The Great Outdoors Challenge

The TGO Challenge is an annual self-supported walk across the Highlands of Scotland, west coast to east coast. The Challenge was the idea of Hamish Brown, the writer and mountaineer, and has taken place every May since 1980. Still known to some old timers as the “Ultimate Challenge” after the original sponsor, Ultimate Equipment, it was subsequently sponsored by The Great Outdoors (TGO) magazine.

It is now entirely independent, but enjoys the support of major sponsors who recognise the popularity and reach of this event in the outdoors community. More information can be found on the Challenge website.

Many challengers have published their diaries of the event on personal blogs. Trouble is, as is the nature of blogs, time rolls on and these posts slowly disappear from view. And of course most of the pre-digital diaries and stories have never been shared beyond family and friends. This is a shame, as there are some great stories out there. So we have gathered a few here for the enjoyment of fellow challengers, and to encourage those who may be thinking about taking up the Challenge.

The Challenge Diaries

Louise Evans’ 2015 Challenge – Dornie to Kinnaber Links.

David Williams on his first Challenge – Mallaig to Stonehaven 2013

Craig and Vicky Gulley’s 2014 Challenge – Mallaig to Stonehaven

Phil Lambert on the 2014 Challenge and more

Louise Evans’ first Challenge – Shiel Bridge to St Cyrus

Jean Turner’s 2011 Diary – Ardrishaig to Lunan Bay

Phil Lambert’s 2011 Challenge – Torridon to Arbroath

Gordon Green’s 2009 Challenge – Strathcarron to St Cyrus

Jean Turner’s 2007 Challenge – Ardnoe Point to Rattray Head

Alan Sloman’s 2005 (his tenth) Challenge – Acharacle to St Cyrus

Jean Turner’s 2005 Challenge – Shiel Bridge to St Cyrus

Derek Goffin on the ‘Top Half of The Highlands’ 2009 – Oban to Montrose

The 1990s

Ken Proudler’s 1999 Challenge – Strathcarron to Arbroath

Derek Emsley’s “Three Generation” Challenge 1999

Geoff Reed’s 1995 Challenge – Oban to Arbroath

The early days – the 1980s

Peter Goddard’s Diary 1989 – Shiel Bridge to St Cyrus

Peter Goddard’s Challenge Diary 1988 – Lochailort to St Cyrus

John Hutchinson’s 1986 Challenge – Lochailort to Montrose

Mike Daniel’s 1987 Challenge with Iain Matheson – the 4000ft route.

Derek Emsley’s first Challenge in 1983

Peter Goddard’s 1983 Challenge with Mic Connel

This page was begun long before blogging & vlogging became universally accessible to all. The organisers of the TGO Challenge have now set up a dedicated page with links to the many participants individual websites, blogs etc. To find the latest just visit The Challenge Blogroll.

We remain interested in recording diaries from pre-digital times, so if you have a story from the eighties or nineties to share we’d love to help with publishing. We can scan photos, negatives (preferred if poss) and slides. Interested? Then just click on the ‘Contact Us’ link below to get in touch.