The Cape Wrath Fellowship was begun in 1949 by Rex “Ragged Staff” Coley who thought cycling in the post-war era had grown a bit tame. He wanted to inject some adventure and fun back into cycling, which he felt had grown altogether too serious.
To do this, he set out a challenge. Ride to Cape Wrath – the most north westerly point of the Scottish mainland – get a photo in front of the lighthouse and a signature from its keeper, send it in and he would enter you into the illustrious Fellowship.
Sounds simple, but to get there you need to get a wee ferry from Keodale Pier that is at the mercy of the tides and wind across the Sound of Durness. Then ride a road that’s barely been touched since it was first built in 1826 to allow the traffic of materials to the light house.
It’s a pure wilderness, with only this lone track to take you to the lighthouse that stands 11 miles away.
To get the Cape Wrath certificate simply fill in the online form and upload your evidence.
Join the Cape Wrath Fellowship
Download the GPX file and read about Cycling UK's trip in 2019 via a bothy.
Download the GPX file of Michael Hutchinson's route
Cape Wrath Ordinance Survey Map
Cycling UK would be interested in hearing your story as we celebrate 70 years of the Cape Wrath Fellowship. If you have a story to tell please email publicity@cyclinguk.org
