Moorings Hotel Fort William

... onwards to the hostel in Oban, a little fishing village. <br><br>Josh and I believe it or not had Chinese for dinner! Which was very nice i might add. Then we all went to the local Ceilidh House (pronounced Cay-Lee) where there was a traditional band, singers and Highland dancers. Everyone even got up during the dances too! <br><br>So tonight is our official night in Scotland. Tomorrow down the West coast, then back to Edinburgh. Then bus back to Luton overnight! <br><br>XO <br><br>

... the bus onwards to the Isle of Sky. It sits just west of the mainland, over a very pricey bridge - the budget had been about 8 million pounds which blew out to over 32 million pounds, due to ****** weather and some endangered otters nearby. The government then drew the locals ire when they bought the ferry terminal (which had been the other form of transport to the island) and closed it down - meaning everyone had to use the bridge and pay the toll - which was the SAME as what you ...

... It's about 24 miles end to end and about 1/5 miles from side to side. Despite our best Aussie haka, Nessie didn't come out to visit. <br> Further along the Loch to where we are staying tonight AND tomorrow night - two nights in one place, how amazing! We're in a 4 bed room with our own ensuite - our room for those playing along at home? Braveheart of course! We're heading off soon to a Highland History performance, then back to the hostel for some ...

... now. Apparently in teh 90s they did a sonar search of the lake and apparently there are 18 creatures in the Loch but living way, way, way down in the Loch. Ross did seem quite straight faced when he siad this but I'm not too sure!!<br><br>According to legend St Columbo banished the creature to the Loch because he hassled his comrades during his time he spent in Scotland converting the locals. The first ...

... night tonight! <br><br>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!<br><br>Things that made me smile today:<br><br>The sun coming out at Loch Tulla<br>The gate with the "Please Close the Gate" sign. It was stood all alone with no supporting fence, hedge or wall for miles!<br>Getting to Tyndrum - I was pretty tired after 64 miles in three days!<br>

The final stage of the Great Glen Way runs down Loch Lochy and back onto the Caledonian Canal all the way to Fort William and Loch Linnhe. The Caledonian Canal is another feat of 19th century engineering, where rather than use specialist "navvies", the local Highlanders were pressed into service in between their ordinary droving and crofting activities. <br><br>It ...

... so I collect a big bag for dessert/breakfast. <br><br>My lodging for tonight is the Great Glen Hostel at South Laggan, which has free internet on computers in the rooms and where I'm writing this now! Must go, the blackberries await!<br><br>What made me smile today:<br><br>The glorious sunshine<br><br>The Coldstream Guards flautists' who sponsor me in return for my donation<br>

... brake, and the car that didn't like indecision! Some of the main streets were closed because of tramline-building, which confused the NavMan, ever-insistent that we go through roads which were impassable.<br><br>In the end, we just took off in the general direction we thought was right, and relied on the NavMan eventually saying "re-calculating route". After many twists and turns and small ...

... castle and enjoyed the shops and a pub in the area. Before heading back to Glasgow, we stopped at a cafe and Annick took a chance on a haggis. Now, before you all make that face that you're making, it was a vegetarian haggis, and it was quite delicious. The next morning we headed down to the train station again to catch the West Highland train to Fort William. What incredible views as we travelled comfortably through the Trossachs ...

... ride that goes half way up Aonach Mor, a 4006 ft mountain nearby. Update: We took the train trip and it was INCREDIBLY beautiful. Mountains, lakes, crags, rocks, sheep, ancient looking viaducts, monuments, ruins...WOW!! Mallaig was a small fishing and tourist town, very quaint, It was SO HOT. It must have been (still is) over 30 today and tomorrow they say will be a record high (over 35). We must have brought the heat with us. We saw Neptune's ...