HIGHLAND CROSS - the unique coast to coast midsummer charity duathlon
 

 

 

Highland Cross 2026

 

Participant Bulletin 1 – 30 April 2026

Participant’s Information Booklet
No matter how many Crosses you have taken part in, please study the booklet! There are changes and memory can play tricks on you!
 

Rules
Please read ALL the rules and the Safety Advice
 

Your individual 2026 event number
You have now been issued with your individual event number by SI Entries. This must be displayed on all baggage and bikes that you want Highland Cross to convey for you. Please carefully read page 4 of the booklet.
 

Please note the new requirement concerning the label on the front of your bike. The rear label attached to the saddle is a simple weather proof label but the front label MUST be weatherproof and positioned as in this image.
 


Please ensure that you remove all past event numbers from your bike and baggage!

Rehydration fluid on the course
Whatever the weather you can become dehydrated. Know what your needs are, start properly hydrated and take fluids to meet your needs.

 
We provide both water and rehydration fluid at various points across the whole route.


The water comes from three sources: Tap Water, Hill Burns and Bottled Water. Water from Hill Burns is used at the following points: Glenlicht House Allt Grannda Waterfall Camban Bothy Affric Youth Hostel Meadows Athnamulloch
 

IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO DRINK WATER FROM HILL BURNS,
PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN SUPPLY OR A WATER PURIFYING METHOD OF YOUR OWN CHOICE.


We are trying to reduce the waste on the Cross, please bring a cup or bottle your own cup or water bottle as stated on page 11.
 

If the day looks like being hot, please start the event carrying fluid of your own choice.
 

A warning from our Medical Team
Please see the medical warning on page 11. Our wonderful Medical Team state that:
 

Do not be tempted to start the event carrying an injury or hiding an illness.
 

The Medical Team has advised that no participant should enter the event if they have been in any way unwell in the 48 hours prior to the Start.


Nothing matters more to us than our participants getting home safely. We have had a number of instances of folk allowing their urge to take part to overrule their commonsense and ending up very ill. If you have been unwell prior to the event please do not attend, let us know by e mail that you are dropping out due to medical reasons and get well safely at home.


If our marshals or Medical Team believe that you are not well enough to continue on the course we will withdraw you from the event. If you are moving so slowly that you are unable to complete the course in appropriate time you will be removed from the course. Please see rules 8 and 9 on Page 3.


Safety layouts at the Strathglass/Beauly Toll junction and on the route into the Square for the Finish
Please look closely at the sketch plans on pages 16 and 17. These new provisions have been brought in as a direct result of near misses between participants and oncoming cars.


The final approach into the Square will be as last year and the final chicane into the Finish from the Police control is narrower and over a mix of surfaces including a ramp into the final approach to the Finish Arch.
 

PLEASE study the changes and stay in the coned off lanes for your safety and to protect the future of the event as we know it.

Further regular bulletins will be issued in the run up to the event - please read them all and please check that your team colleagues are getting theirs. If anybody is not getting their bulletin, ask the Team Owner to check the e mail address that is displayed on the team’s SI Entries page and correct it as necessary. If you have problems, check the FAQs page on the event website or as a last resort e mail info@highlandcross.co.uk with details so that we can help you out.


We hope that your training and fundraising is going well!

 

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Participant Bulletin 2 – 8th May 2026


Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance


Many folk will recognise various versions of this old saying – some more polite than others.
With the Cross six weeks away now is the time to check that you have all your preparations in order.
 

Emergency Kit
The Organising Committee expect all participants to carry the Emergency Kit detailed in the event brochure.
1. A whistle to summon help – 6 blasts of the whistle repeated at one minute intervals
2. A weather protective suit
3. A small amount of high energy food
 

You may get away with a tee-shirt and shorts some years but an injury causing a minor slowdown on a windy, damp day can have serious effects and if you end up sitting waiting for help you can be in serious trouble without the emergency gear. Please take it with you.
 

The link below will take you to a superb video from Mountaineering Scotland about the necessity to carry kit in case you have to sit and wait for help. PLEASE WATCH IT and take account of its learning when developing your kit for the day. It was filmed on a windy day with a temperature of 13 deg C – common conditions on Highland Cross. We have had snow on the Cross! A minor twist or sprain can change the whole nature of the risk of the Cross. We will try to get supporting resources to you as quickly as possible, but they will not be immediately there for you.


https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=384326876240796
 

Each year we end up helping find and return gear loaned to injured folk by good hearted fellow participants. This means that the injured party were without the correct kit and other folk put themselves at risk by loaning gear to them!
 

Bike
Every year our wonderful volunteer Bike Doctors work miracles on bikes in Affric Quarry that were not really ready for the day, but there is a limit to what they can achieve! There have even been a number of bikes discovered in the Quarry with repair lists attached to them for their attention! Please make sure that your bike is ready for the event and that you have the spares that you need and can use for punctures etc on the route. Our Support Crews do not have cycle spares or puncture repair sets with them.
 

If you arrive at Bike Loading on Friday and have an urgent need for “bits” our friends from Highland Bikes will have their mobile shop in attendance for last minute purchases.
 

Baggage
Think very carefully about the bags that you are going use to protect your baggage going to Affric and to Beauly. We recommend some sort of robust DRY BAG.
 

The Bike Pound at Affric and the Baggage Pound at Beauly are open to the elements and there is no way that baggage can be kept off the ground in wet conditions. If you are using a rucksack or sports bag, please use strong waterproof bags as a liner. All baggage must bear your event number on a waterproof label, and we recommend that you place a label with your details inside the bag. Please underline the number to indicate how it should be read... 611 can be 119.
 

Fluid and Food on the Foot Section
We will have fluid stations with water or water and rehydrating fluid at regular intervals along the way. We recommend that you start the day carrying some fluid to suit your own needs and if the day is forecast to be hot carry a bit extra.
 

Have you considered your eating pattern on the days up to the event and on the morning of the event?
What food and water are you going to take with you? Ensure that you have high energy foods with you that you know you can eat whilst exercising.
 

You must remain properly hydrated throughout the event. Whatever the weather you can become dehydrated.
Know what your needs are, start properly hydrated and take fluids to meet your needs.
We provide both water and rehydration fluid at various points across the whole route.
The water comes from three sources: Tap Water, Hill Burns and Bottled Water.
Water from Hill Burns is used at the following points:


Glenlicht House
Allt Grannda Waterfall
Camban Bothy
Affric Youth Hostel
Meadows
Athnamulloch


IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO DRINK WATER FROM HILL BURNS, PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN SUPPLY OR A WATER PURIFYING METHOD OF YOUR OWN CHOICE.
 

We are trying to reduce the waste on the Cross, please bring a cup or bottle and use it.
Route Licht House to the Stalkers Path Climb
 

We have been asked for clarification on the “correct” route from Licht House at the head of Glean Licht to the Stalkers’ Path that leads up to the Affric Watershed.

From the Start to the Meadows Waterpoint we are in land held in trust for the Scottish nation by the National Trust for Scotland. It is therefore important that we respect the landscape and keep to the path from the official route follows the long-established footpath from Licht House heading East to the first bridge and then West North West to the second bridge and then onto the stalkers' path.

 

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Participant Bulletin 3 – 15th May
 

Transport to Morvich
Please use the event buses wherever possible!
If you are registered as a Walker please travel on the Walkers’ buses and equally if you are registered as a Runner/Jogger, please travel on the buses scheduled for that start time. We have a juggling act to ensure that we have the correct number of buses in place for each start time. We appreciate that you may want to travel with teammates going at a different time but that causes real challenges to the Bus Schedulers!
 

If you cannot use the event buses, please follow the instructions below…
 

Access to Morvich for folk arriving in non event vehicles
 

Please approach Morvich via the junction at Ault a’ chruinn off the A87 to the South of Morvich and NOT via the junction on the North side of the causeway.

We have applied for a Road Traffic Order on the road and there will be an effective one-way system for access. IN at the Ault a’ chruinn access and OUT at the North side of the causeway.
Parking is extremely limited in the area, and we appeal for participants to be dropped off at the Morvich road T junction before Croe Bridge and for cars to leave the area.
These measures are necessary to reduce disruption to the community of Morvich that hosts the Start and has supported us so generously over four decades and to protect participant and volunteer safety.
 

Morvich Breakfast Bar
The Loch Duich Primary School Parents and Teachers committee intend to organise the Morvich Breakfast Bar once again.
If you intend to avail yourself of an “athletic breakfast” prior to the event, please make sure that you have some cash with you and in small denominations if possible. All funds raised support activities for the young folk.
The Breakfast bar has become something of an institution on the Cross!
 

Fundraising

Highland Cross exists to raise funds for folk in Highland disadvantaged by medical or social causes. We have learnt of some amazing fundraising efforts by participants and we are hugely encouraged by these. Thank you to every team who are exerting themselves to generate the best sum possible.
 

We have four wonderful charities nominated as main beneficiaries:


Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team
Glenurquhart Care Project
Isobel Fraser Home
Skye and Lochalsh Young Carers

Any funds remaining after the pledges to them are fulfilled will be distributed in smaller grants to other Highland charities.
 

In 41 years, participants in Highland Cross have generated £6.6m for charities! This is an amazing total, but the need continues…
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Participant Bulletin 4 – 20th May


Bus choices
The supply of buses in Highland now is challenging and although we have booked sufficient capacity, there is little room to spare.


Therefore, it is vital that participants assist us by being accurate in their bus choices and sticking to them.
Participants have all made their bus choices on their initial application forms. Please ensure that you have made the correct choice of departure point on the Saturday (Inverness or Beauly), and if your circumstances have changed, please amend your entry as soon as possible and no later than Noon Monday 15th June.
Also, if you are changing from being a runner to a walker, or vice versa, please amend your entry by Noon Monday 15th June.


If you are registered as a runner, do not travel on the walkers' buses. We are aware of runners travelling on walkers' buses which has nearly caused a lack of seats for properly registered walkers.
This is important as the organisers are arranging for buses to be in place in line with what competitors have requested.
 

Bike Loading
It helps the organisers to have as many bikes loaded as possible on the Friday evening at Inverness, irrespective of where you depart from on Saturday morning. Again, if appropriate, please amend your record.
 

Safety Equipment
Please review your equipment choices for the day, especially the Safety Equipment that we expect you to have. Please watch the video that we gave you a link to in the last bulletin.
 

Sign Centre merchandise - click here for details on ordering this year's clothing / cap.

 

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Participant Bulletin 5 – 2nd June


Transport, Bike Transport and Walker/Runner choices
Please ensure that you have made the correct choice of departure point on the Saturday (Inverness or Beauly), and if your circumstances have changed, please amend your entry as soon as possible and prior to Noon Monday 15th June.
 

Also, if you are changing from being a runner to a walker, or vice versa, please amend your entry prior to Noon Monday 15th June.
 

NO CHANGES CAN BE MADE AFTER THIS TIME
The changes can be made directly on the SI Entries system by the Team Entry Owner – please make any changes as soon as possible, that will greatly assist us in our planning and bus hire dispositions.
Information on how to make changes is in the FAQ section of the Highland Cross website.

Participants opting to arrive at the Start in their own transport.
Please note that there is NO PARKING at Morvich for supporters’ vehicles.
Please arrange to be dropped off in plenty time to walk the 1 kilometre to the Start and to go through Registration and Safety Band fitting.


Remember that there will be a “one way system” in operation on the road approaching Morvich – IN from Allt a’ Chruinn and OUT via the junction nearest the Dornie Causeway.
 

Safety Equipment.
Please ensure that you have prepared the Safety Equipment that you are expected to carry on the day.
The excellent video from Mountaineering Scotland shows graphically why you must carry it. We have a safety and support system to assist you but it cannot get to you instantly if you have a problem. You must be prepared to look after yourself with the kit that you are carrying. Historically the weather on Highland Cross has varied from snow to heat waves with every conceivable variation!
 

Please review the video at https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=384326876240796
 

Cycle preparedness.
Please ensure that your bicycle is fit for the day and that you have the spares that you need to carry out running repairs in your baggage at Affric to take with you on the journey to Strathglass.
 

Numbering
The correct use of your allocated participant number from SiEntries is vital for the operation of the “safety net”. It identifies you and your bike and should be used for any separate items of belongings such as personal bags etc.
The number is YOU from registration, through the event from start to finish and to the issue of your certificate and team sponsorship returns.
 

YOU are responsible for providing waterproof labels for your bike and luggage.
Your number should be written or typed on the label so there is no doubt as to its meaning. For example “611” if read upside down could be “119” therefore write your number with an underline so that it appears like this “611”
YOU
 

At the registration/start of the event you will be issued with two wrist bands, bearing your event number. These will be fitted to you by the Marshals - do not attempt to self-fit them! One band will be removed at a compulsory safety check at Alltbeithe Youth Hostel, 10 miles into the foot section. The other wrist band will be removed at the change-over site as a positive check over the foot section. A light numbered mesh bib will be provided and must be worn for the cycle route to Beauly.
 

You will also be issued with a Timing Chip on a Velcro ankle strap to be fitted after you have had your wristbands fitted. THIS MUST STAY ON YOUR ANKLE ALL THE WAY TO BEAULY!
YOUR BIKE - WITH YOUR EVENT NUMBER

YOU must provide TWO weatherproof labels. One must be attached to the saddle of your bicycle. The other must be fitted to your handle bars facing forward with the number in full view from the front. This label must have boldly printed or written numbers in black ink at least 30mm in height.

OUR CYCLE HELMET AND PERSONAL BAGS
Use YOUR own numbered weatherproof labels on separate items.
At the Bike Loading: Do not attach your belongings, cycle computers, or your helmet etc to your bike. Put clothes and cycle helmet that you want to have with your bike at Affric in a waterproof bag bearing your event number and hand it to the Bag Van at Bike Loading. Marshals will place your bag beside your bike at Affric.
 

At the Start: Put clothes or other belongings in a waterproof bag bearing your event number for immediate return to Beauly Pound by event transport.
 

Changeover at Affric: Put clothes and other belongings in a waterproof bag bearing your event number and hand it to a Bike Pound volunteer to go in the Bag Van for transfer to Beauly Pound.