Heart of Granite
Newton Stewart, United Kingdom • 11 Apr 2026
Event details
Heart of Granite takes place on 11 April 2026 at Caldons Old Campsite, Bargrennan, Glen Trool, Newton Stewart, DG8 6SU. The event is organised by Galloway Mountain Rescue Team. Entries open 23 April 2025 and close 5 April 2026. The minimum age is 18 on the event date. The entry fee is £25. The event has a permit from the Scottish Hill Runners association and is run under SHR rules. Galloway Mountain Rescue Team will marshal the course, staff checkpoints and provide first aid cover. All profits from the race will go to Galloway Mountain Rescue Team.
Course and requirements
The route is a classic circular mountain course of 20 miles (about 32 km) with 1850 m total ascent. The course leaves Caldons campsite, goes up the valley to Lamachan, follows the ridge to Curleywee, drops to the Axe Head stone checkpoint on the Southern Upland Way, climbs Craiglee, crosses the plateau and descends along the Rig of Jarkness past the Murder Hole to the base of the Old Grey Man of Merrick, then climbs Merrick and descends to Bruce's Stone before returning along the valley to Caldons. Finishers are offered a bowl of vegetable soup and a Sulwath Brewery beer. Mandatory kit to carry or wear includes a map, compass, whistle, waterproof top with hood and taped seams, waterproof bottoms with taped seams, head torch, hat and gloves. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.