West Highland Way 2009

The Journey Day by Day by Brian and Carrie Ross

An easy walk on an old military road to start, following a river. We talked to Clare from New Zealand who is undertaking a degree in Forestry. Note to self, lone women on long walks are all very intelligent. She and Andrew peeled off for some refreshments at Crianlarich. We continued up into a dense forest area. We tried to stop for coffee a couple of times, but were beaten by midges. You really do have to keep moving. By now, parts of my body resembled a red, itchy mountain range. The worst parts seem to be at the top of my socks; apparently midges love the extra blood that collects there.

Leaving the forest, we passed through experimental farms. We saw the prettiest sheep, known as Scottish Blackface and had a welcome cup of tea at the Wigwam Campsite. We met up again with Keith and Eric from Elgin (of the midge hat). We were to stay at Glengarry House, half a mile before Tyndrum and there is an option to cut across the fields straight to the house, but as we had a long day on the morrow, we elected to walk into Tyndrum and walk back along the road. We had booked into Glengarry for a meal; so popped into the Green Wellie Shop and bought some Avon Skin So Soft which the Scotts rate as the best anti-midge spray. They sell it in either blue or pink bottles. I made the decision to dedicate my body to science, using different sprays on different body parts to see which was most effective - results to follow.

We saw Carl & Ray having a drink at the Hotel and simply had to join them. Others joined in as they attempted to walk by. We were reluctant to leave, but realized we were all staying in the Kingshouse Hotel the next day and decided the first one in had to buy drinks. Note to self: make an early start! Back at Glengarry, we had a very nice meal of orange-crusted salmon cooked by Ellen. The breakfast was good too; a nice spot and although close to the road, very quiet and comfortable.

B&B:

Glengarry House

Nice room, nice food, nice host and the best beds on the whole route. Enjoy sitting in the picture window watching their free-range chickens.

Day Four - 13 miles

Inverarnan to Tyndrum