So – you fancy a walk then?

For reasons stated below, spaces are limited on the ‘Official’ HM Team but there’s nothing stopping anyone from setting up their own march. The ‘Official’ team is made up of previous marchers and they have first refusal for the next year(s). There is (currently) no selection process and potential new entrants are chosen on a purely first come first served policy.

The reason for the limited spaces is quite simple; we only ever take one support vehicle which is usually a 16 seater mini-bus supplied by Thrifty in Inverness. Although the bus has all these seats we have set a limit of only TEN marchers. You must understand that the bus also has to carry all the rucksacks and the grocery provisions – if we filled the bus with walkers there would be no room for anything else. Taking part in the march is a massive undertaking and I will attempt, here, to give you a few ‘home truths’ and a no-holds-barred insight into what you have to do. Once you’ve read through it, just ask yourself if this lifestyle is for you.

Checking the route at Bankfoot

First of all, take another long look at the mileages involved for the previous HMs. You will see that there really is no respite on any of the days. It is one long walk up (or down) the road. Just imagine for a minute, picking up a blister on the first day and then having to endure the pain on the days that follow. Just ask Interthenet and Gringo Jnr (and others) what that is really like. Oh yes, there are things like Compeed and Plasters etc but you’re supposed to stop walking to allow the skin to heal. This isn’t possible if you want to finish the walk. Prevention is the only real answer.

The daily HM routine goes something like this:-
Up at 5.30 a.m, breakfast (taking it in turns to make it!), tidy up the accommodation, load up the bus with the bags, start walking by 7.30 – 8 a.m. There’ll, maybe, be a wee break for lunch – usually a sarnie at the roadside (sarnies being made up ‘in house’ the night before) – but not always!! The day’s march is usually finished no later than 4 p.m. then its off to the Bunkhouse / Hostel, shower, relax for ‘five’, prepare and cook dinner for all, wash and tidy up, then out for a few beers and a game of pool where possible. Bed by 10 p.m ish! There’s also the shopping to do which can’t always be left to the support vehicle driver. We are, after all, shopping to feed ten people here. Everyone has to do their bit and be able to work as a team – make no mistake doing the HM is most definitely NOT a holiday, fun yes – loads of it – but no holiday.

Also, ask yourself at this very moment in time, if you could possibly walk all those miles day in day out. Chances are you will say no. Please don’t kid yourself that this is a walk in the park, it most definitely isn’t and should never be treated as such. You will need to be as physically and aerobically fit as possible. You will also be expected to take your turn in the general chores of the domestic nature and be a team player. Still fancy it?