Woodend Wanderer

I have really impressed by all the places we have stayed at. maybe the Buchanan Arms in Drymen was a wee bit tired and inside was far too hot but overall the places we have stayed at have been very good.

So it was with the Craigbank Guesthouse in Crianlarich run by Veronica and Colin. Lovely warm couple. Spotless room, super comfy bed and a lovely breakfast set us up for the walk to Bridge Of Orchy 13 miles away. 

It had rained overnight and so we set off on a damp morning with a bit of a chill in the air. Autumn is here in the Highlands.

We retraced our steps to the old military road and got to the hallway point at Tyndrum fairly easily. We were on time. 

The old military road is really hard underfoot and is quite punishing on tired feet. The cobbles have broken up in places to make matters worse. But the rain stayed away.

The scenery here is of mountains and high peaks covered in heather and scrub grasses. Trees are around but tended to be in forest plantations. There is not much left of the ancient Caledonian forest that once covered these parts. The peaks of Beinn Dorain and Beann An Dòthaidh dominate the skyline. The Way skirts along their feet into Bridge of Orchy. Numerous streams run down from the peaks. We cross them. They gurgle beneath our feet as they race down to join the River Orchy.

It is not hard to imagine the horses and carts and soldiers of the English Army marching along these roads. They have not changed since they were built. They are constructed with big stones first then smaller stones with a topping of gravel all packed down to form a hard road bed. The majority have stood the test of time.

The driver of a freight train running the opposite way to us poked his arm out of his cab window and gave us a wave. We waved back to him.

The hotel is a whitewashed building and comes into sight as we crest the last hill and a welcome sight it is as the light fades and dark clouds move in.