Tarfside

Tarfside in Glen Esk has been a special Challenge place for many decades. Originally a local resident, Mrs Guthrie, offered camping on her lawn and refreshments to weary Challengers looking for a place to stay. When she sadly died St Drostan’s Church Hostel was hired by the Coordinators and Challenge volunteers have run it during the second week ever since. Currently Ann & Alvar Thorn, who are also vetters, make the magic happen, ably assisted in recent years by Gus & Rita McKinnon.

St Drostan’s Hostel (NO 491 798)

Tarfside is a very special experience and if this is your first crossing it is well worth including in your route. it is though important that numbers visiting do not escalate, or it risks becoming unsustainable. So please don’t go there on every crossing. If you visited on your last crossing, we ask that you look for an alternative route to the coast on your next crossing.

The details for TGOC25 are:

  • Will operates from late afternoon Friday 16th to mid morning Thursday 22nd May.
  • Light refreshments – teas, coffees, cakes, scones etc. during the day from 9am to 9pm.
  • No main meals or alcohol will be available.
  • It is NOT possible to send re-supply parcels so you need to carry your own evening meal and breakfast with you.
  • Hostel beds cannot be prebooked but are available on a first come, first served basis at £35 per bed. If you want a bed on Monday or Tuesday we suggest you get there early.
  • Payments from hostel beds are collected by volunteers on behalf of the Church. profits from food sales are donated to charities chosen by the volunteers.
  • Please direct any queries to Coordinators (or during the Event to Challenge Control) and not directly to the church/hostel

Camping at Tarfside

Tarfside playing field – Ian Cotterill

The local estate allows Challengers to camp on the village playing field, which also has a toilet.

On busy Challenge days it becomes quite an exhibition of lightweight tents! The gear enthusiasts can probably date this photo by the predominance of Laser Competitions!

Phone-ins from Tarfside

There is no reliable mobile coverage in Glen Esk and the village phone box which only functions intermittently. We therefore operate a list system at St Drostan’s Hostel. The list:

  • is held in St Drostan’s hostel and monitored by the volunteers.
  • can only be accessed 9am-9pm whilst the volunteers are present.
  • is passed onto Control by the volunteers at 8pm every evening via a landline.

PLEASE DO NOT NOMINATE TARFSIDE AS A PHONE IN POINT IF YOU WILL NOT BE THERE DURING ST DROSTAN OPENNING HOURS.