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The Highland Cross

The Highland Cross is a  50-mile duathlon (20 miles on foot, 30 miles on bike) traversing the spectacular Scottish Highlands coast to coast, west to east from Kintail through Glen Affric and Strathglass to Beauly.

Highland Cross exists to raise money for causes that benefit the people of Highland, disadvantaged by disability, ill health or social need.

Entry to the Highland Cross is by invitation only for 265 teams of 3 (795 persons) of all athletic abilities; walkers, joggers, runners and cyclists. Teams must pledge to raise a minimum of £500 in sponsorship for the charities nominated by Highland Cross.  Charities interested in becoming beneficiaries from Highland Cross should consult the "Charities" page and fully examine the funding conditions before applying.

Members of the Highland Cross Community will have seen news coverage of the tragic death of a PDG Aviation Services pilot in a crash in North Uist on 13^th June.

PDG has been part of the Highland Cross Community since the start of the event and not only as our superb aerial cover but also through generations of their staff being fundraising participants in the event.

We have expressed our profound sadness to their CEO at this terrible loss.

The Highland Cross Organisers

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Safety Warnings

Road Conditions - Chisholm’s Bridge to Fasnakyle Power Station

This section of the route has been subject to heavy wear and tear from use and severe weather. Considerable patching to the road surface has been undertaken to improve the road condition.

However this section must be ridden with considerable caution

Road Conditions – Junction between the Strathglass road (A 831) and the road to Beauly (A 862) at Lovat Bridge

During a route survey it was identified that there are extremely rough road surface conditions at the bend where you leave the Strathglass road and join the Inverness to Beauly road for the last mile into Beauly.

Highland Council has indicated that it will be patching in this area but they do not anticipate any great improvement being achievable before 23^rd June.

Participants must anticipate this area and ride with appropriate caution. Remember the road at this stage is open to normal traffic and vehicles may be coming towards you on the uphill carriageway.

The bend is at Grid Reference 514 449 on OS Sheet 26

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Mrs Susan Reid

The Organisers of Highland Cross were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Susan Reid.  Susan died peacefully surrounded by her family in Highland Hospice on Thursday 17^th May.  Susan was a volunteer with the Cross from the beginning working at the Athnamulloch Feeding Station at the start of the “Yellow Brick Road”. Ultimately she and her dear friend Angie Knapp led the team that delivered the amazing level of service enjoyed by participants and fellow volunteers. Recently due to health challenges Susan and Angie passed over the leadership of the site to their daughters Fiona and Janie.

Susan has been cared for in the Hospice for a while but retained a constant interest in the arrangements for the forthcoming Cross. It is sadly fitting that Highland Hospice is one of the nominated beneficiaries for this year’s event. Susan was the most reliable of friends and had an amazing warmth and joy in the company of people which made her perfect for her role in the Cross.  Our deepest condolences go out to her husband, Jim, and her whole family.

Calum Munro

Co-Founder and Organising Secretary

Highland Cross

Highland Cross 2018 commemoratives
With two months to go to Highland Cross 2018 you may be looking at what to purchase to mark your contribution to the day either as a supporter or participant.  Long standing supporters of Highland Cross, The Sign Centre, are selling a range of commemorative items including sweat wicking tee shirts and heavy cotton hoodies.  Click here to see examples of the designs and the order form.

Crossroads Care - Skye and Lochalsh

Crossroads Care - Skye and Lochalsh were thrilled with the delivery and installation of the new signage for their shop in Portree. Having had temporary signs in place since they moved in, Highland Cross kindly funded the making and installation of the signs. Service Manager, Jennifer Millington said “these new signs have changed everything for us, our shop now looks complete and the bold and eye-catching signs will encourage more shoppers in, meaning more funds to allow us to continue to care and support the community of Skye and Lochalsh".

The signs were designed by local designer Hugh Campbell which were part of a new re-branding of Crossroads Care – Skye and Lochalsh, and includes a new logo which has been incorporated into the new signage.

The Highland Cross have also previously donated to the Crossroads Care shop funds for shop fittings and rails, making it easier for us to display our wonderful stock, all of which is kindly donated by the local community to fund care for anyone who needs it in Skye and Lochalsh.

Highland Cross 2019

The invitation list for Highland Cross 2019 will open on Monday 3rd September 2018 and any application for inclusion should be made by email to reach us on that date.

Mrs Cicely Ross, Cannich

1931 - 2018

It is with deep sadness that The Organising Committee has to inform the Community of the Cross of the death of Mrs Cicely Ross the Organiser of the water point at Cannich .  Cicely was buried in her beloved Fasnakyle on Thursday 22nd March and Highland Cross was represented at her funeral service by Gerry Grant and Calum Munro.

Cicely was the Secretary of the Cannich Community Council when she heard “two crazy firemen” – her words - explain the idea of the event that grew into Highland Cross.  She immediately volunteered to organise the water point at Cannich and continued to undertake this role for thirty years. When she “retired” from the role she passed it onto her daughter Sheena but Cicely returned every year to help out or to check that things were being done to her high standards. Every year she prepared vast quantities of tablet for the drinks table to give an energy boost to weary participants and to many regular participants she became known as “Granny Tablet”.  Cicely loved people and this came through in her tireless work for her Community and in her commitment to Highland Cross. Without folk like Cicely the Cross would not exist.   The Community of the Cross is diminished by her passing.

A tribute to Lloyd Arthur
Lloyd Arthur who died recently aged 75 was an enthusiastic presence in establishing Highland Cross in its early years.  It was typical of Lloyd that when he spotted the 1983 Midsummer Madathon challenge on the Raigmore Laboratory notice board, he became one of our first volunteers as the efficient marshal at the Fasnakyle control point.  Inspired by this experience he went on to lead a very good fundraising laboratory team (LSD!) in succeeding years before graduating to be the coordinator for the volunteer units on the foot section stages; he was also on the organising committee in planning the successful staging of the annual event for many years.  Throughout his long illness Lloyd maintained a keen interest in “The Cross” news and in encouraging one of his regular visitors to do “just one more”; he particularly enjoyed a rare outing to attend an annual Highland Cross Charity Gift Presentation evening to the successful major charity beneficiaries that year.

At his Service of Thanksgiving in the Church of Scotland Hilton Church attended by his family, many of his laboratory colleagues and friends, tributes were made to his time as the Session Clerk and as captain of the Boys Brigade there. We were also reminded of his many other sporting activities in golf, squash, hillwalking etc as well as his wide range of interests including holiday travel abroad.  Lloyd’s was a life well lived.

Highland Cross 2017

Yet another record year for Highland Cross fundraising!  10^th record in the last 12 years!

The record figure raised in 2016 from Highland Cross participants was £277,189 but this has been surpassed by Highland Cross 2017 competitors raising a superb total of  £280,346!  This now means that Highland Cross has raised over £4.7million over the 35 years of the event.  On 23 November 2017 the 5 principal charities received presentations:

• Abbeyfield Ballachulish Society received £42,930 to purchase a minibus

• Caberfeidh Horizons received £22,794 to purchase a vehicle

• Dundonnell Mountain Rescue received two new 4 x 4 vehicles

• Merkinch Community Centre Association received a contribution of £58,000 towards their new minibus

• Shopmobility Highland, Dingwall received £50,389 to purchase a minibus

In addition to the primary causes, the participants’ success will also allow some smaller grants totalling over £52,000 to be distributed to charities across Highland over the next month.

The Organisers would once again like to thank competitors, sponsors and volunteers for their continued support of Highland Cross.

Gerry Grant collecting his MBE with his wife Sheila

at Buckingham Palace on 16 November 2017

Highland Cross 2017

Highland Cross 2017 took place on Saturday 17 June 2017.  Click here for all the results.

Photography from Highland Cross 2017 is now available.:

• Click here to view photographs by Rob McConnell

• Click here to view photographs by David Stewart

Highland Cross congratulates Crossroads Skye and Lochalsh

Highland Cross is extremely proud to have assisted the wonderful team at Crossroads Skye and Lochalsh with funding in the past and is grateful to them and to their Manager, Jenny Millington, for having staffed the Lichdt House Water Point in past years.

It has just been announced that that for the SEVENTH year running they have achieved the highest possible score in their Care Commission unannounced inspection. This is a remarkable testament to the commitment of everybody involved in this wonderful service but especially to Jenny Millington and her team who deliver such a much needed service in the remote communities of Skye and Lochalsh.

Highland Cross is proud to be associated with such a wonderful causes and those of you who fundraise for the event and work to make it happen can see the quality of the organisations that your efforts support.

For more on this see:

http://www.whfp.com/2017/07/05/glowing-inspection-report-for-excellent-crossroads-care/

Special Endeavour Trophy Winner 2017 - Ian Stewart 

For those competitors who attended the Presentation on Saturday 17^th June, they have already heard a summary of why Ian Stewart was chosen for the Special Endeavour Trophy for 2017.  Here is a summary, written by Ian’s wife Shelagh, of the events since 2015 and why the Organisers believe that Ian was a suitable candidate for the award.

21 June 2015

Ian comes off bike 13 miles from finish. He doesn't really remember getting back on the bike and his first recollection is 6 miles later on trying to cycle up the Aigas hill with everyone going faster than him. He finishes race but crossing the line Calum spots he doesn't look too great, paramedics immediately check him over - just a sore neck, not another scratch on him. They don't think it can be too serious because he managed to cycle so far. As a precaution they brace his neck and take him to Raigmore. 

X-ray and scans shows it's very serious -  C1, C2 vertebrae are shattered and a spinal artery is severed.  There's an associated risk of paralyses or death but surprisingly he still had full feeling and movement in all limbs. On the plus side the multiple fractures are proven to be 'stable' because he managed to cycle with them for 13 miles. 

Over the next few weeks he goes from head blocks in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to a halo brace making him look like a hat rack but at least he can move about. The surgery options are a bit risky but they're the only ones that would provide the support for his active lifestyle. All along Calum from the Cross was phoning for updates on Ian's condition. Finally a surgery date is set with a great neurosurgeon Mr Alakandy at the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Glasgow. The surgery goes well and his neck is fastened with 4 bolts and pins. After 3 months in the halo, he's into a neck collar and 6 weeks after in December he tentatively starts running and goes back on the Skye Mountain rescue team call out list.
 
He ran the Skye half marathon in June 2016, only a year after the accident. Although easily fit enough to do the cross again his family was not emotionally ready for that!

We had a happy ending, but all that time in hospital you see that for so many others, many of them young, some with young families, it is not like that. And even in a case like Ian's, if luck is not on your side, the outcome can be catastrophic. Good fortune is never to be taken for granted.

Our own good fortune was entirely due to the highland X paramedics, staff and surgeons at Raigmore, Aberdeen and Glasgow. To be part of what must be the most important charity event in the Highlands one more time is a tribute to the systems, communication and all staff of the NHS. This, and support from Calum and the Highland Cross organisers, and all friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues at Sitekit on Skye made the whole experience very positive! We cannot thank everyone enough for their support.

Lost Property
One of our competitors is looking for help in finding a lost item – a custom built bicycle wheel with a black rim, H Plus Son on the rim in white lettering.  Please let us know if you have this by mistake.

We now have a number of items of lost property and perhaps you can get in touch with us should you be missing any of the following:

• Animal Black/Grey striped rucksack with women’s navy/red/green trainers size 7

• Grey/black Trepass Airtrap fleece (L)

• Carrier with yellow trainers and blue children’s Dare2b zipper top

• 1 Garmin watch

• Pair of tortoiseshell glasses

• Pair of Serelo sunglasses

• Pair of BTwin clear cycling glasses

• Black/red/white NorthSport Photography waterproof (XL)

• Cash

Please telephone us on 07729 892 702 or email us on info@highlandcross.co.uk – these items have now been transferred to Redwood, 19 Culduthel Road, Inverness, IV2 4AA.

Miriam Campbell

Highland Cross is deeply saddened to announce the death of Miss Miriam Campbell of Beauly.  Miriam has been a stalwart supporter of Highland Cross since it was invited to place its Finish in Beauly 34 years ago. Along with her sister, Catriona, she organised the collaboration of Ladies Groups who continue to supply the meal to participants in the Phipps Hall.  Her brother James is the Highland Cross’s Beauly Organiser.

Miriam was the epitome of a Highland lady and was deeply committed to her family and to the well being of her community. Her death is a sore loss for all who knew and cared for her.  Highland Cross will be represented at her funeral in Beauly on Wednesday 7^th June.

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Freedom of Beauly and the Glens Award

Highland Cross were delighted to be amongst the organisations supporting the award of the "Freedom of Beauly and the Glens" to the Campbell family from Beauly.  James Campbell was instrumental in arranging for the second event to switch its finish from Inverness to Beauly.

Beauly is in many ways the spiritual home of Highland Cross! James has been the Beauly Organiser for the Cross for the last 34 years and his sisters Miriam and Catriona have been key workers in organising the Beauly ladies' organisations to provide the finish meal for the participants.  As well as their work for the Cross the family has worked tirelessly for the betterment of Beauly and contributed hugely to community and business life.

Highland Cross was represented at the Freedom Ceremony by Calum Munro who was also asked to act as the Master of Ceremonies for the event.