times, with my best result in 2017, second in the Elite class. Our team were 4th in class for the Scottish Islands Peaks race in 2017 and I completed the Glencoe Skyline race in 2016. For a different sort of challenge I entered the Celtman extreme triathlon in 2015, taking 50 places on the run to finish 16th and finished 4th in the 2017 Loch Gu Loch swim-run event in Loch Ness. In 2018 I completed the Cape Wrath Ultra, which I hobbled to the end of in 7th place, then in 2019 I achieved a 20 year dream by finishing the Berghaus Dragon's Back Race. Needing my own adventure for 2020 I made the most of my local hills to run Rigby's Round and complete a Cairngorm Parkrun, the first time anyone has completed a continuous link of the 58 munros within the Cairngorms National Park. In 2021 I added a Charlie Ramsay round to the collection of big adventures and in a return to the Cape Wrath Ultra I was amazed to come away with 1st place. A Paddy Buckley Round in 2022 completed my collection of Big 3 24 hour rounds. To mark my 40th year I completed the Tor de Geants in 2023, a 350km continuous lap of the Aosta valley with 24000m of climbing. To prepare for this I had used the smaller Tot Dret 130km race in 2022.
Since 2011 I have been a Winter Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor (WMCI) delivering courses at the highest level in all aspects of mountain activities in Scotland. From summer hill walking, navigation training and rock climbing coaching, to winter climbing and ski touring. I still keep up this type of work through Scotch on the rocks guiding. Through my time in Scotland I have also worked for other providers across Scotland, particularly Glenmore Lodge the national outdoor training centre. I volunteered for 3 years as a member on the board of directors of the National Navigation Award Scheme and I deliver their tutors award. Previous roles also include a year with Mountaineering Scotland working as a Mountain Safety Advisor
Level 3 certificate in Personal Training
Summer Mountain Leader
Mountain Bike Leader
BASI Level 1 Alpine ski instructor
British Athletics (Fell) Leadership in Running Fitness
In my 'real job' as a health professional I see the difference that a healthy lifestyle makes everyday and I count myself very lucky that activity and the outdoors have always been a big part of my life. For me every day needs some activity, biking, running, yoga, circuits or walking the dog. In 2019 I qualified as a personal trainer and through my own company, Outdoor Fitness Scotland am helping people to use the outdoors as their gym to work towards a variety of training goals.
I am a bit of an allrounder in the outdoors, a Summer Mountain Leader, Level 3 Canoe coach and Mountain Bike leader. I have been working in the outdoor industry for 15 years, guiding remote trips and holidays in all activities around Scotland and Europe. I also hold the UK Athletics (Fell) Leadership in Running Fitness provided by the Fell Running Association.
I have competed in a couple of mountain marathons, with my best result being 2nd female in the C class at the last ever Highlander in 2016. After a few years of preparation I completed the Cape Wrath Ultra in 2022.
Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor
Mountain bike leader
Alpine ski leader
I am passionate about running to stay fit and training to compete but for me it is more about exploring and moving fast over mountainous terrain feeling remote and working hard for great rewards.
I have completed a handful of mountainous marathons, coming 1st place in the Trail Events Glencoe race in 2017. Since then, I have gone on to compete in ultra distance races, such as the Highland Fling, Glen Lyon Ultra, Squamish 50/50, Lakeland 100 and the Cape Wrath Ultra.
I have a big bucket list of other races and challenges, such as the Bob Graham round, UTMB, Hardrock 100 and Cascade Crest 100 to name a few.
I thoroughly enjoy sharing my passion for adventure with others to help them in developing their own skills and fitness, which allows them to become more self reliant and safe when running, hill walking or mountaineering.
I have been working in the outdoor industry for over 16 years as an instructor in most adventure activities; Canoeing, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Caving, Rock Climbing and Mountaineering. More recently I have focused on Mountaineering, Mountain Biking and Running. I currently hold the MCI award (Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor) and WML (Winter Mountain Leader). I am very active in guiding, instructing and coaching all aspects of mountaineering.
Outdoor Leadership BA (HONS)
Summer Mountain Leader
Rock Climbing Instructor
Running has been a part of my life from a young age and whether it's competing in races or out with a group of friends I'm happiest when I'm running in the hills. For me trail and mountain running is the best way to explore the incredible scenery we're lucky to have so close to home. No run is ever the same and there's always a surprise or stunning view around the corner.
Some of my personal achievements include becoming the youngest person to complete a continuous Munro round in 62 days at the age of 19. I have also ran all 'the big 3 rounds' in under 24 hours which includes the Bob Graham, Paddy Buckley and Ramsay Round. I've always enjoyed racing and try my best to compete at the highest level I possibly can. I finished 1st to 3rd place in races across the UK, New Zealand and France and enjoyed countless fell and hill races over the years.
I've been working in the outdoor industry for seven years now and enjoy sharing my passion for the outdoors, it's flora and fauna and the rich history that we have in abundance here in Scotland. The trail and hill running community has a special ethos in where by supporting others, others will support you and I've been fortunate enough to take my running where it is today because of this. Now I take great pleasure in working with others to help them progress and go on to achieve their goals. Whether it's learning a skill or becoming more confident in the outdoor environment, it's always important to be enjoying yourself and having fun along the way.
Summer & Winter Mountain Leader
Torridon Mountain Rescue Team Member
As a keen fell runner, climber and mountain biker, I moved up the Highlands as soon as I graduated and since then have taken every opportunity to get out in the hills. I've coordinated logistics and safety at significant fell races, supported multiple successful 'big rounds', and have a wide body of mountain experience across the UK and beyond. I've dabbled in racing, including setting the U20s record for the classic Welsh 1000s fell race - but it's big days with good company moving light and fast across remote, technical mountains that really excites me.
I split my time between working with a wide range of people in the outdoors, and as a Landscape Architect and Ecologist. In both roles, I am interpreting the natural world in a way that allows people to connect with it in a meaningful way - a way that hopefully inspires respect for the world around us. I've also combined these roles in the past as an expedition Field Assistant, from the Indian Himalayas to the Canadian Rockies, with a focus on the impacts of climate change on remote mountain communities and environments.
I'm looking forward to working towards the Winter Mountain Leader and Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor qualifications over the coming years - watch this space. I am an active member of Torridon Mountain Rescue Team, covering one of the most rugged landscapes in the Scottish North West. You'll often find me pottering about the lesser known corners of this special part of the world - and I'd love to show you around!
Summer Mountain Leader
Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team Member
As a runner, skier and climber, I just love to be out in the mountains. I was born and raised in the Scottish Borders but now live in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park, big hills have always been part of my life.
As well as getting into the hills for myself I am a Summer Mountain Leader and enjoy introducing new people to these beautiful places. I am also a member of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team.
During the summer months I work as a Quad Bike Trek Leader in a family business based in Aviemore, I am a joiner to trade and have run a small business for over ten years.
Trail Running Scotland Ltd. Company registration number SC786843