THE GREAT GLEN WAY
The Great Glen Way is 117km and stretches from Fort William on the West coast of Scotland to Inverness in the Highlands. My two friends and I decided to tackle the route over 5 days camping every night.
We planned our route and the hours and miles required for completion each day. We also made a pack list although quickly realised we had brought too much.
What we left behind at lagoon Locks |
At Laggan Locks on the second morning we went through our baggage and discarded what we could leaving these items with the lock master who kindly kept them safe for us until we could collect them at a later date. We got rid of flip flops, any extra clothing and decanted medicines into smaller packaging, I also got rid of my roll mat (and never felt a difference sleeping - can only put that down to being so exhausted).
Water Purification Tablets
First Aid Kit
Base Layers
Insulating Layers
Waterproof Layers
Spare socks and underwear
Toiletries (shared between the 3 of us)
Sleeping bag each
2 tents for the 3 of us and one dog.
One Buff
Midgie repellant (a must)
A Knife
A stove (1 between us all)
Small kettle
Porridge for breakfast for 5 days
Fold Away Cups
Tea Bags
Hydrated Milk (for tea only)
Hydrated packeted meals to do 3 dinners/lunches.
Duct tape rolled around a loo roll tube
Charger
Water reservoir
Cap
Bumbag
Lighter
Tissues
Whiste
Camping knife
Cash
Fairy liquid
Wrist watch
Midge repellent
Head lamps
We learnt two valuable lessons from the first day - 1/ we had carried too much and 2/ as novice long distance walkers we were pushing ourselves beyond limits in the miles we had set out to do each day.
We decided to take the second day easy and had a long leisurely breakfast before setting off for Fort Augustus 10 miles away instead of the planned Invermoriston which was a further 7 miles North. We talked and relaxed in our walk that day and began a drinks reminded where if anyone shouted 'DRINK!" everyone must drink some of their water. We met Joe as we took a break before the last trek into the town. We had a good dinner that night, pitched up well before dark and felt confident we would continue till the end all the while insisting we could only do what we could and although our aim was Inverness we would simply get only so far as we could before the sun went down on day 5.
On the third morning it rained. We packed the tents under a shelter and ate breakfast with Joe before all heading off together at around 8am just as the rain stopped. We made our way though town and up into the hills and forests of Alt na Criche. Joe shared with us that he too was carrying some extra unnecessary weight - a flask of whiskey. We laughed at this unbeknown that it would be a saving grace in just moments later.
After lunch in town we headed back on the trail talking through what had just happened at length.
Joe walked with us until we all reached a vantage point. He carried on as we lumbered behind for another 8 miles up hills and through forest. It got hard particularly when we were just one mile outside of Drumnadrchit and had to stagger down a steep gradient tarmac road where every step felt like blood bursting in our feet. By the time we reached the campsite it was dark and we were all feeling broken. We pitched up and hobbled into town to get something to eat before 9pm came round. We were delighted to meet Joe and his parents in the beer garden of a local restaurant and we happily talked, drank and ate until it was time for bed.
On the last day Leona’s partner came by to cart away our tents and anything we didn’t need for camping anymore. We set off at 8am but it was quickly apparent that Leona’s foot which had been bothering her the night before had become more painful over night. We slowed our pace and she re-strapped her foot. We lessened load and found a strange cafeon the Glen Way track. Shortly after eating lunch and cakes we were joined by Joe, Murdani and Rebecca. The meeting proved detoxifying and revitalising for us all as we all headed off together towards Inverness. The chance to get to know Murdanie and Rebecca (who we had met briefly on the first day) was a distraction to the pain in our bodies. Skye was carried briefly in Sarahs back pack and took the opportunity to lay down every time we rested. We all made it to the end together and we all helped one another long the way. Inverness Castle was never such a welcome sight that day with but at the same time the idea of parting ways with the path and the friends we had met was equally unwelcoming. Every story must have its end, however thats not to say that every path should. We plan to do the West Highland Way in 2018 and hope very much to meet Murdanie, Rebecca and Joe on the way.
FROM
|
TO
|
DISTANCE (KM)
|
BREAKFAST
|
LUNCH
|
DINNER
|
CAMP SITE
|
|
DAY 1
|
FORT WILLIAM
|
LAGGAN LOCKS
|
38.8
|
X
|
STOVE MEAL?
SHOPS IN BANAVIE
|
STOVE MEAL
|
CAMPSITE
|
DAY 2
|
GLAS DHOIRE
|
FORT AUGUSTUS
|
25.5
|
STOVE - PORRIDGE
|
STOVE MEAL?
SHOPS WELL OF SEVEN HEADS
RESTAURANTS AT WATER PARK AND INVERGARRY AND ABERCHALDER
|
STOVE MEAL
RESTAURANTS PUBS AND SHOPS IN FORT A
|
CAMPSITE WITH FACILITIES
|
DAY 3
|
FORT AUGUSTUS
|
DRUMNADROCHIT
|
35.5
|
STOVE - PORRIDGE
|
STOVE MEAL?
SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS AT INVERMORISTON
RESTAURANT AT ALLTSIGH
|
STOVE MEAL
RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS IN DRUM
|
CAMPSITE
|
DAY 4
|
DRUMNADROCHIT
|
INVERNESS
|
29.5
|
HOSTEL - PORRIDGE
|
STOVE MEAL?
RESTAURANTS AT ABRIACHAN
|
X
|
X
|
TOTAL DISTANCE 119.5 KM/74.5 MILES
EACH DAY SHOULD MAKE 30KM/18.5 MILES