Drumnadrochit to Dingwall (Ross and Cromarty)

Weather today: Showery

Daily Miles Covered: 27.3

Total Miles Covered: 951

Things of Interest: Red Kites

Personal Comments: I wasn't looking forward to the afternoon, where I knew it would be on the main roads. As I left D/drochit it was on my mind, but on I went. The G.G.way was to prove to have just another sting in the tail. It turned out that my last section was to be the highest on all the way. Leaving the main A82, upwards I went, where I met a young guy from S. Africa called Aiden. We walked along together for 5 miles to reach the top and not a view of L. Ness in sight. 1 mile further on we said goodbye, he was off to Inverness, I was off to Dingwall. It was forced medicine as there was no alternative, but to walk on tarmac to go north. In a wood near to Belladrum, I had lunch in style, I found a plastic chair, positioned in the sun and ate well. At this point a Golden Eagle, again came soaring into view, it stayed around for 3 minutes or so, what a wonderful sight. On the A833 it wasn't as bad as I thought, but I knew the A862 wouldn't be so kind. In Beauly, I rested and let the world go by for 20 minutes, this where I saw a couple of Red Kites gliding around the sky, I believe there is a reserve nearby at Strathpeffer (Courtesy of P.C.) Taking my life in my hands again I bit the bullet and went quickly to Muir of Ord. A nice quiet place, a bit different. On again to Dingwall not daring to look anywhere but at the traffic. Made it safe only just.

Fort Augustus to Drumnadrochit

Weather today: Showery all day

Daily Miles Covered: 23

Personal Comments: Leaving F. Augustus behind, there was the mandatory hill to climb at the beginning
Total Miles Covered: 926.7

Things of Interest: Loch Ness


of the day I was armed with my camera at the ready, knowing full well that a quick snap of Nessie could be my salvation. In the woods high above L. Ness, the canopy of trees was not as bad as other days at least I could see the sky. The showers came and went, at least it wasn't cold. When there were gaps in the trees the views of L. Ness were stunning, the mist was hanging low, and it gave a surreal look to the landscape. At the 8 mile mark I descended into Invermoriston, a small village that had a bit of history behind it. Thomas Telford built the main road bridge in the village in 1808, to improve transport in area. An arched bridge with plenty of character about it. Leaving Invermoriston behind, another steeper hill this time to climb to take me high again above the glen. I was looking across the loch for 3 tyres submerged to their diameter with a head out of the water winking at me, I have to report people that there is no L. Ness monster, I know it's a shock but there it is.
Still a long way to go, the track wound it's way uphill and down glen frequently, leaving me exasperated at times, I just wanted to go north east. At the top of a hill I met 4 guys who were going in the opposite direction, eating cake and drinking whisky, they offered me both, I took took the cake, whisky ugh! I said goodbye to them, they wished me well. Eventually Drumnadrochit came into view not too soon for me, it had been a tough day. Tomorrow I leave the glen to make an assault on the roads to the east coast

Clunes to Fort Augustus

Weather today: Drizzle overcast am, Sunny intervals pm.

Daily Miles Covered: 21

Total Miles Covered: 903.7

Things of Interest: The Invergarry Railway

Personal Comments: Damp start to the walk today, I was off at 7.50 with low cloud hanging over the mountains. By L. Lochy all you can see is fir trees, up steep slopes, staying perpendicular all the way to the skyline, both sides of the loch they are everywhere. It didn't interest me the early stage today, so I was glad to see the back of L. Lochy. At Invergarry I had to cross the A82 with great care, to pick up the path on the east side of Loch Oich. 2 miles further along I came across a disused railway. Originally it ran from Fort Augustus to Invergarry, it was built in 1897, with great attention to construction, as there would be an extension eventually to the mainline at Inverness. Sadly in 1946 it closed, and it never came to pass, as there were too many companies involved, and they could not agree. Now the trees are reclaiming their former place, leaves on the line indeed!
The weather by now was picking up, so I had lunch by the side of The Caledonian Canal further along. It was heading to F. Augustus another 6 miles away. The clouds had all lifted giving a completely different look to the day, it quickened my steps. As the canal ends at F. Augustus, here starts Loch Ness, I shall be there tomorrow to dispel the myth of the monster, I hope.

Fort William to Clunes (by Loch Lochy)

Weather today: Cloudy

Daily Miles Covered: 15

Total Miles Covered: 882.7

Things of Interest: Neptunes Staircase

Personal Comments: Leaving F. William behind, todays walk will begin on The Great Glen Way. I had no information about whereabouts it started only a map. I found myself on Morrisons car park, then I moved to the station, I eventually found it at the Underwater Centre. It took me along upstream by the River Lochy and soon to a village called Caol. At the start of The Caledonian Canal, there is a series of 8 locks to take boats up approx. 64 ft. to what would be a journey to the east coast of Scotland. It is a feat of civil engineering that Thomas Telford began in 1806 and the canal was completed in 1822. Once past the locks, Harry joined me for 3 miles to keep me company for an hour. With the canal on my left and River Lochy on my right, there was no shortage of things to see. At Gairlochy there was one final lock to take boats to the start of Loch Lochy. The GGW. goes to the east side of L. Lochy, and approaching Bunarkaig a Golden Eagle came swooping across some pines, leaving me astounded it was only maybe 7oft away from me, I wont forget this day. Following the road to Clunes we made camp by L. Lochy, no football for us tonight, ah well.

Kinlochleven to Fort William (Highland)

Weather today: Warm fine

Daily Miles Covered: 13.7

Total Miles Covered: 867.7

Things of Interest: Golden eagles

Personal Comments: The first 2k. today proved to be the hardest, as it climbed out of K/leven. It went up through a broadleaved wood to reveal after half an or so a stunning view back down to the valley, the whole of Loch Leven was revealed, looking quite photogenic, so I took several. Pressing on, I bumped into a young man from Sowerby Bridge, Johnnie, he was carrying a heavy pack as he had been on the tops, so we were evenly paced. We walked together until F. William talking about this and that, he wished me well. The track proved easy to follow, as it was an old drove trail. 3 miles away from F. William, I saw my first ever golden eagle, courtesy of Johnnie, it was soaring high above us, wheeling around effortlessly, possibly looking for lunch. Further down the valley another one came into view, maybe the same one but it was a lot higher. Entering Glen Nevis, I got my first real view of The Ben (Nevis) and what a magnificent sight it was. Towering high over the valley, slightly covered in mist, I could see the tourist trail up, snaking its way upwards in zig zag fashion. There were people on it looking like ants. Having a day off tomorrow we invested in a campsite to get a shower, and all our washing done. I am looking forward to an easy day Monday, as after that its a big push, maybe 20 more walking days to finish