Day Eight – Kinlochbervie To Cape Wrath: The Final Push To the Lighthouse
The Cape Wrath Lighthouse. Stark, windswept, and spectacular - it marks the end of mainland Scotland and the finish line of this extraordinary journey. For eight days, participants in the 2025 Cape Wrath Ultra® have pushed through some of the UK’s most remote and rugged landscapes, with this iconic beacon in their sights.
Yesterday, they finally stood beneath it. But the final stage wasn’t gifted easily. Wild weather rolled across the north-west, with wind warnings in place and gusts lashing the cliffs, making the last leg as dramatic as it was emotional. After over 400km of relentless Scottish terrain, grit and determination, this was the moment they’d been dreaming of - and earning - since the start line at Fort William.
Windswept shores of Sandwood Bay | ©No Limits Photography
Friendships forged on the trails | ©No Limits Photography
With the forecast forcing a change of plans, the final night’s camp remained at Camp 7 in Kinlochbervie for a second evening, as high winds made it unsafe to construct Camp 8 at Keoldale. That didn’t dampen the celebrations, as our Cape Wrath finishers and Event Team enjoyed the prize ceremony, food and company - an evening shared among those who had faced the same mountains, bogs, river crossings and midges together. Laughter echoed through the marquee, the bar was in full swing and the sense of accomplishment was palpable. There was a special kind of magic in the air - the kind that only grows from shared hardship and the quiet, unspoken bond of a journey completed together.
The beacon that is the Cape Wrath lighthouse | ©No Limits Photography
The competition was close on our male podium | ©No Limits Photography
Marcus Scotney and Sarah Ingram are our 2025 cape Wrath Ultra winners
Reaching the lighthouse in a blistering time of 42 hours 55 minutes, Marcus Scotney became our 2025 Cape Wrath Ultra winner. It was an emotional finish for OMM athlete and Running Coach Scotney, as he crossed the finish line in first place for the second time following his 2016 course record, which still stands today. The 50 year old, who led the race from Day One all the way back in Fort William, ran the race to celebrate reaching half a century.
It was an emotional finish for Marcus | ©No Limits Photography
Sarah Ingram had a fantastic race, reaching the Cape Wrath lighthouse with the same smile on her face she’d worn throughout the 400km adventure, in first place. Sarah completed the course under 60 hours (in 59 hours 28 minutes), remaining composed and consistent throughout, embracing the changing weather conditions. The doctor from Sheffield, has worked as part of event medical service Shelter Stone, alongside Ourea’s Event Medical Director, Natalya Kennedy, who described Sarah as an “all round superhuman”.
‘Superhuman’ Sarah Ingram at the Cape Wrath lighthouse | ©No Limits Photography
Our 2025 female podium was completed with Portuguese Margarida Bagão taking second place, who had a very strong finish to her Cape Wrath Ultra journey, and Emma McCahill in third. Emma was a force to be reckoned with throughout the event, consistently running for a top spot all the way from Fort William.
SCARPA and Montane athlete, Jon Shields kept his cool in the heat against Marcus and had an incredible race, holding second place for the duration despite some feet issues. Lewis Taylor, who led the race in 2024, came back with an unyielding performance securing himself third place.
Cape Wrath Ultra Results Day Eight
Times listed are the accumulated times across all days.
1. Marcus Scotney | Scotland | 42:55:05
2. Jon Shield | England | 45:05:27
3. Lewis Taylor | UK | 45:21:03
1. Sarah Ingram | UK | 59:28:34
2. Margarida Bagão | UK | 61:23:11
3. Emma McCahill | UK | 62:57:15
POV: you just reached the finish line of a 400km race | ©No Limits Photography
Be the dot to follow in 2026!
Has all the excitement inspired you for your own Cape Wrath Ultra journey?
Sign up for the 2026 Cape Wrath Ultra - entries open Friday 30th May at 10am - or the shorter Cape Wrath Explorer or Cape Wrath 100 and join us for 8 unforgettable days in the Scottish Highlands.
Sign up before the end of June 2025 to pay a reduced deposit of £99!
