21/02/2026
2 years after completing training, a small section of us were tasked with undertaking the formidable “Achancarry Speed March” [with two weeks notice] for the annual anniversary.
For context…
Many years ago, those in the Army who wanted to become Commandos had to travel by train to a small station in Scotland called Spean Bridge. When the train stopped, the clock started. They had 60 minutes to reach Achnacarry House.
No warm-up.
No negotiation.
No excuses.
They had to cover 7 miles, wearing 36lbs (16kg) of kit plus a weapon — and in, of all things… drill boots.
Failure — even by one second over the 60-minute limit — meant being Returned to Unit (RTU).
Pass, and you were handed a Cap Comforter (the military green woolly hat) and began training to become a Commando — under methods that would be considered completely unethical today.
On the anniversary, I ran that historic route myself.
In “standard” boots — Adidas GSG9s to be exact. Which, for those who don’t know, are basically trainers compared to drill boots.
And even then…
It was horrific.
One of the hardest physical tests I have ever undertaken. Right up there with the modern-day Commando Tests.
To think those men did it in drill boots is astonishing.
If you’ve ever even marched in drill boots — or worse, tried to get them on — you’ll understand. Iron heel plate. Iron toe plate. Iron-studded leather sole.
Different breed of mankind back then.
www.noughtpointone.co.uk
