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A History of Hill Running
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With thanks to Jamie Thin and the editor of the Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal
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The first recorded mountain ascent in Scotland is often thought to date from 1590, when
"Mad" Colin Campbell of Glenlyon climbed Stuc `an Lochain. But long before that, running
across the hills was the only way to spread an urgent message.
Michael Brander (Ref 1) has traced the history:
"In the wild and mountainous highlands, where no roads existed, and peat bogs,
boulders and scree were likely to slow down or cripple even the most sure-footed
horse, by far the quickest means of communication was a man running across country.
The "Crann-tara" or fiery cross was the age-old method of raising the clansmen in
time of need. It was made of two pieces of wood fastened together in the shape of
a cross, traditionally with one end alight and the other end soaked in blood.
Runners were dispatched to all points of the compass and as they ran they shouted
the war cry of the clan and the place and time to assemble".
The clan chieftains began to arrange races amongst the clansmen to find the fastest
man to carry the Crann-tara. The story of the first Braemar gathering
(Ref 2), is also the story of the first recorded hill-race in Scotland.
Malcolm Canmore (1057-1093) held this first gathering at Braemar. The race was from
Braemar to the top of Craig Choinich and back. Honour was at stake, but also a prize
of a purse of gold and a fine sword:
"All the challengers set off led by the favourites, the two elder Macgregor brothers,
but at the last moment the third and youngest Macgregor brother joined the back of
the field. The youngest brother caught his elder brothers at the top of the hill
and asked "Will ye share the prize?" The reply came back "Each man for himself!".
As they raced back down the hill he edged into second place and then dashed past
his eldest brother. But as he passed, his eldest brother despairingly grabbed him
by his kilt. But slipping out of his kilt, the younger brother still managed to win,
if lacking his kilt!"
Perhaps that is why kilts are no longer (normally) worn in today’s hill races!!
For a wealth of English Fell Running history, see Bill Smith’s remarkable work,
(Ref 3) which includes an account of the attempts by Lancashire County Police to stamp out nude
fell racing on Whitworth Moor in the (presumably hot) summer of 1824. Attempts to revive
this custom in Scotland have been thwarted by midges, wind and rain.
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