Day 91 - Invermoriston to Drumnadrochit - 15.6 miles

If you're going to walk one stretch of the Great Glen Way, apparently this is the one they recommend!!

As yesterday, there was an option of routes with the higher promising longer views of Loch Ness and distant mountains.
I thought I'd ring the changes from the start  with a breakfast of porridge followed by Scottish pancakes with yoghurt, maple syrup and compote. Well if that wouldn't power me up on to the High route, what would??
The initial climb out of Invermoriston was long and steep eventually arriving at the decision point in the forest. "In for a penny in for a poond", I climbed up through the forest on the High route with the path winding ever higher. It was easy to become disorientated but I eventually arrived at the top margin of the forest where it meet a deer fence and the start of the moor.
For the first time for what seems like weeks, the clouds were higher and I could see the cool blue of the Mamore Mountains and the summit of Ben Nevis way behind me to the South West.
A circular sculpture invited some good pictures.
At one of the spectacular viewing points, I met up with Steven and Marie who are walking the Great Glen Way.
They'd met at a campsite a few evenings ago and had been walking together since. Originally from Belgium, Marie lectures in Sociology in Sweden and specialises in disability rights. Steven was in hospitality but has just secured in place at Glasgow for a three degree course to study as a paramedic. 
There was supposed to a cafe just off the trail at about mile 7 but I didn't find it so for the last 5 miles, out of the forest and in to the sunshine,
it was getting pretty warm and walking on tarmac, my feet were getting tired. 
Even the horses said it was hot!

There was a long descent
through a beautifully atmospheric pine forest which eventually led down to a rather straggly town. 

Drumnadrochit hangs on a business plan which depends on thousands coming in search of 'Nessie'!!! 
Guess which hotel I've booked!

Over supper of Cullen Skink,  I met Tom and Michael from Berne, Switzerland.
They'd been walking from Fort William but we'd not had a chance for a chat previously. We decided ( it didn't take much) that a whisky tasting was in order.  Michael is HR chief for a transportation company in Berne and Tom is moving to a new role within SBB, Swiss railways and will be heading up a team of 50 IT staff. Previously he was coach advising the Swiss Olympic team and their various sport federations.

With Swiss efficiency, Tom had been keeping notes of those he'd tried previously giving each a subjective score. Tonight it was going to be Balvenie, Macallan and Glenfiddich and a Whyte and Mackay blended thrown in for devilment
Initially, we unanimously curled our lip at the W&M but by the end, we had to agree that improved with a little water, it deserved an embarrasingly good score on Tom's electronic scoreboard.
 
A very pleasant evening.


Total distance walked so far = 1124.5 miles
Total ascent so far = 129 633 feet

If you'd like to leave a comment, correct me on any detail or just nudge, it'd be great to hear from you. If initially it comes up as Anonymous, please just add your name at the bottom so I can see who it's from.

email: david.LL.thomas@gmail.com
mob: 07850109100

If you'd like to contribute to any or all of the three great charities I'm supporting, here are the relevant links.

- Parkinsons UK   - My dad had Parkinsons in his latter years and the research work this charity funds and the support it provides to patients and their families is invaluable. - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-thomas215


- Just Wheels UK  - this is a small charity set up to provide wheelchairs in a rural community in Tanzania. It does this through funding training, education and the local fabrication and servicing of bespoke wheelchairs. My nephew uses a wheelchair and as he grows I can see the life changing freedoms that proper wheelchairs can bring to both users and their families.- 

- RNLI   - these are the brave guys who selflessly head out to sea to help others. I volunteer at Littlehampton RNLI shop and often meet families of those who’ve had first hand experience of their loved ones being saved from the sea. Having sailed for years I can say thankfully we’ve never had to call on the RNLI's services but it’s amazing what it does to know they are there 

https://www.justgiving.com/

Comments

  1. Tom10 July 2022 at 10:31

    Dear David, thanks a lot for this lovely evening and your recommendation for the whiskey tasting! It was a pleasure meeting you 🌺
    enjoy your walk! It’s just inspiring.
    warmest, Tom and Michael

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14 July 2022 at 12:36

      Hi Tom. It was really good fun. I'm already looking forward to the return match - Queensbury Rules - Schnapps and Grappa!!

      Delete
  2. Anonymous12 July 2022 at 00:19

    So close now. Have enjoyed your daily blog. Enjoy the rest of yr journey. Kakai

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14 July 2022 at 12:13

      Thanks Kakai, this walk has your name all over it. You'd love it!

      Delete
  3. Anonymous15 July 2022 at 03:52

    It was a beautiful walk indeed. Thank you for the picture! Enjoy the rest of your walk. Warm wishes, Marie

    ReplyDelete

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