The Celtman Extreme Scottish Triathlon

When the idea of the 'Celtman! Extreme Scottish Traithlon' event was first mooted in 2012, many local residents around Torridon thought those organising and planning to participate must be crazy. It involved swimming to Shieldaig at 5am before cycling all the way up past Gairloch to Braemore, returning by Garve and Achnasheen, and then running up and over Beinn Eighe. How could that work?

It turned out that it worked quite well and the friendliness and enthusiasm of the Celtman participants won locals over. Alongside Swissman and Norseman, the Scottish Celtman grew in popularity, running on an annual basis each June until 2020 when the race was postponed. Extreme athletes from over 40 different countries would compete, making new friends not only with other athletes but with local accommodation providers and volunteers helping the challenge take place.

The race did go ahead in 2021 but, with travel restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, there were a lot fewer international competitors. When discussing the route, often it is not the rugged mountains or long hours of physical effort needed that are mentioned, but the midges and quantity of jellyfish in the water that swimmers need to tackle in the early hours.

As told by Anne MacRae, resident of Torridon

More information on visiting the area can be found here.