Two Pensioners and a Poodle.22nd of Jan 2020.Weather sunny periods but clouding over towards the end and warm, 12 deg C on the car thermometer.
This walk is much more popular than the walks we usually go on, with mixed Bicycle, walking and jogging traffic, not to mention dogs.
Good car park which I suspect would be busy in the Summer. All the facilities were closed for the winter except the all categories toilet ( a notice said to use this one) which was heated. The car park charge was £1:50 each except the booth was closed.
The main path around Loch an Eilein was wide well paved and very well maintained, an easy walk for two old folk one of which collects his repeat prescriptions in a carrier bag (me). Obviously well looked after with trees trimmed back and a brand new bridge at the South end of Loch an Eilein.
Excellent views across the Loch with wonderful Scots Pine trees which must be very old.
We decide to take the Loch Gamhna path which is signed as "not maintained". This path is single file and crossed by many tree roots, not recommended for buggies. At the southern end of the Loch it was well boggy for about 100 m, as it says in the notes, where a small stream joins the Loch from the surrounding hills. Some Tussock Jumping was required, but we both crossed with reasonably dry boots. There was one more bit of boggy going on the west side of Loch Gamhna where another small stream crossed the path, more Tussock Jumping was required.I suspect that both these streams are pretty seasonal.
Back onto the main Loch Eilein path with views across the Loch to the castle. This section appears to be more used than the rest of the path.
Excellent views of the Castle on the last section.
We met three lots of bikes, two Joggers and about eight walkers, so not too busy. The car park charge did not seem excessive considering the amount of work that had been done.
A good walk for two old folk and a dog, needing a leg stretch in the middle of winter,