The Great Glen Lodges Inverness

... side. Loch Katrine peak was higher, I figured, so this was the best place to take my summit conquering shots from. Sure enough I saw no-one at all on the climb up, and the summit was deserted and windy but wonderfully peaceful. It was cloudy climbing all the way up, and I wondered if the views would be distorted. Thankfully not - it was 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 ...

... wet I can see how it would be particularly difficult, but perhaps because this section comes at the start of my day, whereas everyone else does it at the end, it's not overwhelming.

Rob Roy is the focus of the legends for this stage with both Rob Roy's Cave and Rob Roy's Prison on the path. The path to the cave is full of huge rocks and after a few minutes I opt to turn back as I'm pretty sure ...

... 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 ...

... that I'm taking it face on. I'm frustrated that everyone I meet coming the other way looks almost dry! Still, my waterproofs and boots are doing an excellent job and underneath I'm not really wet. The moor seems bleak in this weather but on a clear day there are obviously stunning views to be had.

Heading down to Inverornan, the clouds suddenly roll away and the sun comes out. I take my chances and stop for a quick snack, revelling in the chance ...

... setting a cracking pace up the hill. We walk together for about a half a mile until he decides that I'm far too slow for him! The hill climb is slow but not as bad as I'd feared and the views from the top are spectacular, especially with the brooding clouds. The Devil's Staircase is tough on the legs as a descent but it's not nearly as bad as made out. Still, I don't envy the people are who just starting it at 4.50pm, looking exhausted and hoping to be in ...

... 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

... but it's not too shabby watching Ronaldo! Our cottage is just so small and rather uncomfortable, but the TV is good, so 'someone' is happy. Sadly, Doctor Who was on at the same time as football, so I still have not got to see a single episode. I think we will be downloading the entire season back home, as everyone is raving about this season. The weather is staying quite miserable all week. Highs of 14° only, cloud and some rain.

... being too dangerous to drive, we were stranded at this beautiful pub for about 4 hours. Though the tour company were kind enough to keep us entertained and stop our complaining by allowing us an open bar for that period, which we all appreciated very much! A fitting end to the tour I think, before a lovely replacement bus came to collect us, with a quick diversion to the tribute to William Wallace before arriving back to the lovely but uncomparable Edinburgh!!!

... started to gust. By the time we reached the top it was really wild and we were so glad of the large walled cairn which we climbed into for our lunch. After lunch, we really weren't too enthusiastic about leaving our shelter, and following the ridge in the wind was pretty scary, but the rapidly moving clouds did allow for some views on the way to the next hilltop. We picked our way round a rocky ridge but then had to make a decision whether to ...