Storytellers recreate epic 1936 cycling adventure
A chance conversation in an Islay hostel has inspired an epic 500-mile cycle through Lochaber and Skye, recreating an adventure by three women 85 years ago, writes Sandy Neil.
The trip taken in 1936 is being recreated by the Adventure Syndicate, a trio of female adventurers and storytellers who promote mental and physical wellbeing through their outdoor endeavours. Lee Craigie, Alice Lemkes, and Phillipa Battye set out from Glasgow Youth Hostel on Thursday October 14, and finished on October 18 in Aviemore, staying overnight at Crianlarich, Glencoe, Ratagan, Portree, Torridon, Gairloch and Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostels.
The route chosen by the Adventure Syndicate is a close representation of the original two-week, two-wheeled journey undertaken by 17-yearold hosteller Mary Harvie, from Shotts in Lanarkshire, with her two older sisters, Ella and Jean, in 1936.
This epic journey, that began in Glasgow and saw the women explore the North West Highlands, Skye, Highland Perthshire, and Stirlingshire, was documented in Mary’s diary.
The diary extracts, which capture the true spirit of hostelling, are a poignant and insightful account of this great adventure, both on and off the bike, featuring some of Scotland’s most iconic sites, stunning countryside, environment and natural heritage.
The Hostelling Scotland-led cycling project to recreate Mary’s cycling trip in 2021 was born from a chance conversation between Mary’s son, Harvie Paterson, and Karl and Lorna, who manage Hostelling Scotland’s Port Charlotte Youth Hostel on the Isle of Islay.
Like his mother, Harvie has been a hosteller for many years. He has made regular trips to Islay on his bike over the last 12 years. In 2020 he told Lorna that as a Covid-19 lockdown project he had transcribed the diaries of his mother’s cycling tour of Scottish Youth Hostels in 1936. He has also provided the Northern Irish Hostelling Association with diary extracts from a trip his mother made to Ireland which now has pride of place in its archives.
With the kind permission of Harvie, Hostelling Scotland published the diary entries of his mother’s trip in its 90th anniversary issue of its annual Members’ Handbook. Harvie, who is in his 70s, was delighted to see his mother’s story being brought to life in print.
However, the management team at Hostelling Scotland always felt that there was more that could be done to bring this fantastic story to life, not only to celebrate Hostelling Scotland’s 90th anniversary in 2021, but also in recognition of VisitScotland’s Year of Stories in 2022.
Lee Craigie, Alice Lemkes, and Phil Battye will write a daily journal, post regularly on social media channels and take photos on mobile phones. A video of their adventure will be launched in early 2022.
The social media posts and video, their 21st century take on an adventure diary, will kick off Hostelling Scotland’s celebration of VisitScotland’s Year of Stories.
Lee Craigie, founder of the Adventure Syndicate, said at the start of the journey: ‘We’re so excited to take the inspiration for our next challenge from a journey between Hostelling Scotland’s Youth Hostels, first made in the 1930s, and add our own modern day twist!
‘Bike technology has evolved since the 1930s but the mentality of exploration and adventure has always been present. People have been using bikes to explore remote places for generations so now, with the increased traffic on our roads since this journal was first written, we’re keen to explore the off-road alternatives where possible.
‘Our ambitious route around Scotland will take us to lots of remote places that cars can’t access. It might mean slower going and wetter feet but that will just make arriving in the evenings at our warm, dry accommodation all the more welcome.’
Hostelling Scotland is a self-funding charity operating a network of nearly 60 exceptional youth and affiliate hostels for the benefit of all those wishing to learn and experience what Scotland has to offer.