Thieves road (Fort William to Dalwhinnie) - Day 3

A 44 mile hike from Fort William in the Highlands to Dalwhinnie in the Cairngorms.

Time taken: 4 days
Distance: 70 km
Ascent: 500m

Day 3 (4 September, 2017)

On day 3, I leave Meanach bothy in my damp clothes and head for the abandoned Culra bothy where I had planned to wild camp. For anyone who doesn't know, Culra bothy was closed for asbestos issues. The path out of Meanach is extremely boggy but improves as Loch Treig is approached. I pass by Stoineag bothy, Loch Treig, Corrour Station and Loch Ossian. It was a very long day and I didn't make it to my destination. I spent the final hour walking in the dark with my headtorch eventually having to wild camp on top of some heather, a couple miles short of Culra bothy.

Thieves road (Fort William to Dalwhinnie) - Day 2

A 44 mile hike from Fort William in the Highlands to Dalwhinnie in the Cairngorms.

Date walked: 02/09/2017
Time taken: 4 days
Distance: 70 km
Ascent: 500m

Day 2 (3 September, 2017)

On day 2, I climb the Nevis Gorge and pass Steall Falls to follow the faint (and very boggy) path to Meanach bothy. To my dismay the heavens soon open up and it's not long before I am returned to my Amphibian roots. Due to the heavy rain I had to put away the camera until I eventually got to the bothy. For anyone wishing to try this route you will almost certainly need to take a map if you don't want to get lost! You've been warned!!

Thieves road (Fort William to Dalwhinnie) - Day 1

A 44 mile hike from Fort William in the Highlands to Dalwhinnie in the Cairngorms.

Date walked: 02/09/2017
Time taken: 4 days
Distance: 70 km
Ascent: 500m

Day 1 (2 September, 2017)

I begin my 44 mile hike from Fort William after arrival by train late afternoon (and after a quick visit to Morrisons for supples).
I pick up the path of the West Highland Way and begin walking out towards Glen Nevis where I find a reasonable camping spot close to the lower falls.

You can view all the photos from the trip here:
https://www.flickr.com/gp/156143109@N02/1wZ90x

Ben Nevis on a clear day

Date walked: 08/10/2016
Time taken: 6 hours
Distance: 17 km
Ascent: 1352m

I spent 6 days completing the West Highland Way. On the seventh day, I ascended Ben Nevis.  It took me 6 hours in total from Glen Nevis campsite, following the mountain path route described on Walkhighlands website.

The weather had miraculously been great all week, perfect conditions for going up Ben Nevis for some clear views at the top. Much better than my previous visit in 2011 when it rained most of the way up and there was zero visibility at the top.

I spent the last hour and a half descending in darkness, good job I took the head torch! 
It felt cool to be one of the torches coming down the hill instead of just the usual spectator watching from the Glen.

Braemar to Inverness long distance hike - Day 6

An epic 113 mile cross country walk from Braemar to Inverness. 6 days walking, 5 days camping.
I plotted a route out on Google Earth which included some of my favourite places to visit in the Cairngorms.

In the final episode, I take the bus to Drumnadrochit and continue walking on the Great Glen Way to the Eco-Campsite where I spend my final night. I have a campfire and enjoy a well earned drink before walking the last 10 miles to Inverness the following morning, where I bump into a familiar face. Who could it be?

Braemar to Inverness long distance hike - Day 5

An epic 113 mile cross country walk from Braemar to Inverness. 6 days walking, 5 days camping.
I plotted a route out on Google Earth which included some of my favourite places to visit in the Cairngorms.

 On day 5, I have a walk down to Loch Ness in search of Nessy before joining the Great Glen Way and taking the high road to Drumnadrochit. There's a slight twist to the story watch to find out!

Braemar to Inverness long distance hike - Day 4

An epic 113 mile cross country walk from Braemar to Inverness. 6 days walking, 5 days camping.
I plotted a route out on Google Earth which included some of my favourite places to visit in the Cairngorms.

 On day 4, I walk approximately 22 miles from River Spey near Laggan all the way to Fort Augustus on the Corrieyairack Pass. I visit two bothies en-route and find a time-machine. I camp at Cumberlands Campsite, Fort Augustus where I enjoy a Friday night Pint.

Braemar to Inverness long distance hike - Day 3

An epic 113 mile cross country walk from Braemar to Inverness. 6 days walking, 5 days camping.
I plotted a route out on Google Earth which included some of my favourite places to visit in the Cairngorms.

On day 3, I walk approximately 16 miles from Tromie Meadow near Kingussie to Laggan via Glen Banchor, passing through Kingussie and Newtonmore and visit Ruthven Barracks. I stop for Tea at Dalnashallag bothy and wild camp by the River Spey, near Spey Dam.

Loch Ness 360

A 79 mile (approx) walk around Loch Ness
starting from, and finishing at Inverness Castle.
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After an un-satisfying 7 day trek of the Rob Roy Way, a wet and wearisome experience, another short hike was required to lift the spirits.

Initially I was considering the Trail of 7 Lochs, a 50 mile long distance route which runs in a circuit between South Loch Ness and the East Highlands.

I soon stumbled upon a webpage documenting the Loch Ness 360 trail, a 79 mile (approx) walk around Loch Ness starting from, and finishing at Inverness Castle.

As I had previously done the Great Glen Way and parts of the South Loch Ness Trail, I already knew most of the route and the hike would be easy to follow.