Saturday 25 May 2013

Milko's update - days 11, 12, 13 - onto The West Highland Way

Thursday 23rd May.

Fort Augustus to Corpach - 30.25 miles.

A long slog, but flat all the way, so quite achievable. Most was alongside The Caledonian Canal, plus Loch Oich and Loch Lochy.
 Three Bridges bnb Fort                                                         Augustus.                                                                   Mansefield guest house, Corpach.
 The Caledonian Canal, Fort Augustus.                                  
                                                                                                Caledonian Canal, a working canal.

The top picture shows our bnb at Fort Augustus. A very comfortable overnight stop, with a warm welcome from Shirley and Laura, and Dug the dog!

We needed an early start for the long plod to Corpach (Fort William) so lovely Laura kindly knocked up some packed lunches and tea and toast to have at 6.45 before we left, thanks Laura!

We left at 7.20 a.m, and a good day's plodding saw us get to Corpach 11 hours later.

Another fine character in another fine guest house was Aussie Toby Richardson at Mansfield house in Corpach. A nice welcome, good room, and cracking good breakfast - as usual - saw us leave Corpach to complete the last two miles of The Great Glen Way and begin The West Highland Way mid morning.

Leaving fort William at 12 noon, we climbed the steep hill to start the 15 mile trek to Kinlochleven.The first 6 miles were steep and arduous, but once up high the walk became very pleasant in the early summer sunshine. A very easily followed path through two lovely ranges led to the picturesque village of Kinlochleven. And well woth the walk it was!

 Eden Coille guest house.                                                            Kinlochleven.

 River Leven.                                                                            The Tailrace Inn.

We stayed in Eden Coille, a fantastic guest house run by Elsie and Drew Robertson. They are wonderful hosts and their attention to detail is fantastic - highly recommended!!

The Tailrace Inn, just overlooking the River Leven is also fantastic - great food, great service, great ale! Perfect.

We left Kinlochleven at 10 a.m. this morning, Saturday 25th May, for the tough climbing plod to Kings House Hotel in Glen Coe...


Connection going, battery dead... to be continued.....

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