The Loch Ness Inn Inverness

... through the woods and continued this way for 10 mins or so until I encountered a foot bridge across a small stream. At this point all the layers that I'd thought I might need were being rapidly torn off (a la Snowdon...). The path continued through flatter (and wetter) forest land, until the trees broke up, and I could see the Ben A ...

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 ...

... home town and one of whom lives in our village! Another "small world" moment... I also meet two women from California, Lia and Laura, and Lia tells me about "Trail Angels". This is an American term for people who help walkers out on the long-distance trails e.g. The Appalachian Trail. I like this term as I've definitely met several so far and it's always heartwarming to know that there are people out there ...

... 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 ...

... 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 ...

... s not walking so it's a nice surprise to see her again.

What made me smile today:

The stunning Mamores
The bird that followed me all the way down the fence of the last two miles to Kingshouse
All the lovely, friendly people I met en route and at Kingshouse
Liz & Alec's offer of a lift - very welcome!
Meeting Helen again at Glencoe and hearing how she thought of me when she had to carry her pack from the bus stop to the hostel!

... sort of gadget attached (see picture... had to take one so you all would believe me). We'll see how that works out (or doesn't, more likely) later.

Day 6 Evidence: http://s672.photobucket.com/albums/vv82 /amj7348/Scotland%20Day%206/
Day 7 : http://s672.photobucket.com/albums/vv82 /amj7348/Scotland%20Day%207/

I'v e seen sheep, bionic birds, even highland cows, but STILL no red squirrel.

Que Sera-

Ashley

... myself. Then Steve drove all the way to Inverness and I had to sit and behave myself more! We drove across the Skye bridge this time (not the ferry) and past the famous Eileen Doonan Castle, which was quite lovely. On to Loch Ness which is very long and we drove the whole length. I did not spot Nessie, but I believe it was nap time for her. (YES, I am a believer, but Steve not so much.) We did not "do ...

... were birds chirping and sheep baaaing. The sun was just starting to break over the tops of the mountains. Zipping along at a quick pace, I next stopped at Urquhart Castle on the shores of Lock Ness. Following that I felt obliged to stop at the Lock Ness Monster center.... Just so I can say that I have been there... Here is a picture of the "Ogo Pogo's" relative. The roads today were very ...

... Now Dana was highly entertaining as she was witty as ever and kept the one-liners coming. For example, we were eating trail mix and she looks at me, point blank in the eye, no smile and asks, 'Are you allergic to nuts?' It was craziness. So our first stop was a lake area outside of Killiecrankie and it encompassed every type of terrain possible. It was a clear blue lake, which a huge white sand beach, surrounded by mountains and there was a foot of snow in the ...