Woodend Wanderer

September 5th 2023 rapidly approaches. So what you may ask. Well do read on…..

The West Highland Way is a footpath running from Milngavie (pronounced Mullguy) near Glasgow to Fort William in the Western Highlands of Scotland. At 96 miles or 154Kms from end to end it leaves the suburbs of Glasgow, runs up the eastern side of Loch Lomond taking in the magnificent views of the loch and surrounding hills, crosses the heather covered and bleak Rannoch moor, skirts around the towering peak of Ben Nevis the highest mountain in the UK before ending in Fort William.

If you have made it this far you will have gathered that Debbie and I will walk the walk. This bit is the talk the talk. This will not be the first time Debbie and I will have attempted the walk. In fact not even the second or indeed third for me. There is history here. The type that gnaws and chews at your very soul.

We first attempted it right after we got married in July of 1987. It was our honeymoon. I know. Should have gone to Majorca. We still have the original guidebook. That attempt was thwarted when we had a wholly inadequate tent which let in the dreaded Scottish Midge. This is no ordinary beast. Oh no. This minute flying insect is prone to suck the juices out of any bare flesh it can land on especially that attached to tourists and has a bite that itches like hell. For days. And nights. They decided to feast on my face as I slept in the aforementioned tent with the bright sign saying “midges welcome to Marks diner” on it. The next morning, I could hardly see such was the swelling from the bites of the little Bas****s. We abandoned the attempt at Balmaha on the southern shore of Loch Lomond. My father and my uncle came and picked us up in the car. They tittered and sniggered at the look of me. My visage resembled a chewed toffee. My pride was severely dented. I needed a week of antihistamine cream smeared on my face to get back some functionality in the sensory organs contained on it. I never forgot that.

The second attempt saw Debbie and I make it to Crianlarich at the Northern tip of Loch Lomond. That was after about 5 days walking. Debbie had suffered a back injury some time before we made attempt 2 but it returned to cause her too much pain and after some tears it was decided that it was best we abandon the attempt to recover and fight another day.

Attempt 3 was just myself and a friend of mine. We got as far as Tyndrum which is about 6 days in. This time I had to call off whilst my friend continued on and completed the walk himself. My boots caused me so much pain that I had to stop and return home. Then our family started and the West Highland Way was put on the back burner. To simmer and taunt from North of the border.

In 2014 Debbie and I walked the Camino from France to Santiago de Compostela in NW Spain. That was 42 days walking and around 850 kms. We learned so much about our fitness, clothing, feet and mental fortitude.

The West Highland Way is next. The old walking kit has been dug out of the loft, boxes, garage and every other nook and cranny it was found in. Dust was blown off. Cobwebs were removed along with their long deceased spinners. We will not be camping as we did some 35 years ago. Age, grown up family and a bit of cash in the pocket means we can take our time and afford a modicum of comfort. Nonetheless the walk still taunts us. Can we defeat it? What will happen this time? The body is not as young as it was…..

If you fancy, then come along for the ride…..well walk. You will get the day by day low down warts and all. As always I love to read your comments. That way I know that somebody reads this stuff other than me. 😁