CRUISING SCOTLAND

 Stats: Today we walked 14.7 miles from Ardlui to Tyndrum. We gained 1665’ and descended 965’. It misted for about 10 minutes mid morning but was overcast with no other precipitation all day. It was a “cruising” day with relatively easy trails to walk on and a variety of pleasant scenery.

We start late as the first ferry back across the loch is not until 9am. We of course are first in line for the ferry and arewaiting by 8:45. About 9:10 the boatsman shows up obviously sporting a wicked hangover. He is able to squeeze 16 passengers onto the 12 passenger ferry (12 including crew) and he somehow manages to steer his way across the water. We are second to start hiking just behind a gal from Australia that we had previously met briefly. We soon catch up to Hazel and we end up hiking the entire day with her. She is very pleasant and a great conversationalist. We are at the head of Loch Lomond and start out close to the Fallon River that flows into the lake. It has rained during the night and the trail and all the greenery is soaked. 

The trail is once again through a tunnel of ferns, this time up to head height….and they are soaked and overhang the trail. Within 15 hiking my hiking shorts are soaked on the front and both sides. Shoes and socks are wet as well. We do a fair amount of climbing and the terrain opens up somewhat. We begin to get some nice views of the surrounding hills.

Eventually we from forested areas, to rural farms, and then to paths along the river. There are falls and rapids through almost black rock. The terrain has changed from the dense forests by the loch and becomes less rocky hiking. Gravel paths and smoother trails are the norm. It is a pleasant respite.  We maintain a bit faster pace.

At lunchtime we find a partially dilapidated picnic table to enjoy our trial lunch. Hazel somehow continues to tolerate us as we swap stories and share experiences. We begin to see the first of the purple heather that we are sure we will continue to see, especially on the Isle of Skye. Slowly we are meeting more fellow hikers, most from various parts of the world. In fact I recall having met only one American, and he was a Scottish born fellow that has lived in Atlanta for 25+ years.

                              Rantings of an angry and perhaps somewhat deranged Scottish farmer

At some point today we pass the half way point on the West Highland Way trail, but it is not marked in anyway. Late in the day we come upon a peculiar stone pillar with no marking. I declare that this has to be the halfway marker. From this day forth, it shall be know as such…at least in my mind!

We all are a bit uneasy this evening as we know we have a very hard day ahead of us tomorrow. It will be close to a 20 mile day, it is forecast to rain, strong winds are expected, and we will be above tree line for a long portion of the hike. 

What could possibly go wrong?……….