Trail de Blair Castle Weekender

In the middle of the Flowers of Scotland (Fleurs d'Écosse), we’re offering an unparalleled event. Not a rugby match 🏉, of course, but a stunning trail in the United Kingdom 🏃.

Meet in May at the Blair Castle near Blair Atholl for a wild weekend 🤙. Here, we’re in the true, raw, natural Scotland 🧑‍🎨. Very Scotland—the landscapes you usually see on social media 📱—you’ll run right through them: classy stuff 😎. People often say that the weather in Scotland is rainy 🌧️ and windy 💨, but in May you’ll just enjoy yourself! 🦶 These are perfect conditions 👌 to do a trail. And finally, if you’re feeling generous with motivation, you’ll have a choice of 5 routes 🖐 ! Plus a kids’ race! 🧒

In the region of Perth & Kinross, the “land of big trees”, you’ll run a good chunk of it through the woods 🌳, no matter which of the 5 distances you choose. If motivation is there, you’ll head for the “Full Tilt Ultra”, a distance of 58 km. You’ll climb two munros, Scottish mountains ⛰️ rising over 900m high. The total elevation gain? You’ll find out as you go, we keep the suspense until the end 🙃. After all, the “Écosse” 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 is full of surprises 🎁. One more, one less… 🤫 You also have the “Dearg Up n‘ Doon” of 30 km where you’ll get to do only one ☝️ munro this time. It’s still quite a tall order—the legs will burn 🔥 but you’ll love it 🥰. The “Atholl Trail Half Marathon” starts the next day for 21 km through lochs 🛶 and the forest paths 🌲. It’s one of the most loved for a reason—you’ll produce plenty of lactic acid for the month without having your lungs on the floor 🫁. It’s 21 km of pure joy! 🤩 For 13 km, you can do the “Banvie Burn”: a bite-sized bundle of fun 🎉 in the middle of the nature 🌳. Keep your eyes peeled 👀 to soak up as much atmosphere as possible around you. If you’re lucky, you’ll meet some country’s typical animals 🐑, notably the horses of breed Shetland 🐴. They’re fluffy and short-legged but absolutely adorable 😻. If you’re less of a mileage fan (and let’s face it, that’s not as tasty as a Sunday Roast 🍲), and you want to go easy or you’re a beginner wanting to get into trail with guidance, “Diana’s Grove”, by 7 km, is the perfect race for you 🫵. No huge mountains to climb 🧗 like its big sisters of 58 km and 32 km BUT a few technical sections and some elevation 📈 not to be neglected! Sam Heughan will have to stand tall—the real soldier will be you!

To Blair Atholl, no one will be left out: we’re sharing everything together 👥. Kids are very welcome 🙌 and can also join their own trail. The “Kids Fun Run” is the perfect race for little runners to shine 🏅. And because happiness doesn’t arrive alone, plenty of other surprises await 🎊: an outdoor cinema 🎬, a yoga session 🧘, camping 🏕️, talks 🎤, small concerts 🎶… A festive weekend from start to finish! 🥳

In the area, recovery is festive but also touristy! 🤠 The Scottish spirit isn’t just about Scotland 🥃 and whisky 🥃 and Loch Ness 🐟. And yes, alcohol should be enjoyed in moderation ⚠️. Scotland is also about castles 🏰, aqueducts 🌉, and stunning cliffs, the architecture neogothic architecture… If you want to take a small road trip 🚗 it’s the moment! Besides the charming village 🏘️ of Blair Atholl and its castle dating from the XIIIème siècle, you’ll have many charming spots to explore—this time with a more relaxed pace 😌. A multitude of hikes 🥾 await you in Glen Tilt, with visits to Balmoral, St Andrews, Inverness or Edinburgh for those not afraid to drive on the left. After your race, you’ll likely want to fill your head with memories, your heart with joyful moments, and your stomach with good food 🥘! You’ll meet many different styles depending on your visits, but don’t leave without tasting the smoked Scottish salmon, a hearty bowl of stovies (made with potatoes 🥔), the haggisor traditional pies 🥧 and desserts 🍮 made with Scotch such as the cranachan !

So, ready to roam in the land of the thistles ? 🌸