If January sees us setting our New Year’s Resolutions, then many of them fall by the wayside by now.
But if you want to make 2025 a year that you really commit to a challenge – and improve your physical and mental health – then signing up for an outdoor fitness event is a great motivator. Here are some of the best events that are happening across Scotland over the coming months…
The Kiltwalk
Glasgow (April 26 and 27)
Aberdeen (June 1)
Dundee (August 7)
Edinburgh (September 14)
RATING: EASY
(Image: Kiltwalk) Since launching in 2016, the Kiltwalk has quickly established itself as one of Scotland’s most popular outdoor charity events. That’s partly due to its inclusivity (distances walked range from 3 miles to 23 miles), low entry fees (£20 per person) and Gift Aid model that maximises the funds given to participants’ chosen charities. No matter what distance you choose to tackle, it’s all undertaken at a walking pace, meaning that you don’t need to be a mega-fit gym buff to take part. And unlike a lot of other charity fitness events, you can choose to fundraise for any good cause that’s close to your heart, with the Hunter Foundation underwriting the Kiltwalk organisational costs to enable every penny raised to go directly to the charities.
Run Balmoral, Ballater
April 26 and 27
RATING: EASY-MEDIUM
(Image: Run Balmoral) It’s not often that you get the opportunity to run around a royal estate. But that’s exactly what is on offer at Run Balmoral, where you can enjoy a range of routes through the iconic Balmoral grounds, right up to the foot of the castle. Distances range from 1.5 miles to 15 miles (with plenty of options in between) and a mixture of tarmac and trail running. To add to the atmosphere and sense of occasion, they even have a piper playing at one section of the course. It’s one of Scotland’s finest organised runs.
MacTuff 5k & 10k Obstacle Course Challenge, Fife
May 3
RATING: MEDIUM
(Image: MacTuff) A 5k run doesn’t sound that difficult, right? Try adding in dozens of physically-demanding obstacles to climb over, then try doing the whole course through knee-deep mud – and you’ve got the MacTuff challenge. Held at Knockhill Racing Circuit near Dunfermline, it’s sure to be a memorable and muddy day out for participants. With the option of a 5k or 10k, the race is designed to be suitable for all ages or abilities, with many choosing to take part in a team to raise money for a good cause. You are guaranteed to get some entertaining mud-covered photos afterwards, too.
Tour O The Borders, Peebles
September 7
RATING: MEDIUM-HARD
Lovely scenery aside, the key draw of the Tour O The Borders cycling event is that it takes place on closed roads where you don’t have to contend with any traffic. The full route takes in the wilds of the upper Tweed basin, down to Moffat (where you can stop for a quick snack or coffee), before heading up through mountainous terrain towards the Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall and then back down towards Peebles. If you don’t fancy the 74 miles and 1200m of elevation involved in the main route, there’s an alternative ‘challenge route’ with 56 miles to cover and 940m of elevation. Still need convincing? Every participant receives both home-made cake and a macaroni pie.
Go Swim Loch Lomond, Balloch
August 16
RATING: MEDIUM-HARD
(Image: GoSwim)
‘Wild’ swimming has become incredibly popular in recent years. But the physical challenge of open water swimming is quite different to swimming in a pool, making this a tough ask for anyone new to the sport. The benefits are the views – in this case swimming under the shadow of the mighty Ben Lomond – as well as the sense of camaraderie and achievement among your fellow competitors. ‘Go Swim’ includes a range of distances: from the family-friendly 250m to the experts-only 10,000m long-distance swim. There are also sister events being held at Loch Tay on August 16 and at Loch Morlich on September 13.
Grand Old Duke Cycling Event, Aberfoyle
Sunday, 15 June
RATING: HARD
(Image: Duke's Weekender) The tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, stands at around 2,720 feet. At the Grand Old Duke cycling event, in Aberfoyle, participants tackle 10,000 feet of climbing on two wheels – the equivalent of nearly four Burj Khalifas. It is, therefore, a mammoth physical challenge, with 111 miles tackled in one day around the lochs and glens of the Trossachs. Drawing inspiration from the legendary Dukes Pass, which leads from Aberfoyle, this route is a dream for keen cyclists, involving varied gravel tracks and sweeping panoramic views. If the main route sounds a bit intimidating then there are options for two, three or four person relay team entries to distribute the load between several cyclists.
The Great Outdoors Coast to Coast Challenge
May 8-23
RATING: HARD
(Image: The Great Outdoors Challenge) This is a truly epic undertaking. Over a fortnight in May, a brave bunch of participants will embark on a mammoth walk across some of Scotland’s most remote terrain, from one side of the country to the other. You choose your own bespoke route (as well as your start and finish point) provided you follow some set criteria: you must complete the crossing within 15 days, carry all your own kit in a backpack and check in with the organisers at set intervals. Some choose to tackle the route in groups (maximum 4 people permitted), while others trek solo. The organisers proudly state that the “non-competitive nature of the nature of the event fosters a unique camaraderie”, where many challengers “return year after year.” Experienced participants often opt to wild camp, sometimes atop hill summits, but first-time challengers are advised to plot a low-level route. Staying B&Bs or hotels is permitted, but wild camping is strongly encouraged.
