Bruce's Crown - Escape Routes

Please note the following Escape Routes off the Bruce's Crown race route and mark them on your maps.

When you decide that you need to bail off the route if at all possible ring MRT / Event Centre on the number we will give you before you drop too far into any of the valleys as you will lose mobile signal. MRT will be watching the trackers but the sooner they know you are descending, the sooner a vehicle can be deployed to pick you up. I understand that in the case of really bad weather you will need to be moving and phones are not great when they get wet so don't make it a priority to stop and ring MRT but do have it in mind. Obviously if you have an injured member who needs assistance then you need to make calling MRT the priority.

Leg 1 -  Bruces Crown Leg 1 Escape Routes.pdf

Initially you can go back along the route to Caldons. Then there will be MRT at the Loop of the Laggan who can help you down but if you miss them then the route is pretty obvious. Along the fence line there is a quad bike track that leads to a forest and through the forest. It turns into a small path to cross a stream above the bothy. If you need shelter the bothy is a good place to stop. When you get to the track if you're still walking and haven't been collected the quickest way to a checkpoint would be to turn right to arrive at Checkpoint 5. If you can walk back to the Start at Caldons then turn left.

If you continue further and need to escape the options are a) to return to the Loop of Laggan, b) drop off anywhere to the forest track to the East of the race route or c) follow the race route to Checkpoint 5.

Leg 2 - Bruces Crown Leg 2 Escape Routes.pdf

Initially you can return to Checkpoint 5. There will be MRT on Meikle Millyea amd Coran of Portmark who can help you retire from those locations. To escape off the route along the ridge I have found a route off Corserine which is pretty good and described below in detail as it will be dark when you're trying to find this. If you needed to drop after Meaul around Bow there is a lot of deforestation in the forest so don't rely on finding the forest rides that are marked on the OS maps just bash through the deforestation if you hit it.

Route 1 - from the Cicerone Guide and I haven't reccied it . I did see the ATV track (which I talk about below) continues to join the massive track marked on his map and OS Maps.

Route 2 - The key thing is to find is the ruin / sheepfold which is marked on the OS map. This ruin is about 100m from the start of a good forest ride which takes you to the forest road.  In the photo on left you can see an old, but good, ATV track which you aim for coming off the ridge, the faint wall of the ruin you need and the far corner of the deforested section, where the forest ride starts. This thumbnail is the full res photo in case you want a closer look.

Off the ridge initially the descent is steep and not great underfoot, with rocky sections below Carlin's Cairn, but it does get you off the ridge quickly and there aren't any hidden dangers. As you descend you might find an old track / path (photo on right) which runs parallel to the stream on the east. It's a bit easier to follow than open moor or the stream bed. Try not to cross the stream too early as you can see (photo on left) that the ATV track heads away from the stream higher up and you'll end up in deforested rubbish. If you can't see anything at all then I would stick near the stream and follow it as a) the track does come right down to the stream in that triangle bit. And b) wherever you hit the stream, if you follow it down, it does head west and goes in between the ruin and the forest.

If you can find the ATV track on the west of the stream it's pretty good and weaves it way down to stop at the ruin. Head down the ruin wall to the stream (see two photos below), cross the stream and turn left where there is a faint path leading to the forest ride in the corner of the wood.

Follow the ride, there is a path down the middle of the ride, it's pretty wet in places and there has been logs etc put over the wetter bits. The forest ride finishes at a stream and the deforested forest. Turn left to reach a massive forest road. Turn left on the road (it's a well maintained road and quicker than going right) and follow that down to the head of Loch Doon where you turn left to go to Checkpoint 11 

Leg 3 - Bruces Crown Leg 3 Escape Routes.pdf

Initially ie if you're still on Shiel Hill you can head back to Checkpoint 12. After Shiel Hill until you reach Shallock on the Minnock you can drop off down a few places onto a big track which leads from CP12 to Tunsteen Bothy. The red route on the map goes through an existing forest ride to join this track. MRT would, if notified, be able to deploy a vehicle to meet you on this track.

Further on around Tarfessock the best way off is down the ridge of Tarfessock to meet a good forest road. This path follows the ridgeline to the end where it gets a bigger path as it drops down the steeper section. The fence is not complete but the path is very good by this stage. Again, if notified MRT would be able to drive upto this track head and collect you. Otherwise walk down the track to Kirriereoch Farm and onto the Straiton road.

Off Kierrieroch CP17 it is also possible to head down that ridge and end up at Cross Burn (where it enters the forest) and the down to the forest road that way but it's a lot rougher going through the forest to the track.