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| Lane up from Invermoriston |
Another day which would have been enjoyed more if I wasn't so Tennis obsessed. Murray was due to start playing at 2ish which gave me six hours to walk the twenty or so miles to Drumnadrochit- unlikely. With that in mind I was gone by 8 sharp, filling up my water and waving goodbye to the bikers headed off to find breakfast. The co-op provided it and following the road out of Fort Augustus. I'm afraid I cheated a little from here and walked along the road for the next five or so miles to Invermoriston. This was probably a mistake as there was no pavement and far too sharp a corners. I have no excuses I was feeling lazy and wanted to listen to music and tune out. I'd discovered my scorn for Tom Jones was wrong, if I ignored his really popular numbers like 'Sex Bomb' then I couldn't get enough of it. Such a great voice! I need to stop judging things without just cause, it means I miss out on so much.
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| Wicker wheel with Ben Nevis in the far far distance...maybe |
The road took a while and I reached Invermoriston eager to go back to the trail no matter how savage the climb. I bought myself a banana milkshake from the post office and leaving the road put both earphones in set to blast Delilah at me. The path zigzags up Croit an Talleir, but even then its horribly steep. On the way up I was past by a dog walker with two big dogs at his heel, one a great dame and seeming to have as much difficulties as me with the gradient. He was huge and stunning but no walker, unlike the mongrel along with them who ran backwards and forwards with excitements.
The higher route is freshly laid, the path not yet on the map, its sides sharp and the bridges still gleaming. Both routes have a climb but this ones is accompanied with views. The climb got to me and I changed my music to 'Touching the Void' and suddenly felt considerably less in pain as I listened to Joe Simpson struggle back down to camp. Even though the climb was tough the rewards were considerable, views of Loch Ness can be glimpsed bellow and as you approach Meall na Sroine you can look back all the way to Ben Nevis- well the guide book says so and there were definitely tall mountains in the distance. A big wicker wheel had been placed to look through and would have been stunning if it wasn't for (yet again) the logging which carved up the landscape around it.
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| Loch Ness |
The hard part of the day is now done and carrying on along the ridge, over a wonderful little troll bridge with posted poetry nearby, before pausing to enjoy the view and ate a load of crisps. At Grotaig you join a small lain and follow it all the way to Drumnadroichit. I met a pair walking the Great Glen Way and matching their brisk pace talked with the lady for the next hour. A fascinating woman, experienced hiker and wonderfully young in spirit. I desperately hope that I'm like that after my retirement, still able to wonder around the world and seek adventure. As they were been true to the trail they turned left before reaching the town, me been a lazy cheat I carried straight on down to camp.
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| Loch Ness above Ruskich Wood |
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| Borlum Barn Campsite |
Borlum Barn Campsite is cheaper than most of the other campsites in Scotland, friendly and well equipped. As it's a ridding school there is also a wonderful stock of beautiful horses around the place. I only had one thing on my mind by this point, it already been 16:30, and I dumped my back still packed at camp before whizzing into town in search for a pud with live tennis. The Lochness Backpackers Hotel provided just this and there was still a set an a half left to watch of Murray's match! Djokovic due to be on court next! This made me very happy and wiggling my bum into a better position I lent back to enjoy it. Another hiker came in a joined me for the evening, a lady who'd given up on her Skye hike (too wet) and decided to walk this one instead. We talked, Murray won and Djokivic went two sets down- a good evening. Djokovic would almost certainly come back tomorrow but the wearier that man is the better it is for Murray's prospects.
The road took a while and I reached Invermoriston eager to go back to the trail no matter how savage the climb. I bought myself a banana milkshake from the post office and leaving the road put both earphones in set to blast Delilah at me. The path zigzags up Croit an Talleir, but even then its horribly steep. On the way up I was past by a dog walker with two big dogs at his heel, one a great dame and seeming to have as much difficulties as me with the gradient. He was huge and stunning but no walker, unlike the mongrel along with them who ran backwards and forwards with excitements.
Borlum Barn Campsite is cheaper than most of the other campsites in Scotland, friendly and well equipped. As it's a ridding school there is also a wonderful stock of beautiful horses around the place. I only had one thing on my mind by this point, it already been 16:30, and I dumped my back still packed at camp before whizzing into town in search for a pud with live tennis. The Lochness Backpackers Hotel provided just this and there was still a set an a half left to watch of Murray's match! Djokovic due to be on court next! This made me very happy and wiggling my bum into a better position I lent back to enjoy it. Another hiker came in a joined me for the evening, a lady who'd given up on her Skye hike (too wet) and decided to walk this one instead. We talked, Murray won and Djokivic went two sets down- a good evening. Djokovic would almost certainly come back tomorrow but the wearier that man is the better it is for Murray's prospects. 
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