When it comes to challenges that test both your physical endurance and your spirit of camaraderie, few are as extraordinary as running 126 kilometres over two days through some of Scotland’s most breathtaking landscapes. But that’s exactly what I, along with two of my dental friends Derek Marner and Stuart Campbell, embarked on. An ambitious and exhilarating journey along the Rob Roy Way, all in the name of charity.
Our goal? To raise funds for the Canmore Trust, an incredible organization dedicated to helping individuals and their families in need.
The Rob Roy Way: A Path of Beauty and Challenge
Stretching across 126 kilometres from Drymen to Pitlochry, the Rob Roy Way offers a stunning route through some of Scotland’s finest countryside.
Named after the legendary Scottish outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor, the trail takes you along forest paths, over the hills, along the sides of lochs, and passing through charming villages. Each step feels like a leap through time, with rugged mountains looming in the distance, and the beauty of the Scottish Highlands surrounding you.
For us, this wasn’t just about the views. It was a test of endurance, teamwork, and determination, as we aimed to complete 126 kilometres in just two days.
It’s one thing to look at the map and plan a route, but another entirely to feel the aching muscles, the exhaustion, and the mental grit required to keep pushing forward. But knowing we were running for something bigger than ourselves made each step worth it.
The Team: Three Friends and a Common Purpose
As dentists, my two friends and I spend our days focused on the well-being of our patients, fixing smiles and relieving pain. But for this endeavour, we wanted to create smiles of a different kind – not just through our professional work but by giving back to a cause that resonates with us all.
The Canmore Trust is a charity that works with schools, colleges and universities to raise awareness of suicide and suicide prevention. The trust works with individuals challenged by suicide and families affected by suicide, and trains individuals to provide support and assistance to others. It’s an organization that makes a real, lasting difference, and we felt strongly about doing our part to support its mission.
As a team, we bonded over the shared goal of raising funds for the trust while pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zone. After months of early morning sunrise runs, late-night training runs, and long run days, the training was complete, and we were ready to face the challenge. After all, running 126 kilometres over two days was going to be no small feat!
Day One: The Start of the Adventure 68km, 1140 m elevation, 8 hours 40 mins
We began our journey with excitement and anticipation, setting off from Drymen with a crisp morning breeze and the sun slowly creeping over the hills. We were joined at the start by 3 runners who would run with us for the first 30km, Dentist Ciara Baxter, Brendan and runner Grant MacDonald who had run along with Stuart in a previous endurance challenge. Spirits were high as we ran through rolling hills, winding paths, and dense woodlands. We were fuelled by the camaraderie and banter in our group and the thought of the people who would benefit from our efforts.
The first day was demanding. We covered over 68 kilometres, including several steep ascents and descents that left us crying out for a break from hours of running. Along the way, we encountered some of the most stunning views, including the surrounding hills peeking out over the cloud inversions and some incredibly stunning lochs.
Another runner joined us as we set off from Aberfoyle, local Dentist Sally Gallacher, which was a great lift to our spirits and gave is a well needed boost. The landscape was a much-needed distraction, giving us constant awe and taking the thoughts off the painful legs and bodies. But the real motivation came when we reminded ourselves why we were running—every step was helping raise money for the Canmore Trust.
After quick stop, bite to eat at founders of the Canmore Trust John and Isobel’s house, which was conveniently on the route at around 30km, a change of clothes and refilling of water bottles, we started the second part of the day, another 38km on the trails and hills before finishing at Killin 68km from the start point, covering 1140 m of elevation , and 8 hours 40 mins after we started that morning.
We had crossed the first major milestone covering just over half the route on day one, but there was still much work ahead in day 2.
Day Two: Pushing Through to the Finish - 58km, 1500m elevation, 9 hours 20 mins
Waking up sore but determined, we said our goodbyes and thankyous to our hosts John and Isobel Gibson from the Canmore Trust and set off on day two to complete the remaining 58 kilometres. The aches from the previous day made themselves known immediately as we started a relentless climb straight out of the village of Killin, the 10k uphill certainly got the legs working and lungs bursting early in the morning. No turning back now. Every kilometre felt harder, but the support between the 3 of us, and with the key reason to raise money for the Canmore trust made all the difference. We leaned on each other during the tough stretches, lifting each other’s spirits when someone was struggling, and pushed each other through the pain as by now we were all feeling the fatigue from the 68km the day before taking effect.
We covered some incredible terrain along the length of South Loch Tay, significant amount of the route is up high in the hills, dropping down to the loch side, then back up into the hills, stunning views throughout the length of the loch, passing Kenmore down to our left, a refuel stop at Aberfeldy set us for the final stage.
The route from Aberfeldy ran along the riverside for around 8-10km, until reaching the village of Strathtay there was the final steep climb for a few kilometres through bracken and open hillside to the top of the final hill where we were greeted by the sight of the picturesque town of Pitlochry in the distance. The finish line was in sight, and it felt like an overwhelming surge of energy took over. We had come so far – physically, mentally, and emotionally. And finally, after 126 kilometres, as the sun set on our 2nd day, we reached our goal, bodies broken, tired, but elated.
Why We Did It: The Power of Giving Back
Completing this incredible challenge wasn’t just about running. It was about raising money and awareness for the Canmore Trust, an organization that is making a profound impact on the lives of those who need it most.
The Canmore Trust is a charity that works with schools, colleges and universities to raise awareness of suicide and suicide prevention. It works with individuals challenged by suicide and families affected by suicide, and trains individuals to provide support and assistance to others. The funds we raised during this journey will help provide critical support to the individuals and families who need it the most.
In addition to the physical aspect, our run highlighted the importance of teamwork and perseverance. These values are not just relevant in the world of Dentistry, but in everything we do, whether you’re running a parkrun, a 10k, a half or full marathon by working together we can all make a difference in our community.
Thank You
A massive thank you to everyone who supported us on this journey, whether through donations, kind words, or just cheering us on. Your encouragement made all the difference.
We are incredibly proud of what we achieved together, and we hope our story inspires others to take on their own challenges for a good cause.
To everyone who helped us raise funds for the Canmore Trust: thank you for your generosity. You are the ones who made this possible. We couldn’t have done it without you and raise such a fantastic amount of money for a worthy cause.
As we reflect on the two days of running, we are reminded that sometimes the greatest rewards come not from the finish line, but from the journey itself, our friendships, and especially when that journey helps those in need.
If you would like to support the Canmore Trust, please visit their website below or consider donating to this wonderful cause through my JustGiving page. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps create positive change in the world.
Thank you for helping make a difference!
https://thecanmoretrust.co.uk/
https://www.justgiving.com/page/chris-barrowman-1
Chris Barrowman