Return to Durness Local News

12th May 2006

Cape Wrath Challenge

Next week opening with the “meet and greet” on Sunday evening is the start of the fifth year of the Cape Wrath Challenges.  The first run is on the Monday and this year the Haldane’s half marathon will start 13.1 miles south of the village on the Richonich road. The participants will enter the village after running alongside the river Dionard under the shadow of Fionaven and Cranstackie and alongside the Kyle of Durness. This is one of the few changes to the running itinerary, an alteration from the Loch Eriboll approach. A 10K option is also offered. The social programme which is presented as part of the weeks package starts on the Monday Evening at 8.00 pm with the Quiz night at the Sango Sands Oasis.  On Tuesday 16th is   Haldane’s Sangomore Hill Run with an evening event to watch professionals and for novices to have a go at Clay Pigeon Shooting  On Wednesday The River Dionard – Middle Beat Fishing Round Durness Run and Sheepdog trial demonstration at Keoldale Farm. On Thursday is the John Walker Target Zero Faraid Head Beach Run and in the evening the Beach Bar Be Que and football match on Balnakeil Beach. Local musicians will play while the bonfire crackles and the sun sets. After dark Graham Bruce will conduct a spooky walk around Balnakeil to tell stories of mystery and intrigue of horrific historical events. 

Friday is runners rest day and the Coastguard has agreed to give a demonstration in the afternoon on the Caa around Sango. This will include the arrival of the Stornaway helicopter, unless an event arises that requires their attendance!   On Saturday 20^th  is   the Campbell Lutyens Cape Wrath Challenge for individuals and teams to run a marathon to Cape Wrath, Mainland Britain’s most North westerly point and back to the village. Interspersed throughout the week will be walks with countryside ranger and events in the local hotels and restaurants.  This cumulates the week of running and in the evening with the winner’s presentations the end of the Challenges week will be marked in appropriate style with a meal and a Ceilidh, a traditional Highland dance with a local band, and a bar.

Race registration, information and details of all the events will be available at the Village Hall. Anyone wishing to participate should contact the administration at the village hall 01971511346. Everyone is invited to participate in any of the events social or running.

Balnakeil Craft Village

The craft business in Balnakeil have come together to publish a Web site explaining the crafts and arts that are currently available. For information and details visit www.balnakeil.com

Cape Wrath Bombing Range

Cape Wrath range including Garvie Island will be active with various combinations of air bombardment, naval gunfire support and helicopter operations during the following dates: 05, 06, 07, 08 and 09, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24, 26, 27, 28 & 29 JUN 2006. When the range is active, red flags will be flown and sentries stationed on the Cape Wrath road.

Normally the Daill to Cape Wrath road will remain open during air bombardment operations on Garvie Island only, however the nature of some practices and in the interests of public safety may cause closure.  The road will be closed on the following dates: 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 June 2006. Advice can be sought from the sentries, who will be in contact with the range officer conducting the practice, or by contacting the freephone number.  However, whatever the nature of the air bombardment practice, under no circumstances is any person to leave the road or proceed anywhere onto the land particularly the land north of the road within the range area, when the red flags are flying. For further information on the opening and closing of the road telephone the range freephone number 0800 833300.