ADVENTURE THE SCOTTISH ISLANDS PEAKS RACE

A demanding adventure that sees teams sail the west coast of Scotland stopping so crew runners race up the peaks of Mull, Jura and Arran. Charles Warlow and family take on the challenge

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The clue is in the name.

The Scottish Islands Peaks Race is from Oban to Troon via three islands - Mull, Jura and Arran, 160 nautical miles. And the peaks? Ben More on Mull, the three Paps of Jura, and Goatfell on Arran - 60 miles of running, 11,500ft (3,500m) of climbing.

The first race was in 1984. My own first was in 1990 on a Contessa 32, a good boat for the race because it is reasonably fast, seaworthy, not too uncomfortable for the runners, and it can be rowed. Rowed? Yes, rowing is allowed when the wind drops. Using the engine is forbidden when the runners are on board.

I had thought my last race had been in 2011 but in 2024, my son Oli, who had been in our team years ago as crew, wanted to skipper our family boat, Pickle, a Rustler 36, in Class 3 and suggested I provide advice and fatherly reassurance.

The race briefing was in bright sunshine outside Oban Sailing Club on Friday 17 May. Ominously there was no wind, and nor was much forecast. Not good in a heavy displacement Rustler 36. The runners could be recognized by their long legs starting in their armpits, the sailors rather more portly - and older. Friends from previous races greeted each other. One told me his son was skippering like mine and had forbidden him to row. I was let off winching.

AND THEY'RE OFF...

The off was at midday - the runners ran briskly round Oban for about half an hour to spread out the 36 teams. While Oli and I stooged around in Pickle off the sailing club, along with all the other boats, having left Oli's wife Katherine in the dinghy ready to pick up our runners from the shore - Alex and Ruairdh. Neither had really sailed before, so they were in for some surprises (and delights).