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Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children West Highland Way 19 - 24 September 2009
The sun was shining over Milngavie on Saturday morning when seven walkers assembled outside the railway station ready to tackle the 95 mile West Highland Way to Fort William in the heart of the Scottish Highlands on behalf of the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children.
Whilst there were a few light showers along the way to Garadhban (14 miles), the group’s finishing point on Day 1 which lies just above Drymen, conditions were ideal for walking , spirits were high and by the time the group finished the rain had gone and the sun was shining yet again.
Tomorrow (Sunday) the group tackle another 14 mile stretch from Garadhban to Rowardennan on the east side of Loch Lomond. The route can only be described as undulating as they follow the contours of the loch with some short sharp ascents and descents which will be both challenging and satisfying knowing that each step taken will be raising valuable funds for the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children.
The group were blessed with a fine day as they started day 2 of the walk with only a minor shower or two as they first of all made their way from Garadhban towards Conic Hill before making their descent to Balmaha for lunch. In the afternoon the group maintained a good pace as they made their way up the first part of Loch Lomond side towards Rowardennan. The group completed the day and were back in their accommodation in record time for a well earned rest before dinner.
Day three of the walk saw the group tackle the 14 mile section from Rowardennan to Inverarnan at the top end of Loch Lomond. The weather was rather wet with some heavy showers throughout the day but the group successfully completed the section finishing with a well earned drink at the Drovers Inn at Inverarnan.
The Drovers Inn is an old inn established in 1702 which was used by the Highland drovers who used to drive their cattle down the side of Loch Lomond to the markets. The decor and furniture, in deference to the past, look as though they have not been changed or altered for a couple of hundred years and is a must see for all walkers making their way along the West Highland Way.
Having spent the last two nights at the Oak Tree Inn in Balmaha the group now move accommodation to the Benmore Lodge in Crianlarich where they will be staying for the next two nights.
Day four of the walk is the start of two long days for the group. This 20 mile section of the West Highland Way takes the group away from the banks of Loch Lomond starting in Inverarnan around the back of Crianlarich and on to Tyndrum (13 miles) where they have lunch before tackling the final stretch to Bridge of Orchy (7 miles). The weather was mixed with the odd shower however the group successfully completed the section by 5.30pm before boarding the minibus for the journey back to the Benmore Lodge in Crianlarich.
With over half way now completed the group are in fine form and spirits are high despite the odd blister and the inevitable aches and pains.
Day 5 is was the second of two long days for the group covering 21 miles in total from Bridge of Orchy to Kinlochleven. Sadly the weather was unkind with persistent heavy rain throughout the day. It’s was a long hard day as the group made their way passed Inveroran, across Rannoch Mooor to the Kingshouse Hotel in Glencoe (12 miles) before making their way through the glen, scaling the Devil’s Staircase and finishing the day with the long descent into Kinlochleven (21 miles).
Tomorrow is the group’s final day with only 14 miles left to go before reaching their final destination, Fort William.
