It's day 4 of our West Highland Way adventure. After a night wild camping in some woods near Crainlarich, the remaining members of Team Bowfell wake up ready for another day of hiking.
Or at least that's what I thought.
It was a grey overcast morning but I was ready for whatever Scotland had to throw at me next
What it threw at me was another reduction in the size of Team Bowfell. The 2 friends of the shop that had decided to join us on our adventure, had now decided they were done.
We are a small team at Bowfell Models, just me and our semi-tame model builder with some occasional help from friends. So Team Bowfell was only 2 until a couple of friends joined at the last minute. Now they have said it's not for them we are back to the core of Bowfell Models.
As you already know by now, The West Highland Way has already claimed one of the core members of Bowfell Models. So let's do the maths here... yep, I'm pretty sure my head count is correct. 1 left.
This is now a solo adventure
Tent packed away, no rubbish left behind, a quick check of the map and I'm ready to hit the trail.
I pick up the trail again and head into the woods. My 1st goal of the day, reach The Green Welly.
Anyone who has driven through this part of Scotland will probably know The Green Welly in Tyndrum. If not, it is a service station/shop/laundrette/cafe. A good place to stop for supplies and re-think my plan of attack.
Through the woods crossing a few small rivers. We all know how you cross small rivers in Scotland...that's right!
A small wooden bridge (you know you love them)
Winding paths with some occasional steep sections make their way through the woods.
Nothing to challenging on this section as I make my way out of the trees.
Ok that's a lot of clouds lurking over there. No need for the waterproofs yet as I am heading away and down towards the A82.
Crossing the A82 (Yes, I remember what Charley said so I looked both ways) I pick up a path that runs alongside the road.
The main road is just the other side of that fence on the left of the picture. I stay on this path then turn right to cross the impressive River Fillan
Sorry small wooden bridge fans
You will have to make do with large stone and metal bridges for a bit. Although it does have some wood in it.
Onwards towards a farm and St Fillan's Priory
When you reach that farm you head left past St Fillan's Priory. Now I was sure I had taken some pictures of said Priory but I can't find them. So here is a big stone bridge instead.
Then my journey takes me into Tyndrum Community Woodland
and past the Field of the Battle of Dalrigh
Not a bad way to mark an historical site.
A quick historical summary - The Battle of Dalrigh was fought in 1306 between the army of King Robert the Bruce against Clan McDougall. After his defeat at the Battle of Methven, Robert the Bruce and his army made for the Western Isles and safety. While passing through Tyndrum they were intercepted by the army of the McDougalls.
His army was all but destroyed and Robert the Bruce narrowly escaped. The site is also known as Dail righ or the Kings Field. The story of Dalrigh continues a little further up the trail.
.
After another river and yes you guessed it
A small(ish) wooden bridge. I carry on following The West Highland Way through the woodlands until I reach the next part of the story.
This site is all about a sword in a body of water. Only this story has nothing to do with some lady in a lake throwing a sword at a bloke named Arthur.
This is The Lochan of the Lost Sword
This big stone has a sword carved into it to mark the site. A sword in the stone some might say. If Arthur had access to Roundtable Lawyers 4 U, I think a ye olde copyright lawsuit may have happened.
After narrowly escaping the Battle of Dalrigh, Robert The Bruce and his men threw any unwieldy heavy arms into a small Lochan.
Among the heavy arms thrown into the Lochan in the above picture was Robert The Bruce's sword, Legend has it that Roberts claymore "The Kingsword" still lies beneath the surface.
I did think about wading in on the of chance I may find the sword. Maybe if I did the people of Scotland would embrace me as their new king.
Then I also thought if I make it to the Green Welly soon I can get a sausage roll. Sorry Scotland, I will have to leave the opportunity to be your new king behind, for pastry awaits! onwards!
A quick look at the other stone to mark the site before I push on.
I continue my journey and come across the following collection of rocks
I've no idea.
The sword loch had a marker and an information sign. This though... nope, not a clue. Small rocks worshipping the big square rock? No, still don't know so lets keep going.
Shortly after the rocks thing I noticed a problem. My boots are letting in water and I now have very wet feet. Not the best time for your boots to give up on you but I push on. Just got to avoid water, no stepping in puddles etc.
Thank's West Highland Way! A river crossing is just what I needed. Although it is a nice looking river and just behind those trees is Tyndrum and The Green Welly.
Again I have no pics of the next section. You are not missing much though. Just me, a sausage roll, my bare feet drying out and some wet socks drying on a bench.
This was a big decision moment. I had 1 pair of dry socks left so do I push on to The Bridge of Orchy or stay here?
It was still early and I had been told the Bridge of Orchy was a great place to spend the night. So I refilled my water bottles, grabbed some supplies, threw on my last pair of dry socks and carried on.
The path out of Tyndrum was a little steep then levels out. It should be fairly easy going from here to The Bridge of Orchy.
I had to stop for a bit of preventive maintenance on my foot. Not a problem just boot off and apply some KT Tape to the hot spot.
While I was sat on the grass, a nice man walking past me towards Tyndrum asked if I was ok. You do meet a lot of great people on The West Highland Way. You also often find people are very willing to offer help.
We talked about how I was on my last dry pair of socks, my boots had let me down and how as long as my feet stay dry blisters should not be a worry.
He had completed the West Highland Way a few years earlier and this time was trying it in the opposite direction.
Ooh that reminds me. Little side note that should probably be in day 1 of this blog. I met a woman on day 1 walking in the opposite direction to me. We got talking and it turned out she had already completed The West Highland Way, turned around and walked back to the start. That's 192 miles! what a legend!
Back to my effort. I siad goodbye to the nice walker I had just met and said the words "Yeah no worries, I'll be fine as long as it doesn't rain"
Yep, I said that out loud for Scotland to hear. I think you know what happens next
As you can see in the above video, things did not go as I had planned.
Also just look at how many other walkers are in that video. None.
I said you meet lots of nice people but sometimes you have moments when you are totally alone. Apart from the rain I love that feeling when you are surrounded by beautiful scenery and not a soul around.
The rain stops, my boots had given all the water around me an open invitation to join my feet inside my socks.
Starting to walk slower now. Very wet feet starting to hurt now. If I make it to the end of this adventure, it will be time for a new pair of boots.
A straight'ish run now to The Bridge of Orchy. Wet feet will not stop me.
Check it out
That's the bridge I have been aiming for. I made it. Over that bridge is a nice spot to pitch and behind me is a pub.
Even when the weather is grimm, Scotland still looks amazing. Also spot my little water front property between thsoe trees on the left.
Ok lets try this zoom mode on my phone
That's prime real estate right there.
I have sore feet, I am soaked through but surrounded by beautiful scenery. Only one thing I can do now to plan and prepare for tomorrow.
I have to rehydrate.
That's day 4 done. I got to see some history, had the chance to take a sword from a lake and rule Scotland, got rained on and finished with a nice pint at The Bridge of Orchy.
Keep an eye out for the next part of the blog featuring some much better weather, more stunning views of the Highlands and another moment of total solitude in a stunning part of the Highlands.
