Ultra Scotland 100.
The Ultra Scotland 100 near Saint John's Town of Dalry runs to 104 miles despite its name, and its almost 4,800 metres of climbing arrive without a single high summit: three times the course falls below 170 metres and starts over. Prepare for that repetition, for short steep ramps, and for quads that can still run downhill after 150 km.
Ultra Scotland 100 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The course runs point to point and draws a sawtooth in four sections. It begins at around 55 metres and is already above 500 metres after 21 km, with the first properly steep ramp from km 19: just over a kilometre at an average of 14 percent. By km 42 it has fallen back to about 140 metres. The second section reaches a little over 560 metres at km 59 and ends after a long descent at km 89, at around 100 metres.
The harder part starts there. By km 97 you are back at 560 metres, the last two kilometres and more of it at over 12 percent. The course then runs downhill for a long way, climbs again in a restless line and arrives low down one last time just before km 145. That is where the longest steep climb of the race begins: three and a half kilometres and over 350 metres of gain. The finish is 17 km further on, almost 400 metres lower.
The Ultra Scotland 100 is a small trail ultra for amateurs, held on the first Saturday in June. The altitude stays modest, with the crests mostly well under 600 metres, and yet only a seventh of the course is flat. The organiser's course map carries a high-level and a low-level route; the kilometre marks here follow the route its map link points to.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 18.8 | 1.3 km | 14.3 % | 20.8 % | +189 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 45.3 | 2.7 km | 7.3 % | 18.3 % | +198 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 56.5 | 1.8 km | 11 % | 19.6 % | +198 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 70.8 | 2.5 km | 9.4 % | 20.5 % | +229 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 95.5 | 2.3 km | 12.4 % | 32.5 % | +279 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 116.7 | 2.6 km | 7.9 % | 21.2 % | +209 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 134.8 | 2.3 km | 7.7 % | 17 % | +177 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 144.6 | 3.6 km | 10.1 % | 22.2 % | +358 m | Cat. 2 |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Ultra Scotland 100.
Start under control
No single climb is the problem here, the sum of them is. Most of the ascent is collected in short waves away from the big ramps, so a settled rhythm is hard to come by. Break the race into the four sections between the low points and walk every steep stretch from the start, even on fresh legs at km 19. Whatever you could save there means nothing over 104 miles.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided from km 145. The long climb arrives when most of the work is behind you, and it rewards a steady, strong hiking rhythm. If you can still run at the top, the mostly falling run-in is where you gain time on those reduced to walking it.
Spend what is left
The trap is downhill. Over 13 percent of the course drops steeply, and both the first descent to km 42 and the long fall after km 98 invite you to bank time. Let it roll there and your quads pay in the finale, where they still have to run. Keep those stretches under control.
Training plan for Ultra Scotland 100: 12-week build
Build the base
As an age-group athlete, expect something like 30 to 44 hours, which puts at least one night inside the race. The effort stays almost entirely aerobic but is constantly broken by short spikes on the ramps: more than a quarter of the course is steep, up or down. Your training has to reflect that alternation, not a steady pace.
Train race pace
The two key points sit in the second half of the race: the ascent to km 97, gaining over 450 metres, and the climb from km 145 on legs long since emptied. Prepare with back-to-back long days in hilly terrain, and put most of the climbing at the end of the second session. That teaches you to hike hard uphill once fatigue has set in.
Rehearse the course
Repetition is the main focus. Since the climbs mostly measure 200 to 350 metres of gain, hill repeats of that size are worth more than one long ascent. Include steep hiking, with poles if you plan to race with them. Add downhill running on tired legs too, because it toughens your quads for the steep descents and the way to the finish.
Arrive fresh
Also rehearse what only matters at this duration: running through the night by head torch, and eating solid food many hours into an effort. Get both routes from the course map so your preparation covers the low-level variant as well.
Courses
Download the Ultra Scotland 100 course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Ultra Scotland 100 dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Everything about Ultra Scotland 100.
How long is Ultra Scotland 100?
Ultra Scotland 100 is 167.37 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Ultra Scotland 100 have?
Ultra Scotland 100 has around 4,773 m of elevation gain over 167.37 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Ultra Scotland 100?
Ultra Scotland 100 is classified as Mountainous, averaging 28.9 vertical metres per kilometre. 15% of the route is flat, 29% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 13% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Ultra Scotland 100 have?
The hardest climb of Ultra Scotland 100 starts at kilometre 144.6, runs for 3.6 km at an average of 10.1% and gains 358 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Ultra Scotland 100 a loop course?
No, Ultra Scotland 100 is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Ultra Scotland 100 course?
Yes. The Ultra Scotland 100 course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Ultra Scotland 100?
Preparation for Ultra Scotland 100 should account for 167.37 km, 4,773 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Ultra Scotland 100?
The pacing strategy for Ultra Scotland 100 should reflect 167.37 km, 4,773 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Ultra Scotland 100 take place?
Ultra Scotland 100 takes place on June 5, 2027.
Where does Ultra Scotland 100 take place?
Ultra Scotland 100 takes place in Saint John's Town of Dalry, United Kingdom.
How do I register for Ultra Scotland 100?
Registration runs through the organiser: gbultras.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
