West Highland Way 30th April to 4th May

[The Morgans]

Day 1 Milngavie to Balmaha

Set off with four friends on Sat 30th April full of excitement and with a spring in our steps. First stop Beech Tree Inn for the pieces. Onwards with high spirits and no blisters. Weather warm and windy, lost my new hat on top of Conic Hill, I'm sure Donna had it last when I was taking pictures but she denied it although I do have a picture if required for evidence heading to Oak Tree Inn for dinner and overnight stay. Great place and would highly recommend it.

Day 2 Balmaha to Inverarnan

Up early for the walk to Inverarnan and the pull of the Drovers for a pint. First sign of blisters for one of the five and out with the wonderful compede. Spirits still high and looking forward to the challenge ahead. Lovely views of the Cobbler and nice to see from other side, I had climbed the week before with hubby, my son Richard and his friend. Met loads of nice people along the way for a blether and stopped at Rowardennan for a drink. Chatted with 2 guys, think they were brothers, we called one of them teddy man as he had his daughters teddy on top of rucksack. We caught up with them along the road to Inversnaid and he told us he left wallet with all money in for his trip in Rowerdennan and no-one handed in . Heads kind of down after that until we reached Inversnaid and he called hotel and yes, some honest soul handed it in. We did not meet again as they stopped over at Inversnaid but I'm sure the hotel had some kind of problem. Hope you enjoyed the rest of your adventure guys! This section of walk was certainly more physical and poor Donna had real trouble with her feet. We all pulled together and made it to Inverarnan at about 9pm. Dinner, wine and bed, nursing the feet.

Day 3 Inverarnan to Bridge of Orchy

Set off from the Rose Cottage after good breakfast, another warm day and good to have the sun on your back, stopped at Tyndrum for long break to recharge batteries and nurse the blisters and other sore bits. We lost one of our friends at Tyndrum (not literally) as she was feeling unwell and did not feel she could carry on. Spirits probably a bit low.
This section of walk was good as had spells in the shade of the forests. Set off from Tyndrum at 6.30pm and the push was on to get to Bridge of Orchy for the much looked forward to glass of wine and dinner, got there in good time at 9.15pm. After another long day checked into the "sleeper" and have to say we were not impressed with the accomodation and certainly would not return next year. (enough said) Don't know if anyone else encountered the highlands cows just before Bridge of Orchy, prety scary I was ready to jump the fence at one point.


Day 4 Bridge of Orchy to Kinlochleven
For me this was the day and section of the way I was looking forward to the most, excited at the thought of walking over Rannoch Moore and seeing the splendid Buachaille Etive Mor, we were not disappointed. Was a scorcher of a day and hardly any respite from the sun which made for a tough walk to Kinlochleven. We stopped at Kingshouse for a well deserved drink and bite to eat and set of to Kinlochleven. Myself and Jane had a good climb up the Devils Staircase and sang all the way up and down into Kinlochleven. My singing has not improved any

Day 5 Kinlochleven to Fort William
Set off sharp for the last leg of the walk, another very warm day with hardly any shade, a harder day than expected and really had to push on to get to destination i time for train. Made it to Fort William in good time so off to the pub for a beer and then to pick up the bags at the Nevis Centre. Unfortunately we got Nevis Centre mixed up with Nevis sports and almost missed the train home. Thanks to the Glaswegain guy in white transit van in car park who bundled us into van with luggage and took us to the train station and to the train station staff and driver who held up the train for us. A great walk made all the richer meeting others and sharing stories.

A few wee tips for fellow walkers

Make sure you train before you go, low level and hills
Walk in your boots and feet
Compede Compede Compede
Painkillers are a must
Take enough water to last the days walk

[gaffr]

Seems like much better weather that you are having today down there? Today, up here, it has been mostly a wet day. Is this you all just beginning your journey Northwards today?

[The Morgans]

Hi there yes this was the first day sat 30 April, weather was hot all walk, dare I say a little too hot

[gaffr]

I guess I got the wrong week-end....I thought that you were sending the reports as you were heading North I suppose that this would be possible with the wee computers built into cameras nowadays? That long week-end we were up in the Fisherfield area where it was clear, sunny but with at times a gusty old wind.

[The Morgans]

we walked from sat 30th April to Wed 4th May, had great weather, still trying to update and finish the report.