Glentress Duathlon #1, 30 November

Time to see if the night-bikeruns in Glentress had sorted me out for the duathlons ! I had no idea how I'd do, or cope with 140 other cyclists/runners squeezing through the gate at the start. Actually not too bad. The cycle came first - 40 minutes of thigh-busting forest trails and paths. I put in all my effort....then had virtually nothing left for the run. 40 minutes later it was all over. But the best part of the event was the prize-giving -Pete Baxter puts in so much effort to this event and it shows. The drive to and from the event was in incredibly beautiful frosty scenery. More info on the event is on the Glentress Duathlon site and some photos of the day (but not the race) are on my Flickr page.

Tinto, 29 November

Trying to recover from a cold and test myself to see if I was prepared for the Glentress Duathlon, I went for a walk up Tinto from the south. It's quite different from this direction when compared to coming in from the north. The sun hits the southern slopes all day and the route is far less obvious. I struggled up the hill, but the effort was rewarded with a fine view from the summit. More photos on my Flickr page .

Sgurr an Utha, 24 November

This little corbett sits at the entrance of Glenfinnan Estate. Although I've been up the two munros in this area and Streap several times, I'd always by-passed this hill as it's just a wee bit awkwardly placed to include in a hill-bagging circuit. But we were leaving Roshven today, and had just enough time to fit in a quick jaunt up a hill before the journey home. Weather was kind if cold. A fine track (not on my map) made for quick easy progress. Outstanding views for not a lot of effort. More photos on the Flickr page. I missed seeing the otters at Roshven, but hope to get a link to the photos my cousin took of them.

Roshven, 22 November

We were staying at our friend's beautiful eco-house at Roshven on the Sound of Arisaig. The weather wasn't great, but glimpses of the terrific views were occasionally had. I ran up the compact group of three corbetts above Roshven. Pathless grassy ground and fine snowy views. More photos on the Flickr page .

Perthshire Corbetts, 13 November

Birthday is time to bag a hill or two. Unfortunately weather wasn't good today, so a couple of corbetts east of Schiehallion were chosen in place of the Ossian 3 that I had earmarked for this day. With dog and bike, I headed up Meall Tairneachan and Farragon Hill from the west. A track was followed to near the summit of the first hill and beyond. Nose to the compass and map in mist to the second corbett. The mine is a spooky place to come across in a pea-souper.

Corbett bagging in the Borders, 5 November

If you've got a visit to the dentist at lunchtime, what better way to ease the pain by running up a couple of corbetts. Fortunately nothing needing done at the dentist, but a halfday off work was taken all the same to visit White Coomb and Hart Fell. Bob, with his Rolly and myself, with our dog Jake ran up the side of the Grey Mare's Tail into the thick mist smothering the high ground above Moffat. Not the most interesting hills, but quite enjoyable, easily navigated and we came back down in the dark. I've set up a Flickr page and you can see more photos here .

Tinto Hillrace, 9 November

Tinto is a great little hill sitting above the Clyde and Biggar. Every year, runners race up to the summit and back down in times varying from 30 minutes upwards. A record field of 260 fought against the strong headwind on the uphill that made for times some 2 minutes slower than the perfect conditions of last year. Prasad Prasad and Jethro Lennox lead from the start with Jethro winning. I came 17th and 3rd vet. More on the Carnethy site and more photos on the SHR Flickr page .

Pentlands, 2 November

We spent the weekend in North Berwick, doing touristy things such as the Concorde Experience and surprising Tantallon Castle. All greatly enjoyable, but the only exercise was a quick jaunt up North Berwick Law. Returning home, me and the dog finished up the day with a 2 hour run along the eastern peaks of the Pentlands. We ran the usual route, being rewarded with a terrific autumn sunset. This meant that the last hour was in dwindling light, reaching our home in darkness.

Tarmachan, 26 October

This was the weekend that the Original Mountain Marathon (OMM) was called off and, in the eyes of the media, 1700 runners were lost in the Lake District. In Scotland the weather wasn't much better. We headed up towards Loch Tay with the intention of doing the Tarmachan Ridge, Beinn Oighreag and Meall Ghaordaidh. Upon reaching the summit of Tarmachan, the strength of wind combined with thick mist changed our plans - we about turned and aimed to Killin to shop in Killin Outdoor Centre and for a snack and a hot drink at the Smithy.