Birchbrae Self Catering Lodges Fort William

... it would be really good to explore all the islands my boat, and so i set to finding something suitable. I found a site, for a tall ship based in Paihia that does day trips out from there. It looks an amazing experience and something ive always wanted to do! Thats on the 28th of November, so look out for the pics:) Im also planning on doing some kayaking up here, of course, make it feel like home a bit! Then, a ...

... The Nevis ranges comprises of three peaks - and apparently more people die trying to climb Ben Nevis than on the roads of Scotland due to poor preparation and the rapidly changing weather. Where we stopped is a monument to those who have died protecting the country, and as we were taking photos a platoon of army boys came jogging past. Evidently the ranges is a popular training ground - they have to run up to 10 miles with 30 pound backpacks on their backs!

Next we ...

... today is terrible, we are walking in 35-50 mph winds and it is constantly raining in our faces. We get to the half way point (in height any way) and stop for some thing to eat. The second half of the
mountain climb was a lot harder than the first and as we climb higher and higher we get further and further into the clouds and it gets colder and windier as we climb. We finally reach the summit and the ...

I've made it to Fort William, checked into the SYHA Glen Nevis and decided to go for a walk in to town to get some dinner. Little did I know that it was 3.5 miles each way in the pouring rain to Morrisons.

Gone to far to turn around and I am wet now.

... dry out a little! Heading over the hill towards Bridge of Orchy I turn around and am rewarded with stunning views of Loch Tulla and the hills behind it.

By Bridge of Orchy I'm pretty tired but there are a still a few miles to go. It's 3pm but I pop into the hotel bar, grab a sandwich to fuel me to Tyndrum and meet three walkers heading the other way who'd had the same idea. They're wild camping and at least one of them isn't looking forward to a ...

... for reasons best only to the planners, winds its way around the housing estates of Caol, through some marshy land and finishes on a roundabout opposite Morrisons and McDonalds! Not really a fitting start or end to a National Trail!

What makes me smile today:

The sunshine - it was really hot today
The lovely people at the Great Glen Hostel

John

Our first destination was the sea town of Oban which was reached by diriving west past Glasgow then up through the high country and back down the coast at Oban. It was a real thrill to set eyes on the ' bonny bonny banks of Loch Lomand' on the anniversary of mum's passing and we came across a small church on its shores and gave thanks for her life. Lock Lomand was beautiful but there ...

... and turrets. Very friendly couple who live there and run the b&b, with a huge golden lab, possibly crossed with a St. Bernard. He came out of their private living quarters when we got there, basically towing Grandma, with a big stuffed sheep chew toy in his mouth. Next day, we rode the Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig and back. We did it for Bill and his ...

... North towards Glasgow, and then onto Fort William in the Scotish Highlands. It's a small town sitting at the base of Ben Nevus, the tallest Mountain in Britain at 4406ft tall. To be honest it didn't look at that big to us. The Drive up saw some great scenery, The highlands are very mountainous and breathtaking. Our accommodation for the night was spent in a Hostel called Smiddy's Bunkhouse in an 8 Bed Dorm room which ...

... a wine haze, by stating 'it's okay, I'm a nurse' I'm sure it helped! The next morning, up bright and early, myself and another nurse got dressed, loaded up out gear and headed over to BEN NEVIS for our big ascent. It was a beautiful day, the sky was clear and the air crisp. The walk from the hostel to the base of the mountain was 4 minutes, and we were all psyched up for the big climb. As we made our way up, we stopped often to see the sights and drink water. We hadn't really brought enough ...