Blog

The Great Outdoors Challenge (TGO) is an esteemed annual long-distance walking event in the UK, which takes place every May. The event covers around 200 miles (320 kilometres) through the stunning Scottish Highlands, offering participants - known as 'Challengers' - a remarkable journey from the west coast to the east coast of Scotland. The TGO is not a race but an opportunity for outd …

For this year's TGO challenge, a demanding two-week coast-to-coast journey across Scotland, I sought to reduce the weight of my pack without sacrificing the headroom, living space, and large vestibules I have come to enjoy with my trusty Hilleberg Anaris. Having traversed the country with the Anaris on four previous occasions, I decided to try a different trekking pole tent, Goss …

As I traverse the rugged and breathtaking landscape of Scotland on the TGO Challenge, the importance of reliable and lightweight gear becomes increasingly evident. After a long day of trekking through moors and over mountains, my MSR Titan Kettle 900ml, MSR Titanium Double Wall Mug, and MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe stove have proven to be indispensable cookware companions. The updated&nbs …

Hiking the TGO (The Great Outdoors Challenge) requires dependable equipment that can endure the rigors of long-distance trekking. During my journey, two standout pieces of gear were the Suunto Vertical watch and the Sunslice Fusion Flex 12 solar panel. Here’s my on-trail review of how these devices performed and why they are indispensable for any serious hiker. From the first day on the tr …

May means one thing in the Ultralight office: The Great Outdoors Challenge, or the TGO, for short. We are incredibly proud to sponsor this communal coast-to-coast crossing of Scotland. This year, Lois, Danny, and I are taking part in this years crossing. Lois is embarking on her first, and Danny and I are attempting our third TGO challenge.The TGO Challenge is a unique coast-to-coast trek across S …

Intro The Great Outdoor Challenge (TGO challenge) is an annual communal coast-to-coast crossing of Scotland; each year, 400 “challengers” set off from one of 14 different start points located on the west coast of Scotland, aiming for the east coast. Some will head to the hills and attempt to bag as many Munros as possible, shunning small towns and villages and choosing to stay in t …

What is the TGO Challenge? The Great Outdoor Challenge (TGO) has been attracting people wanting to explore the best of Scotland since 1980, after the idea for a non-competitive event was pitched to The Great Outdoors magazine by Hamish Brown. Hamish, having crossed Scotland coast to coast himself, believed this could be accomplished and enjoyed by others. Whilst the TGO has changed thro …

Famously my journeys up to Scotland are always disastrous. Last time it was my ferry to Aaron cancelling, resulting in a bus trip around the entire Kintyre peninsula to catch a different one. So, I wasn’t shocked when sitting in Middlesbrough train station awaiting my 6.30 am train to Glasgow, I received an email informing me, that my 12.30 train from Glasgow to Mallaig, had been cancel …

Day 1 Inverie to Kinlock Hourn: 15 miles The Great Outdoor Challenge, or the TGO, as everyone affectionately abbreviates it, is, for the uninitiated, as I was less than six months ago, a coast-to-coast crossing of Scotland like no other. It has no set route and no fixed start or end point. All 400 challengers start within a set time frame, in this year's case over 5 days, so you a …