Sunday, May 12, 2019

WHW Day 7 – May 8 2019 - Kinlochleven to Fort William


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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