For mom, today started with our included breakfast. Would have been more Scottish if I got the beans, but they weren’t refried and stuffed into a flour tortilla so I took a pass. Sadly it accompanied the first not spectacular coffee I’ve had here so far. But that’s probably what happens when you’re not paying $8 CAD per cup.
The walk started pretty easily. Quiet lochside trails. Some uphill, but nothing major. Came across an honesty box too quickly after that plate of food above to need to buy anything.
Most of the rest of the day was really rocky and rooty trail. I’d describe it as almost technical. No big climbs or anything, but you had to stay pretty focused on your footsteps lest you end up sliding down into the water (which is really, really cold). To be honest, I was glad for fairly involved terrain, but it sure made slow going. We were en route for 8 hours today, far longer than the last 2 days.
About half way through the day was an inn that we stopped at for tea and coffee. An hour or so after that we had brown bag lunches, complete with juice boxes, that our hotel last night provided for basically the cost of a fairly fancy meal out at home.
Despite the forecast we had almost full sun and pretty warm weather today. It did rain a bit a few times, but the one time we bothered to pull out rain gear it was over 2 minutes later. The minute, and I mean minute, we got to the accommodation this afternoon it started sleeting. Lasted about 60 seconds. I will note that a little moisture and cloud cover paired with a breeze is the difference between shorts / t-shirt and 3 layers of clothing.
Perhaps an hour before the end of the today we came to the northern tip of Loch Lomond and thus the end of that part of the walk. We saw some feral goats (wow do they ever smell) and a sweet little bothy.
After the lake we began a gentle hike into the hills.
And arrived at our inn about an hour later. Congratulatory drinks on the patio, dinner, shower and now bed.
Tomorrow will be shorter and I think easier.
Love the photos. I can see why this hike is so popular. My favorite photo – the goat, looks pretty healthy for a “feral”. Then the honesty box. Imagine they can charge what they want when you’ve got starving hikers passing by. Hope you’re both holding up well. Hugs, Ma
P.S. Thanks for the food photos!
Ya. what your ma says. Thanks for the food pics. and the scenery. I was thinking that plate of venison curry wouldn’t sustain me after all the walking. Next dinner break tell them you’re a group of four and you’re ordering for your slower friends ; )
Thanks for the goat picture .. have you seen many? sheep? snipes? birds of prey?
In Colombia and Eastern Europe ordering multiple mains was an affordable luxury. When a plate of food is >$30 not so much.
There were 3 goats. We’ve seen very little in the way of wildlife otherwise, excluding some rowdy Glaswegians.
Glad you found my honesty box! Also glad you had venison, rather than feral goat curry.
Pretty much ever mountain in this country is named after you Ben. The goats definitely didn’t smell edible.
Loving following along. Keep the words and photos coming!
Hi Chad,
I’m enjoying reading about your travels in that beautiful country. Now that you’re in the highlands it I’ll bet it’s even more stunning. Glad you’ve had such good weather so far. Wondering-do you like haggis?
-David
I’ve never had it and am not itching to try it! I may give it a go one of these nights all the same.
I’m anxious to hear your review if you do try it. I like it, and ordered it essentially everywhere they had it on the menu provided they claimed it was house-made.