About Mark
Mark first hit the news in an 18,000-mile round-the-world bike race, where he smashed the previous World Record by a staggering 82 days. He followed this with a 13,000-mile ride down the length of the Rockies and Andes, getting off to climb the highest mountains in Alaska and Argentina. He has also ocean rowed through the high Arctic and survived after capsizing while rowing the Atlantic.
markbeaumontonline.com
Walk this way
The recently completed Loch Leven Heritage Trail is a spectacular and very easy walk. Almost completely flat and running through an RSPB reserve, you can also cycle it. But watch out for the dogs if you do, as it’s a very popular dog walking venue! It’s 13 miles all the way round and loops Loch Leven. There are many possible start and finish points but my favourite is the Loch Leven Larder farm shop and café in Kinross (lochlevenlarder.com) where you can reward yourself with a well-earned coffee and cake – especially if you’ve looped the Loch.
lochlevenheritagetrail.co.uk
Head for the hills
My favourite hilly hike is the Ben Lawyers ridge on the north shore of Loch Tay. You can complete it from either east or west and take in six Munros. It is also part of the famous Great Kindrochit Quadrathlon, an annual event where competitors swim across the Loch (just under a mile), run or walk the ridge, kayak halfway back down the Loch and then cycle around it. A gentle walk of this route takes about five hours. Afterwards treat your no-doubt sore feet with a paddle in the loch and then head to the Courtyard in Kenmore for a burger. taymouth.co.uk
On your bike
The best road round here, in my opinion, is the Amulree Pass, which is a tiny C road that starts from the hamlet of Amulree, then runs up Glen Quaich for six miles before a three-mile very steep climb, including some switchbacks and cattle grids. This is a tough climb but it is rewarded with an exhilarating switchback descent from the heather hills and down through the forests. Including this pass in a loop to Aberfeldy and back makes for a challenging but fantastic 30-mile ride. The town of Aberfeldy is the only place for food and drink on this ride.
visitaberfeldy.co.uk
