Exploring the British Isles

Finishing the Great Glen Way

2012-02-01T19:13:00.000Z

Two years ago I vowed to complete the Great Glen Way by the end of 2010. Well, just over a year late I have finally finished it. Why did it take so long? I hear you ask, well, basically poor weather, and buying a house in need of a bit of work got in the way, but the biggest reason, and a completely insane one, was that on my last day on the GGW I came off my bike, and was within an inch of losing an eye. I still have the scars, and it just put me off going back to finish.

Anyway, the day started well. I drove up the hill out of Drumnadrochit, and dumped my bike at the top. Then I drove back down to park, before walking up the hill (it is very, very steep!) After picking up my bike, I cycled south along the quiet road to the end, which I had already reached from Invermoriston (and fallen off on the way back). I then returned to Drum, ending up pushing my bike down the hill as I could smell the brakes... After linking up with the car park in Drum, I drove up to Abriachan for the final stint, and here I cheated.

I followed the GGW north towards Inverness, but as it forked off the road into the forest, I stayed on the road down the hill a little way, before again dumping my bike and finding my own way down through the forest to Dochfur, and the canal which I had used to cycle into Inverness last autumn. Yes, I know that this means I have several miles of GGW still to walk, but I have connected The Fort to Inverness, which is what the GGW does after all!

Tay & Tummel

2012-02-01T19:07:00.000Z

I've just discovered that I made a post nearly 18 months ago with the same heading. Well, last Thursday I linked up with that days walk around Killiecrankie, by walking from Grandtully in Strathtay across the hills to Pitlochry and then north up the Tummel to Garry Bridge. It was a very pleasant walk, shockingly 15 miles when I measured it, marred only by the mist on the way out and the snow on the way back! I hadn't really planned to walk as far as Garry Bridge, but when I got to Loch Faskally it seems such a nice spot that it seemed a shame to turn back without exploring a bit more!

Nairn to Inverness by bike. (or maybe not)

2012-01-17T20:20:00.000Z

Today was another failure, of sorts. The town of Nairn lies about 16 miles east of the Highland Capital, and theres a cycle route connecting the two, so at first glance this was an easy day of cycling. However, before I even left home I knew that things would not be straightforward. The biggest problem is that the cycle route undulates a bit. I say a bit, I mean a lot. In order to avoid the main road, it takes a circuitous hilly route, and my legs don't like hills at the best of times. Easy then, take the A96... But that is just suicide. So I had a choice of death by Juggernaut or death by over exertion. Not good.

Looking at the map, I reckoned that there was a middle way, taking in some B roads that were less up and down. However, the big hill still needed to be climbed, and once I had reached the top of it, at the Culloden Battlefield, I knew that I had to turn back, freewheel down the hill and take to the coast road through Ardersier.

All in all, today was not an amazing day, the weather was sporadically dreary, the landscape underwhelming apart from a couple of stunning views of the Moray Firth, and the cycling a tad tedious, but at least I know now, and it's all good exercise to build my stamina up again, get me fit for climbing mountains and cycling 45 miles a day instead of a measly 32!

Strath Orchy

2012-01-17T20:14:00.000Z

Yesterday I set off to do some cycling around Glen Orchy and Dalmally. However, the one thing that hadn't occurred to me when I checked the forecast was that the -2 meant it would be frosty and icy. Hence, as the car slithered down the glen I decided to change the plan, and walk at least part of the route instead. I'm rather glad that I did though, as the track along the west side of the River Orchy really wasn't fit for cycling, what with the gates tied up with string, the rickety bridges, muddy potholes and so on.
I walked from a little picnic site where there's a footbridge, down the west bank of the river all the way into Dalmally, and then back along the road. The A85 isn't really the best route for a walker, but it was only for a mile, and there was a wide verge most of the way!

With an hour or so before dusk, I then drove down to Dalmally and cycled the old B road through Stronmilchan and down into Lochawe village, so despite the last minute change of plan, I actually managed to do over half of what I had set out to do!

Kelvin Way

2012-01-12T08:12:00.000Z

Yesterday I walked most of the Kelvin Way from Milngavie down to the Forth and Clyde Canal. It was an interesting experience, and not at all what I expected. Disappointing is the word I would use...

The first section through Milngavie was nice enough - I made a slight detour to link up with the West Highland Way in Mugdock Country Park, but once out of the town, and walking along the Allander Water, the rot set in. Whether it was the recent storms, or whether it is always like it I don't know, but the little streams banks were clogged with litter. A recycling company could make a fortune by clearing it away. After a mile or so, I found the path hemmed in between the stream and a large, steep bank. At first glance I thought it was natural, but then the bank suddenly ended, in a tangle of broken concrete. Looking across the bleak windswept field, there were more banks stretching off into the distance, and these were split open to reveal a core of demolished building rubble. Not exactly an appealing sight.

The Kelvin itself was no better, still strewn with tons of litter, and I was glad to finally reach civilisation on the edge of Glasgow, even if it did look a bit rough in places. I worked my way on, sticking to the Kelvin Way which was now paved, rather than just a muddy trail where every step could result in my foot disappearing into the mud, and finally reached the canal at Maryhill. From there I detoured down to Anniesland Cross, before following city streets back up via Bearsden to the car.

Land Rover

2012-01-12T08:05:00.000Z

I spent quite a lot of time on Tuesday working on the old Land Rover again. Yes, it is finally in Scotland, with an MOT and so on, even if its not in the best of health! To find out how it got here, see malpas-chronicles.blogspot.com, it's quite a story!

Anyway, I managed to fix the headlamp and the rear indicator that were dead. I've also found the wiper motor, and concluded that it needs replacing. This is an important feature on any vehicle in the west Highlands - without it the chances of crashing increase to certainty! There is also a fault with the Auxillary Fan. The fuse had blown, well sort of melted really, and I've only just got some new ones to see if they are the main problem, or if its more serious.

I've also picked up some clever straight to rust Hammerite to try and protect the old beast!

Hello Again!

2012-01-08T17:41:00.000Z

I'm back!
Sorry it's been so long, but I've been renovating my new house. I had to strip the interior - back to the bricks in places - so it took a bit of time. That's not to say I didn't get out at all in 2011, but I didn't really have any spare time to update the blog.

Anyway, it's the start of a new year, so I thought it was a good time to get back on the blog. I'm working on a new look for my website, so I haven't uploaded anything there. However, I have already been out this year, and you can visit Sabre to see what I was up to: http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=Fort_Augustus_to_Glen_Moriston_Road

That's about it for now. I'm hoping to get out again this coming week, weather permitting, so hopefully there'll be more to tell then.

So Where have I been?

2010-10-29T18:02:00.000+01:00

I'm getting bad at updating this too aren't I? Well, where have I been lately?
Back on Sunday I cycled from Laggan to Dalwhinnie, then up to Kingussie before heading back to Laggan. Then on Wednesday I had to go up to Elgin for a training day with work, and today I've been to Oban in the pouring rain. Nothing really exciting.

Inveruglas

2010-10-20T12:04:00.000+01:00

Recently a new medium distance path was launched - the Three Lochs Way which zigzags between Loch Lomond and the Gareloch / Loch Long. It sort of links the start of the Cowal Way with the West Lomond cycle track and so the West Highland Way.
Yesterday I headed south down Loch Lomond to Inveruglas and set off on the northernmost section of the new route, through Glen Loin to Arrochar. From there it crosses to Tarbet, and back to Arrochar (you can bypass this bit if you want), before continuing south to Garelochhead and Helensburgh. I turned back, however, passing through Arrochar, crossing the start of the Cowal Way and so retracing my steps through Glen Loin.
One word of warning to anyone intending to use this path - there are a couple of points where signage seems to be missing, leaving you to guess where to go next.

Campbeltown

2010-10-10T22:00:00.000+01:00

Yesterday (after a week of not really going anywhere or doing anything), I had to go to Tarbert for a meeting. It's a long way, but not half as far as Campbeltown which is where I headed after lunch! For all that has ever been said about the place, Campbeltown is a nice place, certainly worth more than the cursory half hour wander that I made. I then headed yet further south, reaching Southend and then crossing to the Mull of Kintyre. By the time I got there, there was a million mile an hour gale blowing, so after getting out of the car (on the third attempt) I took a couple of photos and returned to the relative sanity of my car. One good thing about the wind though, it covered up the noise of my blown exhaust.

Treig Munros

2010-09-30T18:49:00.000+01:00

Today I have been up to Fersit in Glen Spean once more, and climbed the two Munros on the west side of Loch Treig. Last year, I climbed Chno Dearg and it's neighbour to the east in mist and low cloud, but today the forecast was for the cloud to burn off by lunchtime, leaving me with breathtaking views. Sadly, the cloud seemed to have missed the forecast and so it completely failed to burn off.
Nevertheless, I reached the summit of both Stob a'Choire Meadhoin and Stob Coire Easain and then dropped down from the bealach between the two into some fine clear weather, with good views on the long walk back to the car!

Leeds

2010-09-30T18:45:00.000+01:00

Well, I went down to Leeds at the weekend, had to work on the Friday morning so I was 2 hours later than planned leaving. This meant that I missed exploring Harrogate. Instead, I drove the amazing A684 / A6108 and got half an hour in the small Cathedral city of Ripon before heading into Leeds itself. Apart from getting well and truly lost in the confusing IRR/Loop Road system, I was there just on time!
The course was more interesting that I had anticipated, I met some interesting people and learnt something, so it was far from a wasted trip! I also managed to run round the city centre with my camera on the Saturday Evening and Sunday morning.
I left at lunchtime on Sunday, crawled slowly out of West Yorkshire on the A65, stopping in Ilkley for lunch. It took an hour to get there - all twenty miles... Then it was just a very long drive back home.

Loch Lomond

2010-09-23T20:17:00.000+01:00

After walking a stretch of the GGW along Loch Ness last Thursday, the forecast sent me south to day to Inversnaid on Loch Ness. Yes, its a tiny out of the way place but hopefully I'll never need to drive that tortuous road again as I have done the next southward section of the West Highland Way. 14 miles in all, 9 to the north and 5 to the south (there and back each time!).
Full report when I get back from Leeds.

Wesbite finally updated

2010-09-19T20:21:00.000+01:00

Well, it's taken a day or two longer than I had hoped, but I have now got everything more or less up to date on my website. Hopefully I will now keep it that way!
I'm working for the next few days, and then heading down to Leeds for a course at the weekend. I hope to have enough time to do some exploring on the way down, with Harrogate being the plan! Somehow Leeds itself doesn't really appeal...

Loch Ness

2010-09-16T20:27:00.001+01:00

Two posts in two days? What on earth is going on?
Today I have walked from Fort Augustus to Invermoriston along the Great Glen Way. I reckon I have another 3 or 4 days of walking before I finish the whole Way from Fort William to Inverness. It's taken 5 years so far, but I hope to finish this year!!
Apart from the odd light shower it was a bright sunny day again, and thanks to some recent felling, there were plenty of views across Loch Ness. I didn't manage to spot Nessie though.

Tay & Tummel

2010-09-15T20:41:00.001+01:00

Well, I've been working a lot and the weather has been <rude word>. Even yesterday it was, and yet I set off east for Perth, crossing Rannoch Moor in horrendous downpours, making me wonder if the sun would shine at all. Fortunately it did, and I had a nice wander around Birnam and along the banks of the Tay. I then headed north, intending to take a look at some of General Wades Military Road, but I got waylaid at Killiecrankie and had a nice walk along the banks of the River Garry near the Linn of Tummel. Apart from the occasional heavy downpours it was a nice enough day!

I have set aside Friday (when I have an odd, mid-shift at work) to settle down and get my full reports written, so watch this space...
(Don't hold your breath though).

I've been busy!

2010-09-09T09:22:00.001+01:00

Again, it's been a week since I last posted. Sorry.
I have been busy, however, touring the country. Last Thursday I was in Dorset at the Great Dorset Steam Fair with my brother, a fabulous day as ever! Then on Sunday we climbed Ben Nevis, and yesterday we went into Ben Cruachan, the Hollow Mountain, between a drive down Glen Orchy and a visit to Oban.
I shall try to get all this written up properly before too long!

Eigg is amazing!

2010-08-30T21:28:00.002+01:00

The Isle of Eigg is an amazing, beautiful place. Perhaps not quite as fantastic as Tiree, but still pretty special. We had about 5 and a half hours on the island, which is just enough time to take a leisurely walk across from the ferry to the beach at Cleadale. If you ever visit Eigg, I recommend this as the way to go, the beach is a stunner, with the view dominated by the jagged outline of the Isle of Rum just a few miles across the water. With the green waves rolling in, turning white as they crashed on the huge silvery beach it is a place I could have spent hours, not just the five minutes I had before turning back for the ferry.

Anyway, It will probably be next week before I post again as I am off down south to the Great Dorset Steam Fair! It too is an amazing experience, but for completely different reasons!

The Trossachs

2010-08-29T18:37:00.001+01:00

After a brief wander in Glencoe before the heavens opened yesterday afternoon, today I've taken mum down to Brig O'Turk and had a wander through the forests around Loch Venachar. A beautiful day, with blue sky and sunshine dancing on the water. Shame about the wind!
Came back through the Trossachs, up to the pier at Loch Katrine then down through Aberfoyle and so to Callander. Good drive on lovely roads, and very glad we were heading north. Half a mile of traffic queued for the lights in Callander, then over a mile at Ba Bridge on the A82!

Where have I been then?

2010-08-27T18:09:00.001+01:00

Yes, I know, it's been a week without a post. So much for keeping this up to date!

But I've been busy. Last weekend was the Sabre Highland Roadtrip, touring around from Spean Bridge through Glen Garry, past Loch Cluanie and into Glen Shiel then out through Lochalsh to Skye, back to Mallaig and across Lochaber to Glencoe and Rannoch Moor. It was a fantastic weekend, and I'm hoping that they come back up next year for more of the same!

Today has been my next day off, and one way or another I haven't done much in between. My Mum arrived for a week on Wednesday evening, so after work yesterday we went down to Oban. She assures me it is the first time she's been there in the sunshine since the 1970s! We wandered along the front as far as the war memorial towards Dunollie Castle, watching the ferries and then did some shopping.
Today we have been up to Kinloch and walked through the Lairig Mor, covering about 10 miles. It was only in the last hour or so that we got caught by some showers, other than that it was a fine bright day!

Rain, rain, rain

2010-08-20T20:55:00.000+01:00

Well, most of today has been a washout. When it finally stopped raining, the wind was still howling, so apart from a little wander at Keil near Duror, I've been stuck indoors.
Unfortunately, tomorrow's forecast is no better and I'm supposed to be guiding the Sabre Roadtrip on some exploratory walks to see interesting old roads.
To add to the problems, the Armadale-Mallaig Ferry service is 'disrupted' due to the weather...

Cycling is quicker than walking!

2010-08-18T21:52:00.000+01:00

Last night I headed out on my bike for a quick cycle up to Glencoe Lochan and back. It normally takes me an hour and a half to two hours to walk, but it took less than half an hour on the bike!
Anyway, I then headed over to Glenachulish and discovered that the forest road is too steep to cycle up, especially after a hard day at work!
I've nearly got all of my travels up to date for my website, but still need to add a few photos and finish them off. Not sure when I'll get time though, as I'm off down to Killin and Loch Tay tomorrow night to meet up with the Sabre 'gang', then hope to do a couple of Munros on Friday (weather permitting) before rejoining them for the weekend.

The Corrieyairack Pass

2010-08-15T16:10:00.001+01:00

Well, I did it, I set off bright and early and headed north west to Laggan, where I parked the car. Then, to make things rather more interesting, I cycled the 11 miles along the road to Melgarve where the actual climb up the pass starts! The weather was grey and drizzly, I got damp, but it was still an amazing day!

Recent Explorations & Future Plans

2010-08-12T21:07:00.003+01:00

Since the last entry on my proper blog (www.rileyrob.co.uk/blog), I've been cycling around Loch Lyon in the Perthshire hills, and also through Glen Lonan between Taynuilt and Oban. Tomorrow, if the forecast holds out I am hoping to head north east to Laggan and climb the Corrieyarrick Pass, partly as research for the Sabre Wiki, to which I am a regular contributor.
In a little over a weeks time, I will be joining a number of other Sabre members for a Highland Fling.
Thats it for now. Lets just hope I remember to keep this up to date!

Welcome

2010-08-12T20:50:00.000+01:00

Hello,
I have been describing my travels around the British Isles for over a year now at www.rileyrob.co.uk/blog and thought that maybe it was time to let a wider audience know what I've been up to. It might also be the incentive I need to tidy up all the half done pages and keep things up to date!