Ultra-Marathon Champion Dies During Cape Wrath Trail Attempt
David Parrish, an ultra-marathon champion from Dumfries, died while running in the Scottish Highlands. He was in the final stages of planning his wedding, according to his fiancée.
Parrish, 35, a former Royal Marine, was attempting to set a new record for the fastest completion of the Cape Wrath trail, a 234-mile (376 km) route from Fort William to Cape Wrath.
He was found deceased on Saturday night in the remote mountainous area of Kintail in the north-west Highlands. The cause of death has not yet been determined.
Fiancée Shares Impact of Loss
Jade Lau, Parrish's partner of seven years, told BBC Scotland News that their wedding was scheduled for two weeks after his death.
"We were putting together playlists, writing speeches,"
"So on receiving the news, I felt that what I knew about the next couple of days, coming months, coming years, is quite scattered now.
"I'm trying to focus on the fact the world keeps moving, and I'll try to as well."
Jade, a design manager, described David as "full of life, funny and loving," and said he was "buzzing" in the weeks leading up to the run.
The couple had previously hiked the Cape Wrath trail in 2021. David, an experienced ultra-marathon runner, won the Cape Wrath Trail race in 2023.
About the Cape Wrath Trail
The Cape Wrath trail covers areas including Lochaber, Knoydart, Applecross, and Torridon, and is regarded as one of the most challenging routes in the UK.
Fundraising Effort in Memory of a Friend
Parrish's latest challenge was a fundraising run for Scottish Mountain Rescue in memory of his close friend, Luke Ireland. Ireland, also a Royal Marine from Monifeith, died while running in the mountains of Glen Clova in Angus in November 2014.
Jade expressed immense pride in David, emphasizing that running was a shared passion that brought them together.
"I was always cautious of some of the big challenges he took on,"
"But always very proud and confident of his abilities as well.
"He's done big challenges running through the night previously and done exceptionally well. I hope he will be remembered for being a complete force of nature in spirit and ability."
The fundraising effort has raised over £30,000.
"He'd be really chuffed," said Jade.
"Also with just the quantity of people - the number of people we both know and many we don't know, and many who have donated anonymously as well.
"I'd like to say a massive thank you to those people, it really means a lot."
Search and Police Response
Jade last heard from David as he entered Knoydart Forest, where he indicated he would likely lose mobile signal for a period.
Friends and Jade were tracking him via GPS, but after a prolonged silence, they alerted the police.
A friend was in the area awaiting his passage, and Jade drove to the location herself.
"On the drive up, I received a call from the police saying that the case was going to be escalated to David being a high-risk missing person,"
"Shortly after that I got a call to attend the police station in Kyle of Lochalsh where they delivered the news.
"Then the next morning his friend and I went to the mountain rescue base in Kintail where we identified him."
Community and Club Reactions
A spokesperson for David's running club expressed their shock and sadness at his passing.
"David was an immensely talented runner and a wonderful person who will be sadly missed by all who knew him,"
Jade acknowledged the vital support from friends and family, which helped her cope with the news.
She also thanked the emergency services and mountain rescue teams who located and recovered David.
Life Together and Memories
The couple, who lived in Glasgow, frequently traveled to the Highlands for hikes and runs with their dog, Munro.
David proposed to Jade during a hiking trip in the Glen Coe area.
Reflecting on the trail, Jade said:
"I do wonder how I'll view the Cape Wrath trail now,"
"I have such fond memories with him on that trail and beautiful photos together on it. I guess in some way I feel like it took him.
"But maybe in time I'll be able to go there with our dog Munro and run part of it.
"And maybe in some way I'll feel like he'll be there with us. That's my hope."
