About us

handson

is the trading name of Highland Events Ltd with registered offices at 2 Ardival East, Strathpeffer, IV14 9DY

It all started with a daft idea which grew into the Strathpuffer24 mountain bike race. A group of slouchers who hung around Square Wheels in Strathpeffer were roped into forming Strathpuffer Ltd.  Much to our amazement, the event was a hit.  Still reeling from this shock, we were asked to organise another event, this time on the road.

With the confidence only naivety can bring, we set about the task and were again astonished that a whole crowd of people turned up to ride the Bealach-na-Ba Challenge.  An appetite had been whetted that could only be satisfied with yet more events. It was all getting a bit too much for Steve and Clancy who wisely decided to concentrate on running the shop and the Strathpuffer.

In the meantime, a plot was hatched to run a mountain marathon in the style of the LAAM and OMM.  So The Highlander Mountain Marathon was launched in 2007 and was another success in glorious weather. 

It became clear that a new company was needed to run these events so we formed Highland Events Ltd. However, we remain fully involved with Strathpuffer24.

Who is....

Al 
Alasdair Lawton

I have done lots of events over the past 20 years, Mountain Marathons, Fell races, Mountain Bike events in fact anything that doesn’t involve water!! I am a firm believer in the adage that it is the taking part which counts, probably because there is fat chance of me winning anything. Having moved to Scotland in 2004 I soon became involved in organising the first Strathpuffer – it was the best idea I could think of to avoid being tempted to enter such a ridiculous event. I am also a member of Torridon Mountain Rescue Team.
Linda 
Linda Lawton

Having peaked at the tender age of 12 in competitive sporting events, I then ‘rested’ for a few years before taking up orienteering in my mid teens. As I headed into my twenties, another period of rest occurred before deciding that I really did enjoy the sport and have since taken part in a number of 2 day mountain marathons – although I am still waiting to hit my high!  Since moving to the beautiful  Highlands we now live in, I have become a keen mountain biker and road cyclist – albeit for my own enjoyment – I can only admire the passion and commitment of the competitors in our events.  One day…..
Katy 
Katy Boocock
 AKA 'The Queen of Extreme', I have been addicted to outdoor adventures from an early age; tackling the steps in my parents garden on my tricycle age 3. Since then I have gradually extended my boundaries and cycled, skied, climbed, kayaked and run throughout Britain and Europe. I am always happy to be planning another adventure and "persuading" friends to join me. 'Boocock Boot Camps' are now legendary! I try to bring  the same mix of blood, sweat and cake to handsonevents!
Peter 
Peter Ferguson
 AKA 'The Prince of Pies'. Too light to reach the top at rugby, I then found I was too fat to be a great runner. Still, the marathon boom swept me along for a few years.  Got into cycling in the early days of the Highland Cross and since then I have developed a  love of biking both on and off the road. Now it is just age that deprives me of the greatness I deserve. Since meeting Katy, my adventures have become more extreme, my aches and pains less tolerable and my appetite for titanium and carbon insatiable.
Henry 
Henry Blake

(Age 123/4)

A keen hill runner and biker, I completed a Land's End - John O'Groats cycle in 2006. I also play in a local ceilidh band and follow Ross County Football Club. Working for a local community charity in the Highlands of Scotland, I'm delighted to promote the North of Scotland and all it has to offer. "If you're hungry or sober its your own fault".