WHW Day 7 – May 8
2019 - Kinlochleven to Fort William
Distance – 26.49 k;
Total Time on the Trail – 7:33:09; Avg
Overall Speed – 3.7 kph; Walking Time – ; Avg Moving Speed – 4.2 kph; Elevation
Gain - 582 m; Temperature - 3 C; Trail:; Overnight – Guisachan House, Fort
William
The last 26 k went without a hitch. We climbed up out of
Tynedrum for ages including tackling the “Giants’ Staircase” which wasn’t
nearly as brutal as we thought, but was a series of switchbacks up the steep
hillsides, but once we were half way up the mountain side we stayed there for
most of the day and travelled along an undulating path before starting the
downward journey into Fort William. The scenery was magnificent, the weather
beautiful with some sprinkles of rain
The Final 5k or so was nasty. We came down out of a day in the
mountains to the main road into Fort William. We followed the signs to the “Original
Site of the End of the WHW Trail” and the rest was a guessing game. Once we hit
the pedestrian only street, there were the tiny “thistle” signs on the lampposts….occasionally….and
we walked down the narrow cobbled street, not really knowing if we were on the
right path but eventually we came to the guy with the sore foot and realized we
were at the end!! Yeah!!! Congratulations all around. Other walkers were there
too, and we helped each other out with pictures, accolades, and high-fives!! In
the rain!!!
We walked back down the street and found a little pub where
we had a half-pint to celebrate before heading out to the Guisachan Guesthouse,
where Robin and Peter had left the car.
Checked into the B
& B….settled in…and headed out for dinner.
The hike was amazing, scenery sooo beautiful, so much
nostalgia, and a deep feeling that this is my land, my country as much as
Canada. Whereas there wasn’t the “thrill” of finishing as with the Bruce, the
trail was challenging enough (but certainly not overly difficult) to make
finishing satisfying. I am ever grateful to my body for its strength to take me
to such a beautiful place. I struggle to find words to describe what my heart
was feeling: familiarity, a sense of belonging, and awe; awe at the wonder of
the mountains, the glens, the moors, the rivers, the lochs, the history. And…. Next to no development…..we passed many ruins
which left us wondering about the people who lived there. An amazing experience
and I would certainly recommend this hike to anyone who wants to immerse
themselves in the beauty and history of Scotland.
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