We catch up with Ross Brannigan, Author of Running Adventures Scotland. Ross is a passionate hill runner and environmentalist. His new book contains inspirational running routes throughout Scotland. We talk sustainability, running habits and what Ross would love to see from the running industry in the future.
How did the concept of your new book Running Adventures Scotland come about and how did you find writing it?
Running Adventures Scotland is the runner’s guide to unlocking the Scottish landscape. There are many books on how to walk the Munros, but as a runner it can be difficult to find a route that is designed with a runner in mind. Vertebrate Publishing approached me with the idea of a book that would bridge the gap between a mountain walking book and a trail running guide. Given my experience exploring Scotland for around 20 years and as someone with a passion for the country, its landscape, its nature and its culture, I could hardly say no!
The book was a joy to research and write. That’s not to say, however, there weren’t challenges. Foremost among them was Covid-19, which made travel difficult and researching remote areas challenging. Another challenge was just how could I condense Scotland’s amazing wild places into 20-30 routes? I gave myself some parameters, though, such as making sure the routes tied back to the Scottish hill running community (are they popular routes? Do they feature a race or a challenge? Are they part of Scottish hill running history?) After that, it was a case of blocking them into regions and testing them out to see if they were enjoyable to run! Some turned out to be pathless, boggy nightmares, while others surprised me. We spent much of our free time in our van, scouting out locations for running and the all important cafe stops!
Are you a lifelong runner or did you come to it later in life?
Running has always been a presence in my life. Since I was very young, I have been running cross-country or running for fitness. In my mid-teens, I did develop an unhealthy relationship with running which meant I took a break for a few years and focused on other sports. When I was around 10 I did my first Munros and have always loved the hills. And so, in 2018, I turned my attention back to running and combining it with my love of the hills to get stuck into hill running and longer adventures.
Where is your favourite place to run and why?
I confess to being quite a home bird, and so Scotland will always pull me back as my favourite place to run – and rightly so! It has such incredible variety, and I think I have kind of made it my life’s mission to explore every nook and cranny of the place I love so dearly.
Have you taken part in many organised races and if so, do you have a large collection of t-shirts?!
Fortunately, as a hill runner, the most you will get from a race is a satsuma, maybe the occasional trophy or medal. Over the years, I have collected one race t-shirt: Ben Nevis 2019. It was my first time doing the race, but since then I have refused t-shirts. I thoroughly dislike having stuff that I don’t use, and am very much an advocate for protecting our natural world, so I do not want to add to the scale of production out there.
What do you think about Trees not Tees and what we’re doing?
When I first heard of Trees not Tees a year or so ago, I was thrilled. For those of us who enjoy mountain-based sports, the idea of freebies at races can seem a little strange, but go to mass participation events and you can be shocked at the amount of stuff that is produced. We are in a climate and biodiversity crisis, where we are seeing an increasingly fragile ecosystem and increasing consumption. Personally, I think the concept is so simple, yet so effective in providing habitats for animals and locking up carbon. Trees not Tees is also doing the important work to consider where and how they plant their trees, whereas a number of ‘offsetting’-style companies have been found to be planting the wrong trees in the wrong places.
I think the concept is so simple, yet so effective in providing habitats for animals and locking up carbon.
– Ross Brannigan
Have you taken any steps towards making your own running and cycling more sustainable?
More and more, I am finding ways to make my adventures fit in with public transport. I made a commitment in 2022 to get myself a Railcard and use the train much more for getting around. Over the past few years, I have reduced my reliance on the car as much as I can, cycling where I would maybe have driven before. I do really love the combination of cycling to start a run, though that is made a little trickier with a dog. The next thing is getting a cart for him!
I also buy a lot less than I used to, trying to make my gear last a bit. I am as guilty as anyone in enjoying new gear, but I am certainly taking a step back to see if I just want this new thing rather than need. I find it refreshing to read about people who set off on adventures who are maybe less experienced, because they usually make do with what is available.
We have become very spoiled for choice and are often persuaded into buying things we don’t need.
– Ross Brannigan
What changes would you like to see the sports events industry making towards sustainability?
Personally, I would like to see a commitment from sport events to do away completely with t-shirts especially.
What does being in the outdoors mean to you?
The outdoors is a space for me to explore myself and the world. It’s also just home for me. I grew up wandering in the hills and scurrying around woodlands, so in a way it’s something totally normal for me, and a chance to be myself.
For more visit Ross Brannigan at his website.
