Wednesday 29 May 2013

A sad farewell to the highlands and Loch Lomond.

Wednesday 29th May 2013.

Having spent a good few days, and walked many miles alongside some beautiful Lochs and beside some majestic mountains, we are now nearing the end of The West Highland Way. The mileage we have done is now around 280, with something like another 100 miles before we reach the border with England. It will be a sad farewell to Scotland when it comes, but that's not quite yet. For now, it is farewell to some of the most beautiful country one could see. The North East coast of Scotland is way behind us now, as are the beautiful paths alongside Loch Ness. We have completed The Great Glen Way, and very nearly completed The West Highland Way too.

Today we did the moderate 14 mile walk from Rowardennan to Drymen.

We left Coille Mhor - our lovely guest house stop for last night - at 9.15 this morning,
 
and began a very pleasant woodland walk to Balmaha.
 
Fiona and Neil Macmillan were our hosts at Coille Mhor, and very good they were too!
 
A lovely welcome was given to us by Fiona, and their guest house is really rather lovely. All modern amenities, but with a charm and homely feel. Neil, also, was a good host, with the two of them sharing duties. He also gave us a lift to the pub, which was rather nice! Coille Mhor I would very much recommend!
 
So, to the walk. 7 miles nice walking through lovely bluebell woods alongside Loch Lomond, until we reached the marvellous little village of Balmaha.

After a pretty easy 7 miles to Balmaha, then follows a lovely but quite challenging walk up Conic Hill. Standing at only 1175 feet, you may not think it is going to be too much, but the climb up from Balmaha is pretty steep, but very worth it, as the views over Loch Lomond are fantastic; I only hope the two pictures here do those views some justice.
The climb down is lovely, then follows a fairly easy 5 more miles to the pleasant little village of Drymen. We duly arrived at Glen Alva at around 4.30 pm.


 
The other two pictures are of Conic Hill as we came down it, and one last look back at Loch Lomond as we plodded towards the forest, and away from the beautiful Loch and the highlands.
 
Glen Alva is another lovely guesthouse that I will recommend already. A lovely welcome from Alison Fraser, into her very comfortable guesthouse, with everything the weary walker might need.
 
The West Highland Way has been a wonderful experience - one day to go - and will remain a lasting memory.
 
Alec Hawkes - plodding through Britain with Lizzie tagging along.
 
Milko Goes Walkabout 29.05.13

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