Time to cross the finish line. The rain this morning is the worst we have seen all week. But we braved it and walked the last mile to the new official (commercial) finish of the West Highland Way.
West Highland Way Day 8 – Fort William Read More »
The day started with what is probably the best breakfast of the trip, it included fresh bread, scones, smoked salmon and a large selection of berries and fresh fruit. Richard’s West Highland cooked breakfast could barely fit on the plate.
Having dropped down into Kinlochleven yesterday we had to climb back out this morning through the forest to the old military road.
above and below the Ben Nevis range
We were slower today than we had planned – so we got to Fort William too late to pass the “official finish line” and take photos. So we will finish this walk tomorrow.
But we did pass the “old finish line”!
West Highland Way Day 7 – Kinlochlen to Fort William Read More »
Twenty-one miles today – Rannock Moor and Glen Coe. The weather forecast is fair for the day so I have unloaded the gaiters and over trousers.
I got to the B&B in Kinlochleven at 5pm which meant eight hours and twenty minutes on the track. I had a couple of ten minute breaks and tea on the summit above the Devil’s Staircase. The drop down from there to Kinlochleven was very steep and longer than I expected.
above – Rannoch Moor
above – Glen Coe
above – Glen Coe
And when I finally sat down with a mug of tea at the B&B, “The Big Bang Theory” was on the TV
West Highland Way Day 6 – Bridge of Orchy to Kinlochlen Read More »
The first thing to do today is to get back to the path – which is about half a mile away but it is nearly all “up”.
I am completing this post whilst sitting in front of the log fire, in the lounge at The Bridge of Orchy Hotel lounge.
The day did start with a few spots of rain but by midday it was dry but overcast with the tops of low mountains shrouded in cloud.
We crossed the main road at Tyndrum – where we stopped for a tea and sausage roll in the conveniently placed cafe.
Tomorrow is a twenty-one mile day so we are in a hurry to get to Kinlochleven before dark.
West Highland Way Day 5 – Crainlarich to Bridge of Orchy Read More »
It is now about 3.30pm and we are about four miles away from Crainlarich on the old military road – and the path is such that I can write this whilst walking.
The first five miles of the day were some of the most difficult we will have to walk this week. A narrow fractured, undulating path, where you had to watch where you walked. It took us over three hours to cover five miles. It was similar terrain for the end of yesterday and that too slowed down our progress. This afternoon once we reached the military road our pace picked up.
We had some great views this morning over the loch and even found somewhere to get coffee, Beinglas Farm.
Another thing we saw (and smelt) were goats along the side of the loch, and you really could smell them before you saw them!
West Highland Way Day 4 – Inversnaid to Crainlarich Read More »
The bunkhouse is a converted church, with a mezzanine floor, which is the dining room/common room. As part of the conversion they have retained the stained glass.
Inversnaid Bunkhouse Read More »
The rucksack is heavier today, as we are carrying our overnight stuff, food and equipment we need for tomorrow, because we are not having our case transported today (it costs too much to ship it to Inversnaid). It was because of this extra load that, at the last minute, I decided to bring and use my Golite Jam backpack. The Jam has a very good compression system so it makes a very comfortable daypack for the other days. The large external pocket is particularly useful for my waterproofs, sitmat and gortex gaiters.
To start the walking day we have a taxi ride to Sallochy Bay, where we finished yesterday – I know exactly which rock I was sitting on when the taxi came and that is my starting point for the day.
No 3G signal today so the post is being made from the Inversnaid Bunkhouse, where we are staying tonight. It is a converted church. The room is OK, but we have not yet found a kettle so it looks like if we want a cup of tea we have to buy it – we will ask later.
The walk today was great – we followed the banks of Loch Lomond all day, so it was an easy 10 mile jaunt, the long days start tomorrow. There was plenty of sun today and some great looming clouds and mists.
Tomorrow we needed an early start but breakfast does not start until 8am – we will have to manage.
West Highland Way Day 3 – Sallochy Bay to Inversnaid Read More »