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David Parrish, an acclaimed ultra-marathon runner from Dumfries, was in the final stages of wedding preparations when he tragically passed away while running in the Highlands. David had been attempting to set a new record as the fastest person to complete the Cape Wrath trail—an arduous 234-mile (376km) route stretching from Fort William to Cape Wrath. His fiancée of seven years, Jade Lau, shared with BBC Scotland News that their wedding was just three weeks away, and they had been busy organizing playlists and writing speeches in anticipation of their special day.
Jade described David as “full of life, funny and loving,” noting that he was particularly excited in the weeks leading up to his latest run. The couple had previously hiked the Cape Wrath trail together in 2021, and David, who was an experienced ultra-marathon competitor, had won the Cape Wrath Trail race in 2023. This demanding trail navigates through some of the UK’s most challenging terrain, including Lochaber, Knoydart, Applecross, and Torridon. For this recent challenge, David was fundraising for Scottish Mountain Rescue to honor the memory of his close friend, Luke Ireland.
Jade expressed immense pride in David’s abilities and achievements, though she admitted to feeling cautious about the risks involved in such extreme endurance challenges. She said, “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 fundraiser supporting Scottish Mountain Rescue has now raised over £30,000, a number that Jade says would have made David extremely proud.
Regarding the circumstances leading up to the search, Jade recalled last hearing from David as he entered Knoydart Forest, where he expected to lose phone signal temporarily. After some time passed without contact, she and friends began tracking him via GPS but decided to alert the police when he did not check in. Jade received a call from police classifying the situation as a “high-risk missing person” case, and soon after, she was informed of David’s death at a police station in Kyle of Lochalsh. His running club expressed deep sorrow, describing him as “an immensely talented runner and a wonderful person.” Jade spoke movingly about the support she had received from friends, family, and emergency services, which has been “vital” in helping her come to terms with the loss. She also reflected on the couple’s shared love of the Highlands, hiking, running, and their dog Munro, hoping one day to return to the trail and feel David’s presence alongside them
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