Friday 26 March to Sunday 28 March
Planned to do the West Highland Way this weekend but as the weekend approached I could see that the weather wasn't looking too promising. But having done it several times before I thought I'd just go for it and see how far I could get before the bad weather set in and if it did look really bad then it's easy enough to get transport back home.
So left work at lunchtime on Friday and headed for Milngavie, parked the car and waterproofs on right from the start and off I went at 1230.
Just about 10 minutes into the walk and thought I'd take a pic looking back at Milngavie.
4 miles gone and approching Carbeth Huts.
First views of Dumgoyne
The weather was pretty grey all round today and going up over Conic Hill I did find myself in dense wet mist. Down the other side into Balmaha.
Met a nice couple just along the road in Balmaha who had been reminiscing about the most wonderful trip of their lives on the WHW 2 years ago in lovely sunshine in June. Not so lovely this weekend. It's about 6pm so just round the corner at Balmaha and look for a suitable camping spot.
Fairly comfortable night although my trousers were wetter underneath the waterproofs from yesterday and my phone decided to give up due to dampness probably. Damp trousers back on and then the waterproofs on as well and off I went at 6.15am.
Some nice views over Loch Lomond early on in the morning.
And then came across these guys while passing one of the campsites between Balmaha and Rowardennan.
Some more views further on from Rowardennan and one of the many streams from which I drink all the time when doing these walks.
Decided to take it a bit slower going to Inversnaid as I wanted to get there after the Bar opened at 11am. Timing was perfect as I arrived at 11.05 only to find that the bar was closed and I only wanted a coke to get some sugar. Oh well just carry on the Beinglas Farm where I'd get soup and a toastie and my coke of course. Beinglas have a shop that opens at 4pm so by the time I've had something to eat the shop will be open and I'll get supplies for the next day.
Approaching Inversnaid.
Didn't bother stopping and carried on. More wildlife on route. I didn't want to get too close to this guy but I don't think he was caring somehow. He didn't even raise his head to look at me and kept on munching.
After the rough and tumble of the up and down path from Inversnaid, it starts to open out briefly.
Approaching Doune Bothy
Shortly after this, the sun came out and I lay down on the open grass to sunbathe. Mind you still had the full waterproof gear on. Forgot to mention, yesterday I was passed by 5 runners and today 8 runners - each to his own. Wasn't sunbathing long before the rain started again so up and went. A short while later the sun came out again so took the opportunity to lay out some damp clothes rather unsuccessfully - not enough sun.
Finally arrived at Beinglas Farm only to find the Bar here was closed also. Had a look through the shop window and it didn't even have the shelves stocked. Could have gone over to the Drovers but really couldn't be bothered as I had an emergency self heating meal and thought I'd try that tonight. Never had one before so this would be a first.
Headed on passed Beinglas Farm and headed for Crianlarich. Decided to pitch the tent early so that I could get the meal set up and so a few miles after Beinglas found a nice area for the tent or so I thought. Got settled and had Beef Stew and Dumplings and very nice it was too. Settled down early and then the rain really started and the wind got up and the pitch wasn't as good as I thought as the tent was getting buffeted from a few different directions.
Still raining in the morning and the weather looked really bad for Sunday so made my mind up to go to Crianlarich and head for the small Store to get some food and liquid and then get the bus back to Glasgow.
Last pic of Derrydarroch between Beinglas and Crianlarich.
I might come back with my son in July during the school holidays but do it over a leisurely 6 days staying in nice B&B's.
