FINISHING THE WEST HIGHLAND WAY

Saturday 20/03/2010. After a good night's sleep by the ruins of the Larigmor Cottage I awoke quite early determined to get to the end of the walk in Fort William as soon as possible, from there I have a long journey back home so an early departure is in order and I was up and walking by 7am. It took about three hours to reach the outskirts of Fort William and descending Glen Nevis was a pleasant downhill trod but unfortunately the low cloud denied me much of a view of the Ben and surrounding hills, but never mind I was making good time and in good form. Not long after leaving Larigmor, the nature of the walking changes as the mountains are forsaken and the route winds it's way into the forest on the approach to Glen Nevis, there was some rather unwelcome uphill work as well but not too taxing. The last couple of miles were along the pavement leading to the round-a-bout at the entrance to Fort William, this has been the traditional finish to the West Highland Way, but an extension has been agreed to take the walk into the center of the town, this seems sensible as surely every walker will of necessity be going into Fort William anyway. Unlike the start of the walk 98 miles away in Milngavie, there is no structure or marker to show precisely where the "new" end is. Never mind, it has been dry for these final ten or so miles and now that the walking is over the sun has decided to come out. I found a toilet and had a good wash and a shave then something to eat. An earlier visit to the Tourist Information Centre has established that the best way to Glasgow was by a coach leaving at 2.15pm. Thus I had about two hours to enjoy in town and in the sun this was relaxing and just fine. My feet were in good order despite my new expensive boots having been wet through for about three days, I have no blisters but intermittent soreness comes and goes, I think it is the osteo-arthritis I am now getting in my big toes - especially the right one- kicking in. Never mind I haven't done too bad for an old man, my walking time being under three and a half days end to end. The coach to Glasgow was a delight going down Glencoe and across Rannoch Moor and on to Loch Lomond, in a reversal of my route north and quite a lot of the walk could be seen, particularly on Loch Lomond, from the bus. I arrived in Glasgow at 5.30pm and had to wait it out till 10.30pm before I could get a bus to Carlisle. My trusty bus pass is no help in Scotland, alas and my expenditures on fares to and from Carlisle amounted to £40.00. quite a lot but worth the cost for the walk. I should like to do more long walks in Scotland but the cost is a depressing factor. Hey-ho. (My picture shows the ruins of the cottages known as Tigh na Sleubhaich, my camp site lay half-a-mile further down the valley, just before the point where northern toe of Beinn na Caillich reaches the floor of the glen).