Raasay Hostel Isle of Raasay

... 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 ...

... phones through to the AA and books a transporter to take me back to take me back to Nottingham (East Leake).

Tow truck 1, turns up at 11:50 to take me on the first leg of the journey home from Fort William to Stirling. This takes approx 3 hours and I get dropped at Stirling service station where I am supposed to be met by the next tow truck. It takes about an hour for the next truck to turn up. Which was arranged for 14:30

Today's route from Inverarnan to Rowardennan has a reputation second only to the Devil's Staircase for being "difficult". Rocks and tree roots line the path at the northern end of Loch Lomond and the going is reported to be difficult.

It's with some trepidation that I set off then but the path isn't quite as bad as I feared. At least the rain has stopped! There is a lot of clambering up and down and in ...

... from the American and Canadian embassies in South-East of England. He very kindly shares his bottle of wine with me and we have a lovely supper. He's off to join his wife in the US until January when he gets back and I'm very envious that he will be in glorious sunshine soon!

What makes me smile today:

The thought that whatever the weather I have a bag of warm, dry clothes
Hugh's generous sponsorship and sharing of red wine. Thank you Hugh!

... in a Little House on the (Scottish) Prairie kinda way. This is the view from the lounge/front garden (I challenge you to spot another house) and what the locals think of Blairhoyle (see small print)...



Anyway, there is no ...

... night tonight!

Tyndrum is disappointingly a glorified layby but the hostel is lovely with plenty of space, a great drying room and I'm looking forward to my day off!

Things that made me smile today:

The sun coming out at Loch Tulla
The gate with the "Please Close the Gate" sign. It was stood all alone with no supporting fence, hedge or wall for miles!
Getting to Tyndrum - I was pretty tired after 64 miles in three days!

... by 7pm (6-7 miles away)!

The last two miles follow the road across the bogs and moorland but the traffic is offset by the huge looming presence of Buchaille Etive Mor, an iconic and much-photographed hill that dominates the landscape. I stop to get a couple of shots, sad that the sky isn't clearer and wishing I'd got here earlier!

Kingshouse's only building is an historic droving inn and there is a popular wild camping spot ...

It was a day of rest today. It rained all day long and it was actually a welcomed respite. We have been going every day since we arrived nearly 2 weeks ago. We did attempt to go into Aberfoyle to the local market, however, the roads had a different idea. When we arrived at the edge of town, the road was flooded and we could not go any further. We simply turned around and came back.

... rain and the midges (the damn midges/biting flies) until we finally ot sun and until the Jacobite train passed by and let out steam - gorgeous pics! We quickly descended the hill and walked back to the Glenfinnan train station and waited at the restaurant car where we got some well-needed hot chocolate and relaxed for about 20 minutes until we needed to catch the train back to Fort William. After catching the train, we connected to Glasgow and then from Glasgow to Stirling ...

... us it was closed on Thursdays and Fridays so we couldn't go in but we did get some lovely photos from the outside. By the time we left there it was starting to get dark so we headed off home tired but happy. One last thing. While at Stirling Castle we were taking in the hills and mountains that could be seen in the distance, and spied one that appeared all white on top in contrast to all the others. We asked our guide about it who told us ...