The Scottish National Trail - Camban bothy to Morvich

Distance: 9 miles, Ascent: 365m

So I never managed to get up at first light as planned, I slept in and missed the bus that I had intended to get, which would have connected with a second pre-booked bus from Inverness.

Plan C was initiated, I left the bothy around 8am and enjoyed a soggy descent through Gleann Lichd, finally reaching Morvich at about quarter to 12.  I didn't have too long to wait for the next bus to Inverness, hopping on at the Jac-o-bite restaurant at Ault a' Chruinn.

This concludes my walking adventures for 2017 and I aim to continue the trail from Morvich sometime in 2018.  I may even start from fort William and make a third attempt at completing the Cape Wrath Trail, as the Scottish National Trail basically follows the same route upon reaching Morvich. I'll continue my blogging in April 2018.

The Scottish National Trail - Loch Lochy to Garrygualach

Distance: 15 miles/8 hours

The journey continues as I leave Loch Lochy behind and head for the abandoned farmhouse at Garrygualach (no longer abandoned).  I walk approximately 16 miles, with 5 extra miles added due to the location of my overnight camp which was off the route.  I arrive at the farmhouse to find it under renovation and after a quick look in a private bothy, I find a small camping area by the river.

Thieves road (Fort William to Dalwhinnie) - Day 4

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 4 (5 September, 2017)

On the final day of the trip, after finding myself pitched up on a bed of heather at about 600 metres, I descend to the abandoned Culra bothy. I then pick up an easy path to Loch Ericht, where I follow another easy (but very long) track along the loch to my final destination, Dalwhinnie.

You can view all the photos from the trip here:

https://www.flickr.com/gp/156143109@N02/1wZ90x 

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

The Scottish National Trail - Aberfeldy to Pitlochry

Aberfeldy to Pitlochry - 9 miles/4 hours

After a moderately peaceful night camping by the River Tay and the B846, I leave Aberfeldy on the riverside path to follow the Rob Roy Way to Pitlochry where I finish this 6 day trip. 9.5 miles, easy day.

I already walked the next section between Pitlochry and Blair Atholl the previous year, in reverse order so decided to skip it this time round and start the next 6 day expedition from Blair Atholl.  However, just for a bit of fun I threw together a video of the section, walking in reverse motion from Pitlochry to Blair Atholl!

The Scottish National Trail - Glen Almond to Aberfeldy

Glen Almond to Aberfeldy - 20 miles/12 hours

I cover the next 20 miles between Glen Almond and Aberfeldy, joining back up with the Rob Roy Way (Amulree alternative) and passing Loch Freuchie.  I stop for Noodles at a random shooting hut before descending into Aberfeldy where I set up camp by the River Tay.

The Scottish National Trail - Callander to Comrie

Callander to Comrie - 16 miles/8 hours

On day 3, I cover the next 13 miles of the trail between Loch Venachar (near Callander) and Comrie.
I lose track of the official route at Auchinner farm and find myself following the minor road, on the wrong side of the river (Water of Ruchill) towards Comrie. Luckily I find a church and after a small prayer I am presented with an excellent camping spot by the Water Of Ruchill, a few miles short of Comrie.

The Scottish National Trail - Milngavie to Drymen

Milngavie to Drymen - 11 miles / 5 hours

The Scottish National Trail is a 536 mile/864 km-long long distance walking route running the length of Scotland from Kirk Yetholm to Cape Wrath.
The Trail offers very varied walking, following long-established footpaths for much of the distance but becoming progressively more difficult as it heads north, finishing with a tough stretch of backpacking - with some pathless and demanding terrain - on the final stretch of the Cape Wrath Trail.

In Summer 2017 I spent several weeks completing sections of the Scottish National Trail.
My original plan for 2017 was to backpack the whole of the trail but due to lack of funding I could only manage sections where wild camping was an option. I aim to complete the remaining sections, through the Scottish Borders and The North Highlands in Summer 2018.

I ventured out on three separate occasions and completed the route over the course of 15 days, as follows:

Trip 1 - Blair Atholl to Fort Augustus (6 days, 5 nights)
Trip 2 - Milngavie to Pitlochry (6 days, 5 nights)
(skipped Pitlochry to Blair Atholl because I made a video last year)
Trip 3 - Fort Augustus to Morvich (5 days, 5 nights)

Along the way I made a video diary/vblog which you can view here on my blog page.

Day 1

On the first day of the trail, I set off from Milngavie along the West Highland Way.  Upon reaching Drymen I stopped for supplies at the store before heading to a woodland area where I set up camp for the first night.

Southern Upland Way - Lauder to Watch Water Reservoir

The Southern Upland Way is Scotland's first and only official coast-to-coast long distance route, running across the country from the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea. From Portpatrick on the west coast the route runs 341 kilometres to Cove and Cockburnspath on the east coast.

Date walked: 11/05/2017
Time taken: 10 hours
Distance: 24.25 km
Ascent: 534m

I walk the next 15 miles from my wild camping spot near Lauder to the next wild camping spot overlooking Watch Water reservoir, a couple of miles before Longformacus. On the way I pass through Lauder and stop at the store for supplies.

Southern Upland Way - Wanlockhead to Moffat

The Southern Upland Way is Scotland's first and only official coast-to-coast long distance route, running across the country from the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea. From Portpatrick on the west coast the route runs 341 kilometres to Cove and Cockburnspath on the east coast.

Time taken: 13 hours
Distance: 31.25 km
Ascent: 1005m

I continue my hike on the Southern Upland Way, Sanquhar to Moffat, after a peaceful night camping by Wanlockwater.

I pass through the village of Wanlockhead and have to climb the Lowther Hill to a height of 725m.
But that is just the start of the adventure, as the next few hours consist of many ups and downs across the hills until you reach 1005m.  I'd hoped to visit the Shop/Cafe at Wanlockhead Visitor Centre on my way out but unfortunately it doesn't open until 12.

Once The hills were thankfully are out of the way, I made my way to Brattleburn Bothy where I set up camp outside.  The bothy was unfortunately occupied but it didn't stop me going inside for a quick chat and a Hot Chocolate before bedtime.

The next morning I traverse the last few miles towards Beattock, following the busy A road into Moffat where I was picked up by a friend.  The next section, Beattock to St Mary's Loch was completed in 2016, so I skipped this and got a ride up to St. Mary's Loch/Loch of the Lowes.

Southern Upland Way - Sanquhar to Wanlockhead

The Southern Upland Way is Scotland's first and only official coast-to-coast long distance route, running across the country from the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea. From Portpatrick on the west coast the route runs 341 kilometres to Cove and Cockburnspath on the east coast.

I return to Sanquhar in a mission to complete the remaining sections of the Southern Upland Way.

I leave Sanquhar on a sunny afternoon, heading East, my mission to complete the remaining sections of the Southern Upland Way and make it to Cocksburnpath on the East Coast of Scotland.

The path was easy going except for a few boggy patches and some awkward hills.
Due to lambing season I had to follow the diversion route at Cogshead which extended the walk by about one hour. I arrived at Wanlockwater just after 7pm where I pitched the tent for the night, before taking a short stroll into the village the next morning.

Southern Upland Way - Bargrennan to Dalry

The Southern Upland Way is Scotland's first and only official coast-to-coast long distance route, running across the country from the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea. From Portpatrick on the west coast the route runs 341 kilometres to Cove and Cockburnspath on the east coast.

Date walked: 19/04/2017
Distance: 39.75 km
Ascent: 658m

A 25 mile walk on the Southern Upland Way from Bargrennan to Dalry. 
In this first video I walk 10 miles to White Laggan bothy, passing through Glen Trool in the Galloway Forest Park.

In the second part of the video, I leave White Laggan bothy behind to follow the 15 mile path to Dalry.  I stop overnight at Clatteringshaws Loch before making my way into Dalry the following morning where a familiar face awaits.

The West Highland Way - Day 6

I completed the West Highland Way for the third time, during the first week in October 2016, backpacking, carrying all my gear, camping throughout.  It was the first time I've been camping in October but it was quite mild, infact the weather was great and it miraculously stayed dry for the whole week.

I planned to do things different this time by wild camping throughout most of the trip. 

Day 6 & 7
Kinlochleven to Fort William – 16 miles

On day 6, I walked 16 miles from Kinlochleven to Glen Nevis campsite on the outskirts of Fort William where I got refused table service at the Glen Nevis restaurant because they didn't like the look of me!

On the final day I continued into Fort William and completed the West Highland Way.

The West Highland Way - Day 5

I completed the West Highland Way for the third time, during the first week in October 2016, backpacking, carrying all my gear, camping throughout.  It was the first time I've been camping in October but it was quite mild, infact the weather was great and it miraculously stayed dry for the whole week.

I planned to do things different this time by wild camping throughout most of the trip. 

Day 5
Bridge of Orchy to Inveroran – 2 miles
Inveroran to Kingshouse 9.5 miles
Kingshouse to Kinlochleven – 8.5 miles

On the fifth day of my trip, I walked 21 miles from Bridge of Orchy to Kinlochleven, passing through Inveroran and Glencoe. I stopped at Kingshouse Hotel for a Muffin break before ascending the Devils Staircase. I camped at Blackwater Hostel & Campsite in Kinlochleven.

The West Highland Way - Day 2

I completed the West Highland Way for the third time, during the first week in October 2016, backpacking, carrying all my gear, camping throughout.  It was the first time I've been camping in October but it was quite mild, infact the weather was great and it miraculously stayed dry for the whole week.

I planned to do things different this time by wild camping throughout most of the trip.

Day 2

Drymen to Rowardennan (14 miles)
Rowardennan to Loch Lomond (4 miles)

On the second day of my trip, I covered approximately 16 miles between Drymen and Loch Lomond. I pass through Balmaha and Rowardennan and find a camping spot by the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

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.