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For this year’s work fundraiser some eejit (wait a minute that was me
) thought it would be a good idea to do the Lochalsh Dirty 30 Challenge. Not all of us could make the official event, so we decided to do the route on our own a couple of weeks after. The Lochalsh Dirty 30 (so called because it is muddy in places) is a 30-miles circular walk through some fantastic scenery in the Highlands.
There is a description and map of the route here on Walk Highlands (with a link to the official event included)
.
On Saturday six of us headed up to Shiel Bridge campsite, pitched our tents, had a barbeque, and then popped into the Kintail Lodge Hotel for a couple of drinks and a listen to the acoustic band
.
On Sunday morning we decided to start the walk straight from the campsite, which is on the route. (The official start point is the village hall in Glenelg, 13 miles away).
- Glen Walk 1
- Glen Walk 2
The first part of our walk (Shiel Bridge to Balvraid via Moyle – 8 miles) was through terrific scenery; roaming through glens mostly, with some forest tracks and country roads. I was so confident we were going to spy an eagle somewhere in this 30-miles landscape that I put a wager on with Bendy (yup, the very same who was with me on a recent jaunt to the Lairig Ghru – he’s one of my work mates).
- River View
- Forest Track
We reached the highest point in the walk, Loch Coire nan Crogachan (one of the good things about starting this route from the campsite – get the hike upwards out of the way early), and I was cursing myself a little for carrying my walking boots in my rucksack and adding extra weight. (I was wearing my walking trainers but took the boots along just incase).
- Loch Coire nan Crogachan
We also passed the Suardalan bothy (well worth a look in and a scribble in the visitors’ book).
- Suardalan Bothy
The next part of our walk (Balvraid to Glenelg – 5 miles) takes you past the amazing Glenelg brochs. Top tip: expect to waste a lot of time here, for ooh-ing and aah-ing and photos-taking.
- Dun Troddan Broch
- Dun Telve Broch
- Wee Nibbler
Glenelg is not the half-way point, but it sure does feel like it when you spy a sign for a pub that is open and welcome for business on a Sunday
.
- A pub, ya dancer!
- Oi team, wait for me, mine's a half pint of shandy please!
As five of us sat admiring the view in the beer garden, our work mate Joe, who is an Englishman, sat with others in the bar to watch the match. We heard the cheers and laughter as Germany scored, and then again, cheers and laughter. Joe joined us in the beer garden, defeated
.
- Glenelg Inn Beer Garden View
- Found a tree swing at Glenelg Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
- Loch Alsh View 1
- Loch Alsh View 2
- Loch Alsh Roadside Onwards and Upwards
Part of the next stage of the walk (Glenelg to Totaig – 10 miles) is the Lochalsh Dirty 30 in all of its glory: it involves crossing a river (okay granted, we did cross at the widest point, but it was hot and we fancied a dip); and then a muddy trek through a forest
. (If you do the walk from the official start point, then you’ll reach this bit early on and probably be wearing muddy wet boots for the rest of the day – the fun of doing the actual Challenge I suppose
).
- River crossing
- Uh oh, if you go down to the woods tonight
At the other side of the river, I had the coolest and jammiest moment ever...
Whilst the others were busy emptying the water out of their boots, or putting them back on over their soaked through socks, I pulled a fresh pair of socks AND boots out of my rucksack and put them on
.
‘We haven’t seen an eagle yet, Janet.’ Bendy moaned for the umpteenth time.
‘Look, there’s a sea E-gull!’
Huh, he didn’t fall for my mock sightings either
.
We did eventually see a sea eagle flying over Loch Duich (and I won the bet
).
- Naw it isnae a sea E gull, it's a sea eagle!
- Loch Duich 1
The final stretch of our walk (Totaig to Shiel Bridge – 7 miles) was ouch (midge/cleg bites and blisters) but the views were still fantastic
. (By this time we had been walking for miles and miles alongside, or with views of, loch after loch).
- Loch Duich 2
- Dornie and Eliean Donan (where Loch Duich meets Loch Long)
The walk took us 15 hours in all (9am to midnight), although we are plodders, and it usually takes about 12 hours. I would definitely recommend this walk, just for the views alone
. You can do it over two days, and start anywhere on the route.