The Tongadale Hotel Portree

... the summit. The view from Ben A'an summit in the Trossachs looked particularly spectacular, so I wanted to climb that one early, in the hope that it would be fairly empty. Then I would wind down Duke's Pass into Aberfoyle, and follow the road down and round to Balmaha on the east side of Loch Lomond, from which Conic Hill could be ...

... 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

... 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 ...

... is on the path today too.

This area also has links to some of the earliest Christian arrivals from Ireland, with the ruined St Fillian's Priory reported to be the site of the original monastic cells of St Fillian who arrived from Ireland in the 8th century and spread Christianity amongst the Picts. Certainly it was an important site - Robert the Bruce raised it to priory status and, even after its dissolution, local people kept up the cemetery.

Inverarnan, Scotland, United Kingdom charlief

Liz & Alec, who gave me a lift last night, turn out to be heading back to Kingshouse this morning so offer me a lift straight back to the start of my walk through the winding valley of Glencoe. The sky is already looking ominously dark so it's on with the waterproofs and I batten down the hatches with my rucksack cover before venturing out across Rannoch Moor.

The rain starts almost as soon as I hit the moor. It's relentless and the headwind ...

... because once I get to Kinlochleven, the mid-point of this stage, I've got a long slog uphill over several miles to get to the Devil's Staircase, which I'll then descend.

With this in mind, I set off early. The WHW starts at a roundabout on the outskirts of Fort William! Where else?! Still, the town is quickly left behind and walkers head onto a drovers' road that leads past Ben Nevis and later views of the Mamores. It's a grey day but the cloud ...

... finished the laundry and the shopping and it was still raining but with the judicious use of black rubbish bags, we kept everything dry and got back to the boat safely. We spent the rest of the day sorting things out, reading, having a hair cut (Julie used #6 on the shears so I don't look too much like a criminal) and generally relaxing, whilst the wind howled and the rain lashed the decks.

... butts, we made it down OK, but a bit wet and dirty - and ready to eat xmas dinner! For dinner we went to the Cuillin hotel, which was quite pricey, but just perfect. There was a giant xmas tree, and an open fire - need I say more? The dinner was 6 (yes, 6) courses, and it was all delicious. Afterward, we played monopoly next to the fire. All in all, it was an excellent christmas day.

... but soon turned south towards the path leading towards the famous loch. As we whipped around the twists and turns of Loch Lomond's shores a steady rain started to pelt the windshield. Countless curses and nervous comments about the road sprang from my dad's mouth as we simply tried to find our way away from the narrow and poorly kept road we were currently on. Eventually we made our way into a small town in about the middle of the lochs extensive length were a ...

... the Isle of Skye , the largest of the Hebrides islands. There are two ways to get to the island: by boat or by road via a bridge that links Scotland and the isle. We opt for the fastest (and cheapest) route: the bridge. Is great to see Scotland from the island! Tonight we'll stay at Dunollie Hotel, a small hotel with the fireplace lit. We are at the end of August but it's already very cold here.