Fort William Backpackers

... made it up the steps I had my first view of Loch Achray behind me (left), and further up the track I finally saw over the other side to Loch Katrine (right)... The final bit of the track was pretty easy. Before I knew it I was at the top. It took 45-50 mins, ~1500ft. There were two peaks, one on the Loch Achray side, one on the Loch ...

Today, I was planning to go to the youth hostel at the castle, but the Land Rover had other plans!!!

Oh dear, game over! I popped out to start the Land Rover this morning at around 9am and the engine was smoking like a trooper and sounding a lot worse than it normally does. I called the AA at around 10:00 and they turned up at at around 10:45 from a local garage. He told me that the engine is fairly terminal (piston problem ...

... will go out of their way to help a stranger.

Things that made me smile today:

The multitude of frogs and toads enjoying the wet ground
The two couples who gave me sponsorship at Inversnaid
Feral goats at Inversnaid - the book is not wrong about their smell!
All the lovely people I met at the youth hostel
The drying room - it was extremely hot and all my kit is now properly dry!

... will be the opportunity for a hot shower at the end!

By the time I reach Beinglas Farm, a campsite just outside Inverarnan, and discover that the link path has turned into a thigh-deep stream necessitating walking back through the campsite, I retire to their bar/cafe for a bowl of hot soup and a cup of tea! Refreshed, I head to the Drover's Inn on the main road to see the famous taxidermy menagerie (including a "haggis") and catch the bus back to Crianlarich ...

... if I'd never seen one before), and hills.



On this little post-work afternoon stroll I made it as far as Port of Menteith and the Loch Lomond/Trossachs National Park. Then I realised I could actually continue walking for miles, but ...

... that I'm taking it face on. I'm frustrated that everyone I meet coming the other way looks almost dry! Still, my waterproofs and boots are doing an excellent job and underneath I'm not really wet. The moor seems bleak in this weather but on a clear day there are obviously stunning views to be had.

Heading down to Inverornan, the clouds suddenly roll away and the sun comes out. I take my chances and stop for a quick snack, revelling in the chance ...

My planned rest day in Fort William has been scuppered by a real lack of accommodation for the next couple of days. The only way I can find anywhere to sleep on Friday night is to walk 23 miles to Kingshouse and then head off the West Highland Way (WHW) by taking a bus to Glencoe.

This section of the WHW has a reputation of being challenging due to the "Devil's Staircase" - a steep climb outside Kingshouse. Doing it backwards I've made it harder for ...

Yes I know, we are not at the cricket. Those of you that know CS will truly know she would have to be dragged kicking and screaming to even go to a cricket match let alone one in Scotland. We have enjoyed a very relaxing day wandering around Fort William, taking in the views of Ben Nevis (from OUR BENCH at the front of the Youth Hostel). We even had a visit from our little friend the field mouse. We have ...

Up at 7 in the morning and I did not know what to expect. What you need to understand is it really doesn't snow in the UK. Living in Canada for so long I took for granted the fact that we have snow most of winter. Going to Scotland, we were counting on the fact that there would be snow up on the mountain tips, and really we expected to be disappointed and it would end up being just a road trip. BUT IT WASN'T...best snow conditions in ...