Scottish hill running legend Charlie Ramsay has died, at the age of 81. The originator - and first to complete - the Ramsay Round, he had been active in hill running since the 1970s, and was known not only for his own achievements but for the advice and encouragement he offered to countless other runners.
© Dave MacLeod
First done by Charlie Ramsay in 1978, the Ramsay Round is the great Scottish hill round, and one of the UK's Big Three along with the Bob Graham and Paddy Buckley rounds.
A circuit of 58 miles, over 24 summits and with a total ascent of over 8600m, the route covers the most remote and technically challenging ground of the Big Three, including Ben Nevis and 22 other Munros in the Mamores, Fersit Hills, Grey Corries and Lochaber 4000ers.
While the principal aim for most contenders is to complete it within 24 hours, Charlie was quite clear that it does not necessarily have to be done this way, explaining that "many have chosen to do the round in stages over multiple days or by climbing all of the tops on the round on different visits, without clock-watching and to enjoy the stunning views of Lochaber."
In subsequent years Charlie Ramsay ran for Edinburgh's Carnethy Hill Running Club, and was running races for the club well into his 60s.
"Many Carnethy members and even more from the wider hill/fell running community have received advice and encouragement from Charlie before their own attempt at the Ramsay Round" wrote Andy Spenceley of the club.
"He'd helped at many rounds and always followed and kept a close eye on people's attempts, often popping up in surprising places. Very few people would do the round without having had a word with Charlie and getting some insights from him in his affable but straight-talking style – he wasn't one who wasted words – he liked to tell it how it was! Many will have their own "Charlie Ramsay" stories – like running the Tranter Round with Charlie in torrential rain causing us to bail out after the Mamores with streams in spate and uncrossable. We then had a hairy time trying to get back to Glen Nevis, with Charlie being his usual calm unruffled self throughout.
"Even after he stopped running, Charlie loved being in the Pentlands and until very recently you could meet him walking up from Swanston and he would always stop for a friendly chat. He was a mountain man, a legend and will be very sadly missed."
Charlie Ramsay's funeral will be held at Mortonhall Crematorium on Thursday 6th March.
Comments
Just to say that what Charlie started has played a huge part in my life and getting to know him through correspondence, meetings and further round support since my round 15 years ago has made things so much better. He was charming, friendly, supportive, interested, passionate about both round and hills in general and, well, really just everything you'd hope him to be! A huge loss...