The Other Highland Fling

Here are a couple of videos of the Highland Fling. I think all these people have issues with  some chemical interventions - Why would you do this?

The Wiggles Nursery Rhymes - The Highland Fling - YouTube

The Highland Fling Scottish traditional dance performed at Kenmore Highland Games July 2019 - Bing video

The Highland Fling is easy to learn and very difficult to do properly, especially the bit where the two hands go over the head.

All Highland Dancers have  leg muscles like tree trunks and suffer from achilles tendon issures for the rest of their lives.

I think the dance has origins in the mating rituals of the Red Deer,

The mind boggles.

Anyway, here's a different type of Highland Fling.

I've stolen the best bits from the Race Book. I did not make any of this up apart from the bits I admit to.

Highland Fling Ultramarathon

Saturday 23rd April 2022

Start time: 06:00am

Evidence of a negative test will be needed.

Saturday The bus leaves the Green welly at 3.45 am ( CR; Whit?)

Do what the marshals tell you.  Always. No arguing!

Race numbers must be worn on your front, and must be visible to marshals at all times. ( CR; please remove the blood and cow pooh!)

Fitted wrist bands must not be removed until after the race ( CR or accidently hand them to a better runner for a better time on the chip)

All runners must carry a foil blanket,waterproof jacket/smock, charged/switched on mobile phone ( CR please collapse in an area of mobile reception. Which could be only 3 miles of the 56 mile race. Yes 56 miles, Mostly uphill.)

Limited earphone use allowed: please see explanation of earphone rules on  lower page. (CR ; the wearing of earphones means you might not be able to hear the fact that you have ceased to breathe at all) 

The casual race-day use of ibuprofen etc is forbidden, you need a prescription. (CR What about a fine malt or some Irn Bru?)

Covid rates in Scotland remain high, with hospital numbers recently reaching a new peak. Neg lat flow needed at registration.

Masks must be worn  ( CR 56 miles uphill at  before 7 AM and they want you to wear a mask!!!) when at checkpoints, and while standing or moving around inside any of the  finishline marquees. ( CR mobile Hospital areas)

3:45am: Coach leaves from the Green Welly Stop in Tyndrum. ( CR This is the coach heading south to the start in north Glasgow. I presume they leave cars in Tyndrum,  go south, run the race and end up back in Tyndrum. The Tyndrum Inn is staying open until 1:00am. Good lads that they are!)

Packup kerfuffle. ( CR This occurs at some point. I have no idea what it is but feel compelled to get involved)           

Use your common sense. ( CR It's a 56 mile race - What common sense?)

It’s Scotland, and it’s April. 

Bad or changeable weather,we  would strongly recommend you carry full waterproofs and extra   clothing.

              However, in the event of a life-threatening emergency out on the trail please call police then mountain rescue and race control.

                     The race will take 13-14 hours. (CR it would take me a fortnight)

The Earphone Rules- Earphones may be used, but MUST be taken out of ears completely at certain points along the race route:

- when you’re approaching a road crossing         

- when you’re approaching a checkpoint

- if you see a marshal in hi-viz anywhere along the race route      

- on any section of trail narrow enough that you’re running single file        

Marshals DO NOT have  the power to stop traffic and you are at all times responsible for  your own           safety. 

Runners must not accept any external assistance during the event, i.e. your friends/family are not   

allowed to feed and water you or give you fresh clothing/shoes at any point in the event.  ( CR I'm not sure people in this race will have any friends....)

Apart from the medal, race t-shirt  and goody bag,the following treats are available  all runners:

Homemade soup and rolls- courtesy of The Real Food Café (there will be vegan/gluten free           options). ( CR the readers of this blog are well aquainted with the cakes from the Real Food Cafe!)

Ice cream- courtesy of Mackies  and The Real Food Café

Unlimited tea and freshly brewed coffee for all runners. There might even be beer too!

Post-race massage – please showerfirst!

Heated marquees to relax in

(CR Another marquee for the DeFib)

              Tea and coffee will be  served  until about 9:30pm, and the marquee will remain

open until about 11pm.

This Highland Fling started, almost accidentally in 2006 when original organiser Murdo McDonald put on a low key training run for local runner Ellen McVey’s West Highland Way race.

              That first year fewer than 20 runners took part.Now 1000 is the norm.             

              Beware of Cow Poo Alley, where runners could sink kneedeep at any time.Please  note  that the alley now been upgraded, and is clean andtidy and boring. With No cows.

On your marks.....

CR- Here's a bit of their scenery as they suffer...

There's a Highland Pony in this picture. It's an expert. It's outstanding in its own field.

The finish line!

Caro Ramsay 

April

 Sunday 24th - Loch Leven Community Library

                         Writing Workshop

                          From Blank Page to Publisher

 

Wednesday 27th - The Tartan Book Club

 May

 Early May - Interview for Aye Write with Alan Parks and Liam McIlvanney

 Saturday 14th - Crimefest Bristol

                         10:10 -  LAW AND DISORDER: CROSSING LINES

 Sunday 15th - Crimefest Bristol

                        09:30 - LONG-TIME FRIENDS: WRITING A LONG-STANDING SERIES

 Sunday 22nd - Aye Write Glasgow

                         Caroline Shrager and SJ Bennet

 

September 

Thursday 8th - Sunday 11th

Bouchercon Festival - Minneapolis