Final day

We set off in glorious sunshine from Sandy and Yvonne's home having enjoyed their wonderful hospitality. The walk today took our breath away (not because of walking up steep hillsides) but because of the sheer Beaty of walking through the glens with majestic mountains on either side. Truly the song 'to the hills I lift my eyes' sprang to mind. The sun continued to shine throughout today and as we talked to fellow walkers the time passed by quickly and in no time (actually 5 hours from our 8.30 set off) we found ourselves in Fort William. Overall a spectacular week, amassing 37 hours of walking, 1000s of feet climbed, new friends and knowing a heck of a lot more about each other. (including new Scottish words and phrases)

Thursday 26th

Today was a windy and blustery day. We walked 12 miles and we're blown across the Rannoch moor. It stayed mainly dry. Some feelings of being at one with God's own creation, unspoiled and quite barren and bleak. We passed a number of walkers who had set off earlier and are convinced that we do 'pace it out' when we walk. Whilst Rannoch moor is relatively flat we were surprised to find that we walked to 1100ft passing a monument in memory of Peter Fleming (brother of 007 creator Ian Fleming) who died whilst deer stalking, leaving and not returning due to being caught in a storm on the moor. We arrived 4 hours from setting off at Kingshouse Hotel. After a soup and cup of tea, we set off on the afternoon jaunt of 9 miles through to Kinlochleven. Iain knew this was going to be tough, and Jim now appreciates that this was a tough afternoon of 4 hours walking. The views half way up the devil's staircase of buachaille eteive mohr and the other munros (mountains over 3000 feet) at the entrance to Glencoe were absolutely magnificent. We arrived at Sandy and Yvonne's home at 4.45pm and after a well needed shower enjoyed a 3 course meal. One more day to go of 15 miles which will see us passing Ben Nevis (which Jim and I climbed a couple of years ago at the start of the 3 peaks challenge) before arriving at Fort WIlliam which is the end of the West Highland Way.

Wednesday 25th

Well we arrived at Bridge of Orchy Hotel at 4.30pm somewhat drenched as the third leg of today (Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy) proved to be windy and drizzly or right dreich day. Not to worry we were suitably kitted out and the bunkhouse has a drying room. We walked passed the majestic towering Munro of Ben Dorainn, we walked through the forests of Tyndrum singing 'When through the Forrest glades I wander ...' We passed Dal Righ the battlefield where Robert the Bruce was defeated by the MacDougals in 1306. And we saw some quaint railway stations in this highland part of Scotland. Today we also made some conversation with other walkers who tonight are also 'biding' at the bunkhouse. After a restful night, tomorrow will see us walk across the Rannoch Moor and up the Devil's staircase and into Kinlochleven where Sandy and Yvonne will be hosting us for a final night. It will be a tiring day but with our legs and feet bearing the strain and pounding of 60miles, we will enjoy the bleakness of the moor.

Tuesday 24th

Somehow I seem to have deleted what I have already entered for today so I will try again. Today's leg was 15 miles, a lot less than yesterday's 27 miles but a lot tougher in terms of the terrain that we were Traversing. A scare at the seven mile point when Iain thought that he had a damaged hamstring but we managed to sort it out on arrival at the Inversnaid Hotel. Another day of walking in good wether conditions except for the last 15 minutes when it started to rain. Tomorrow we head from Beinglas Farm to Bridge of Orchy, a much longer stretch than today but it should not be so undulating.

Monday 23rd

We have finished day 1 of the walk! 27 miles now under our belt. 7 miles longer than we had originally planned but The weather was very good and we had made such good time to Drymed th we do Existed to push on to Rowardennan. The last 3 miles were pretty tough as we very getting somewhat weary but it does mean a much easier walk for day 2. We intend to walk from Rowardennan to Bein Glass farm which is past the top of Loch Lomond and a lot closer to Ardlui. Although we are rather weary, we appear to be free of blisters.

Sunday 22nd, en-route Glasgow

First part of journey complete. Although we were 15 minutes late leaving from Reading, we arrived Wolverhampton on time and are now sitting on the train to Glasgow awaiting departurein 5 minutes time. We expect to arrive Lasgow Central at 19.16hrs where we will be met by Russell.No worthwhile views for any pictures as yet.

3 days and counting

3 days to go and the packing of boots, walking poles, clothing, snacks and plenty of foot plasters are being assembled. We leave on the train for Glasgow on Sunday afternoon and will spend the evening with our friends Russell and Mary Chalmers in their home in Glasgow. We anticipate showers for Monday and Tuesday with the weather picking up on Wednesday. If you want to support our efforts to raise money for the Reading Central building fund our just giving site is http://www.justgiving.com/IainandJim

Best Laid Plans

Countdown - 6 days to go
Iain and Jim Cassidy are making the final preparations for their 5 day, 95 mile walk through Scotland's most stunning scenery.
The plan would be to accomplish this in 5 days walking. Part of the way friends in Glasgow (Russell and Mary Chalmers) and Kinlochleven (Sandy) will look after us overnight. Our aim is to raise some funds for our Salvation Army Corps building in Reading.

We plan posting photos of our experiences en route from Glasgow to Fort William. Our timetable will be as follows: -
Sunday 22nd - catch train from Reading to Glasgow and stay with friends in Glasgow overnight
Monday 23rd - walk 18 miles from Milngavie (north of Glasgow) to Balmaha
Tuesday 24th - walk 21 miles from Balmaha (bottom of Loch Lomond) to Inverarnan
Wednesday 25th - walk 20 miles from Inverarnan (top of Loch Lomond) to Bridge of Orchy
Thursday 26th - walk 21 miles from Bridge of Orchy to Kinlochleven
Friday 27th - walk 15 miles from Kinlochleven to Fort William
Saturday 28th - catch train from Glasgow to Reading