Scottish Islands Peaks Race
Published 21:02 on 28 May 2026
Douglas Peniston has just completed the Scottish Islands Peaks Race in his 34ft 1974 wooden classic, Polar Bear (PB), with fellow ESC members Mark Allerston and Tom Bowman, who have sailed together (or against each other) since the 1970s. The race involves over 200 miles of sailing and three major mountain runs for their two runners, Sam Cathro and Ben Bielski, a pair of New Zealand exiles, fortunately considerably younger and fitter than the sailors.
Their race started in Oban and ended almost 60 hours later in Troon. PB sailed some 216nm, dropping the runners at three anchorages to run up Ben More (on Mull), the Paps of Jura and Goatfell (on Arran), running about 60 miles and climbing almost 15,000 feet in total. They coped with snow falling at two of the summits, an encounter with a stag blocking their path and then recuperating on a bouncing yacht - a matter of "eat, sleep, repeat".
The sailing crew had challenges too - a windy sail around the Mull of Kintyre (the local equivalent of Portland Bill), navigating tidal gates and finally a frustrating light wind sail to the finish in Troon, all with about 6 hours sleep in 60 hours.
Based on total running and sailing time, Polar Bear finished 6/16 in her class and 23/45 overall. The runners were the real stars, finishing 19th overall for the running legs.
Another Club member, Bob Stones, also took part, as co-skipper for a team of youth runners who came 2nd in their youth class.
Douglas said "it was a unique experience and an epic race. I was fortunate to have an experienced, determined and patient sailing crew and to be in sailing a great boat - Polar Bear looked after the team very well, while the Scottish waters delivered at least 5 seasons every day. However the real credit goes to Sam and Ben, the runners, who never stopped giving 100%, and never stopped smiling. We are all proud to have finished the race with the ESC burgee flying all the way. I am already wondering what the team are doing next May..?"