History

Blyth Wright and Philip Tranter collectively planned and put together what is now known as Tranters Round. Blyth also accompanied Philip for most of the journey before returning to their rendezvous point in Glen Nevis. After over 30 years of sporadic phone calls, letters and e-mail communication, Charlie finally caught up with Blyth at his home in Aviemore in November 2008, where they shared an interesting, informative and enjoyable afternoon reflecting on big days in the mountains of Scotland.

Sadly, after a long illness, Blyth passed away on Sunday 24th May 2009. He will be remembered for his invaluable knowledge and expertise in avalanche forecasting and relentless work towards safety in the Scottish mountains.

Many, including myself, have followed Tranter’s footsteps and successfully completed his circuit within the 24-hour time scale. Whilst on the round one day, I wondered if one could extend the round by including the 5 munros that surround Loch Treig: Beinn na Lap, Chino Dearg, Stob Coire Sgriodain, Stob a Choire Mheadhoin, and Stob Coire Easain, making it into a journey that would involve 24 munros within 24 hours, a distance of 56 miles with 28,000 feet of ascent.

With the assistance of many friends from Lochaber and Edinburgh, I put together a package of training and planning in order to attempt the round, adopting the fell running style of the Lakeland runners. Would this be possible in the Scottish mountains?

With this attempt, I also decided to raise money for Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (£500.00).

I returned to the Youth Hostel having completed the circuit at 11:58 on Saturday, 9th July with only 2 minutes to spare.

Chris Brasher’s name is synonymous with such achievements as:

Following that meeting, Chris returned south, where using his many networking skills within fell running circles, he increased awareness, interest and enthusiasm about the round resulting in a steady flow of successful attempts each year from both north and south of the border. 

As of 31st December 2022 there have been 239 successful contenders that have completed the round within 24 hours.

130 have gone clockwise, starting at Glen Nevis Youth Hostel, they headed towards Ben Nevis their 1st Munro.

The fastest mens completion time of 14h 42m was recorded in August 2020 by Finlay Wild

The fastest lady’s completion time of 16h 13m was recorded in June 2016 by Jasmin Paris.

In 1977 Boyd Millen, a stone mason from Cumbria, a member of Kendal Fell Running club and a member of the Long Distance Walkers Association, having already completed the Bob Graham Round, he decided to have a go at a Double Bob Graham, a challenge hitherto never attempted. 

His completion time for the challenge was 53h 30m. 

With that time on record, it now seems “Game On” for Double attempts of the 

Big 3 U K Mountain Challenges.

Bob Graham, England: Paddy Buckley, Wales: and Charlie Ramsay, Scotland:

To date the Bob Graham Round has 8 success stories, with 3 completions within 48 hours.

The fastest time recorded was set in 2021 by Dougie Zinis in 45h 03m.

The Paddy Buckley has one successful Double Round set by Nicky Spinks in 2019 in a completion time of 57h 27m.

The Charlie Ramsay Round has one successful attempt of a Double Round attempt with a Variation,

set by Nicky Spinks in 2018, her completion time was 56h 45m.

 Excellent achievements by all. 

 My definition of a Double Charlie Ramsay Round is as shown.

Contenders must start and finish each round at Glen Nevis Youth Hostel, by traveling either clockwise or anticlockwise, as per a conventional round; all Munros must be visited in their correct order, with completion being achieved within 48 hours. 

Only successful contenders completing both rounds within the challenge time of 48 hours will be listed on the finisher’s page. 

Contenders who complete their double attempt outwith 48 hours, or do a variation of the round, will not be listed on the finisher’s page but may be noted if appropriate within this website.

See below:

Nicky Spinks was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s birthday honours 2018, for her services to sport and charity.

Starting on 30th June 2018, Nicky, from Yorkshire and a member of Dark Peak Fell Runners, was the 1st person to attempt a Double Ramsay’s Round with a variation: 46 Munros within 48 hours = 112m/188km – 57,000ft/17,380m.

Nicky set off from Glen Nevis Youth Hostel, aided by a carefully selected support team, for all elements of the challenge.

In 2011 Tom completed the round within 24 hours: No 62, 22 hours 53 minutes

In 2010 Jon completed the round within 24 hours: No 58, 23 hours 07 minutes

Whilst a winter attempt can be clearly recognised and defined as per the meteorological definition of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, 1st December until 28th (29th) February, we may not necessarily, within that period, experience winter conditions as invariably experienced on the Lochaber mountain ranges. Thus leaving the contender with little or no opportunity to pit their winter skills, experience and equipment against the elements and challenges that could potentially be out there. Winter conditions are difficult to specifically define as there are so many personal views and opinions as to what constitutes “winter conditions” e.g. we have examples of “Classic, Arctic, Horrendous, Fantastic, Brilliant and Awful”, to quote a few. Additionally, does this mean winter conditions at high or low level? Are we confined to GMT, as winter conditions can often extend well into BST and onwards into Spring. Being mindful of the above and without a clear definition of what constitutes winter conditions, provided a contender completes the round within 24 hours, all that will be recorded on the finishers page of this website will be their finishing number, finishing date, name, finishing time and direction C or AC. Any additional text they wish to use to support their achievement can be reflected in their own Summary Report, their Facebook or Blog.

Swanston was their chosen venue for their celebrations as many of their training sessions and preparation for the round started by accessing the Pentland Hills via the Regional Park parking area at Swanston.

Charlie and Bobby were both round contenders and Pete was one of many support runners. Pete accompanied the team from the start, completing all of the Mamore’s and the 3 munros east of Loch Treig before finishing at the second transition area at Fersit.

Sadly, Bobby sustained a leg injury and had to retire shortly after 15 munros, having completed approx. 2/3rds of the journey.

Charlie, Pete and Bobby still keep in touch with each other on a regular basis and get out onto the hills as often as they can.

Mike Hartley (No 10) completed all three rounds consecutively in 3 days 14 hours and 20 minutes in July 1990, covering a distance of 187 miles with 83,000 feet of ascent to include 113 tops.

This challenge has been successfully completed by

No 4 Helen Diamantides

No 6 Adrian Belton

No 52 Jon Chapman

No 62 Tom Phillips

No 91 Jasmin Paris

No 95 Tim Ripper

To date a total of 79 finishers of Ramsay's Round have completed the Big Three .

To find out more visit www.gofar.org.uk 

Carnethy is one of the UK’s premier hill running clubs and is certainly the largest of its kind in Scotland, with a very wide ranging membership of hill runners of all categories.

Carnethy H R C looked at alternative hill/mountain challenges, to retain optimum membership interest in the hills.

0ne challenge was that the club, using their wide range of members, would attempt to bag all of the 282 Munros, in a single day, a challenge that had been attempted many times in the past, but never completed.

With an excellent organisational team, support teams, etc. and of course many runners capable of running more than just 1 munro, which was required in some of the remotest parts of Scotland.

The challenge was completed on Saturday the 14th of August 2021.

Well done Carnethy.

Be proud.

The club continues to seek interesting Hill/Mountain challenges for its members.

Following the Munro’s Success in 2021 it was suggested that as a team, consideration should be given to climbing all of the 222 Corbett’s in Scotland. Hills/Mountains, between 2,500ft and 3000ft or 762m to 913m on a selected date in 2022 The agreed date was Saturday 28th May 2022.

Following months of meticulous preparation and planning the challenge was good to go. Drawing on excess of 200 club members who were positioned all over Scotland, the club saw individuals and groups with varying levels of hill expertise on the summits of all of these Corbett’s on Saturday 28th May 2022

Another 1st for the club.

A huge success story. Without the organising committee and the many club members involved, this challenge would not have come to fruition.

Well done Carnethy.

In June of this year, a team of 6 members of Black Trail Runners, from south of the border, led by their co-founder Sabrina Pace-Humphreys came to Scotland. 

Their aim was to sample the Lochaber hills/mountains and in particular the route and peaks of Ramsay’s Round. 

They were guided and supported by Girls on Hills Ltd who compiled an excellent 3 day venture of the round including the quality of Lochaber hospitality, providing them with many happy memories and experiences of Scotland.

One is certain that they will be back in the very near future, with a view to some of them aiming for a sub 24 hour target time.

Haste ye back

We wish them well. 

Aaron and his Dad decided to attempt the round over 3 days. Day 1= 12 hours, Day 2=13 hours and Day 3=16, hours this included backpacking. Dad carried a huge pack and Aaron a day pack. They headed off in an anticlockwise direction, with excell ent weather conditions and managed to get round well within the 3 day target duration.

They operate from their recently opened headquarters within Claggan Estate in Fort William. The team provides assistance to a variety of people who go into the hills including walkers, climbers, skiers, para gliders and even mountain bikers. For more information, contact Ramsay's Round.