Dark Skies: 12 Hours to Remember
Sunday 22 February 2026
A challenging and demanding Dark Skies event brought together students from Years 9–13 in wet and difficult conditions.
Engagement levels were high, as was the continuous support along the course to make it a memorable and large-scale undertaking.
The recent Dark Skies inter-house endurance event brought together senior school students for twelve demanding hours of competition, cooperation and commitment across the grounds of Gordonstoun. Despite a wet and dreich day, student engagement and participation remained consistently high throughout the event. From the opening laps at 10AM through to the final stages at 10PM, the atmosphere was defined by encouragement and energy.
While the event was primarily for senior students, younger students also played a valuable role. Students from Years 9 and 10 contributed significantly to the success of the day, alongside supporters who remained on the sidelines for the full twelve hours. At no point during the race did the sounds of cowbells, horns or vocal encouragement fade, even as daylight gave way to darkness.
About the Event
Dark Skies is an inter-house endurance challenge designed to test stamina, resilience and cooperation. The race takes place entirely within the school grounds and runs continuously for twelve hours, with approximately five hours occurring after nightfall.
The event is divided into two distinct phases:
- Cycling phase (10:00–16:00): Competitors complete laps on mountain bikes over a marked 4 km loop.
- Running phase (from 15:30 onwards): Competitors run an approximately 3 km loop, with cycling laps no longer counting after 16:00.
Student Voices
Eva W., Year 12, Hopeman House said,
“It was an amazing team experience, just seeing everyone in the school trying their best, pushing themselves, and cheering each other on. It gave me a lot of pride in my house (Hopeman) and the school.
“The high house spirit and everyone trying their best, embodying plus et en vous and some people doing things they've never done before or thought they couldn't do—I really enjoyed it.
“The highlight of the day was for me was doing the house chant at the end when Hopeman won. All that hard work really meant something to us, not just winning.”
Eva W., completed 3 laps with her fastest being a 13.30 biking lap.
Sonny A., Year 13, Bruce House said,
“ What made this year different was the atmosphere when I arrived on the South Lawn. Being greeted by friends and housemates immediately lifted my spirits and made me feel completely at ease. Despite the fatigue from rugby, I genuinely wanted to run.
“Although each lap is completed individually, you are always running for something bigger than yourself. The encouragement from others around the course, even in cold and muddy conditions, created a real sense of shared determination.
“I do believe events like Dark Skies strengthens the bonds within houses and creates memories that last well beyond the day itself. My house winning overall provided a strong sense of unity, as that evening we felt proud of one another, knowing it was an entire group effort that brought us the result. ”
Sonny A., completed 1 lap in 12 minutes after coming back from his rugby fixture that took place earlier in the day.
Winners of the Dark Skies 2026
Most Laps – Girls’ House
Hopeman – 45 laps (finished quickest)
Most Laps – Boys’ House
Bruce – 53 laps (finished quickest)
Round Square – 53 laps
Fastest MTB Lap – Girls
Luise B. – Hopeman
Niamh J. – Windmill
Matilda V. – Plewlands
Fastest MTB Lap – Boys
Archie M. – Bruce
Jakob M. – Round Square
Angus S. – Round Square
Fastest Running Lap – Girls
Molly W. – Windmill
Heidi L.P. – Plewlands
Mary B. – Windmill
Fastest Running Lap – Boys
Archie M. – Bruce
Pierre S. – Duffus
Jakob M. – Round Square
Dealas Award – Awarded to the house with the most creative and positive marshalling station.
Bruce
Esprit de Corps – Awarded to the house with the highest percentage of student participation.
Windmill – 92%
A huge congratulations to all competitors and houses for the energy, teamwork and determination that made the 2026 event such a success! See you all next year.
Curious about Gordonstoun? To find out more about our sporting community and the uniquely broad range of opportunities available to our students, join us on our next Virtual Taste of Gordonstoun Webinar.
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