It's the morning after a nice pint (or 2) and a night camping at The Bridge of Orchy, I am ready for the next day on The West Highland Way.
I have 1 pair of almost dry socks and the weather report is looking good for the day. I will be able to hang my remaining wet socks on the outside of my pack and they should dry off.
Just look at that view I will be treated to later in this blog
I think my boots and socks will dry out today.
Getting a little ahead of myself with that pic, so lets get back to the start of this beautiful day.
Even with my now rubbish boots I am feeling confident, I can do this. I'm not going to say "as long as it doesn't rain" but I was thinking it.
My feet have recovered, my boots are just a little damp inside so time to pack up and get on the trail.
Tent packed away, wet socks hanging on back of pack, water bottles filled, check to see I have left nothing behind (leave no trace when you camp people) and I am good to go.
I start with an ascent up Mam Carraigh.
Along with a few other West Highland Way adventurers. Looks like I was not the only one avoiding the crack of dawn start time.
At least I know I'm going the right way, or at least I hope they are all doing the same route. Let's just check that map... yeah I'm good. They are all West Highland Wayers.
Let's push on
I think you can agree that it's not a bad day to climb Mam Carraigh.
In this weather my socks and boots will be dry in no time. Myself on the other hand might be a bit wet from sweating. My anti-odor Merino wool top is getting a work out.
This section is a straight forward trail. Gravel under foot with some small rocks. Nothing technical but it is steep. 
Add a hot day to this steep path and you will go through your water. Not to worry as it is not far to the next place to stop and refill.
Plus hot days give you views like this
Not a bad place to stop and check on my feet.
You do not want wet feet on a long hikes folks. I have always known this tip but now I have experienced it and it's not good. A change of socks and I now have dry feet for the first time in 24hrs.
Let's hit that summit next.
It really is a good day to be up in the hills.
Stood on the peak looking down that path just below that patch of trees on the right, is my next stop. Inveroran Hotel awaits along with a drink and let's hope they have ice cream.
If you look left you see this path
Just below me is the actual West Highland Way path. Seriously, it misses the peak of Mam Carraigh by a couple of feet.
You walk around the peak and either go left up to that peak (no idea, never made a note of it) or go right down to Inveroran.
Or you walk up 2 feet of mud and you summit the mountain. I'm not walking that close to a peak and not summiting it.
Wait! Does this mean I technically missed out about 10 yards of the West Highland Way? I may have to change this blog to 99.9999% of The West Highland Way. Or I have to go back to Scotland again.
I had to make the 2 foot climb for these views.
This blog is getting long and I've not even made first checkpoint. Lets push on I need to make up some time.
No more distractions.
Oooh look at that tree!
I think I should stop and get some pics. 
Sometimes it is worth looking back in life. Especially if views like that are behind you.
Someone else admiring the view. Its like Where's Wally only you are looking for 1 random hiker.
No more distractions lets catch and overtake Wally
I'm going to make up some time. A mini goal. Overtake that hiker and reach Inveroran Hotel. That white spot in the middle of the pic is my target.
I may have got distracted by a lonely tree but like an F1 car switching to slicks, I have high performance dry feet now. Time to get a march on.
Passing the hiker I make my way over a large stone bridge. 
Sorry small wooden bridge fans, you will have to make do with reading part 4 again. Stone bridges from here on.
There was however the lovely Inveroran Hotel over this bridge. I stop at a random tree to take pics but forget to take pics of a major checkpoint.
The important bits about Inveroran. Free water to fill bottles. Ok it does say dog water on the tap but trust me its fine. I only chase the occasional car since drinking it.
The little shop had cold Lemon San Pellegrino's and ice lollies. Amazing on a hot day.
So I recharge, refill my water, check my boots and still dry so all good. I am ready to tackle the old military road to Kings House.
That path was built in the 1750's. It had less pot holes than some of the roads I drive on back home.
That path also took me on one of my favourite walks I have ever done. Over Rannoch Moor to the Glencoe Ski Resort.
To quote westhighlandway.org
"From Forest Lodge, the path slowly rises up onto the edges of Rannoch Moor. This is a wild and remote section of the West Highland Way and one of the last great wildernesses of Europe. On a good day this area offers relatively straightforward walking but if the weather isn’t favourable, ensure you are wrapped up from the elements as it may be tough going across exposed ground."
I got a "good day" folks
I think I will just speed through some pictures of this stunning part of the world.
We had a lonely tree earlier in the blog, now we have a lonely forest.
No dramas on this day apart from running low on water later on. For now, it's just stunning scenery.
The guide is spot on, relatively easy paths. Just on this day the heat was building.
Time for a quick break.
I think this spot will do at a push to stop for a snack and a drink.
I know I have a chocolate bar somewhere in my bag. It will either be a mess or a nice sugar boost. Not melted! Well done Osprey rucksack.
Let's get back on that trail.
I remember when I would have just waded through that puddle. I am liking my dry feet so lets go around.
At this point I found myself totally alone in this beautiful wilderness. Other hikers had either been left behind going at a much slower pace. Or had marched on while I was stopping regularly to take pictures.
I loved it, not a soul insight in any direction.
Now I don't have an issue with people, some of my best friends are people. It's just when you are alone in a place like this, it adds something.
Its great to share such a stunning place with others but it's also an amazing feeling to be in such a vast wilderness on your own. 
Maybe you agree and know what I am struggling to put into words, or maybe it's just me.
Let's not get to deep, let's just look at some more scenery.
Look at that sky and also look at that sun beating down. The heat is really starting to build now.
I will have to be careful with my water supply as still got a long way to go.
Lets get back on the old military road and cover some ground.
I felt like I was miles away from civilisation. As far away from the modern world as I could get. Then my phone rang.
Kind of broke the illusion a little.
It was my mum ringing to see how it was going. So I thought now that the modern world has pushed it's way back into the moment, let's make a video and show my mother how I am doing on my own.Its great just being in the moment. Many a time I have just soaked in the scenery when I am out. No pics, no videos just soak it in.
This time however I had to share the moment. Also I have it now...Recharge your soul!
I am not a spiritual person, but I think that might be a good way to sum up how being surrounded by such natural beauty feels.
That was either a proper zen moment or just a bit pretentious. Let's get back to the usual standard of my blog.
Oooh look a big rock!
I carry on my march along the old military path.
The path crosses a few streams along the way via some old stone bridges.
This particular body of water is pretty easy to cross without the luxury of a bridge.
Although if you are a marching army or a hiker with rubbish boots, a nice solid bridge does help.
Onwards through this stunning landscape to another stone bridge over a not to formidable river.
Now lets have a look back to see if I am still alone out here.
Yep, still all on my lonesome.
It is getting very hot out here. My water is starting to run low. I have enough to make it to my next stop, but I would love a cold drink about now.
Lets turn back to the right direction. I can see a major landmark on my journey.
That pyramid looking peak second in from the left is Buachaille Etiv Mor also known as "The Buachaille" or "The Buckle"
That mountain overlooks my destination. The Kingshouse Hotel is below that peak. You also have the Glencoe Mountain Resort which is bound to have a shop.
Let's push on while thinking of a nice cold drink.
Enjoying the scenery as I hike towards the Buckle.
As I move closer to my target I start to rethink my plan for the day. I was going to continue past Glencoe Mountain Resort and aim for The Kingshouse Hotel for some wild camping near by.
I edge closer to the resort and a shop with a cold drink and start to think, why not stop at the resort. Hot food, cold drinks and a shower. That sounds really good.
I reach the Glencoe Resort car park.
To my right, I continue on The West Highland Way, cross the A82 and find a spot to pitch near Kingshouse for free.
To my left I pay for a nights camping, have a cold shower, a beer and a burger.
I am fully kitted out for wild camping and I have food in my back pack. However I did not pack a nice shower or a bar serving cold drinks and hot food.
Where's my wallet!
Click for Part 5 Part 7 coming soon
