An amber weather warning for this part of Scotland on Monday left us with decisions to make. The best idea was to combine two short days into one long day today and avoid walking in the expected bad weather tomorrow.
Therefore, Day 96 of the End to End began at Bridge of Oich with the 12 mile goal of Invermoriston in mind if all went well.
The first part of the walk was along the Caledonian Canal, a smooth level path. It was a quiet Sunday morning stroll. Bob met me and we got into Fort Augustus in time for 11s when the fish and chip shop opened.
The next part was going to be more difficult not least for the steep ascent from the Village to the main path. The forestry track is currently being used for laying water pipes so it was good we were walking on a Sunday when that wasn’t happening.
It was a very green route with speckled wood butterflies the most common and some very large fungi as well.
We took a path down from the track before Invermoriston to avoid a long detour round to the village. It involved a couple of hundred metres on the road, but the footpath soon came along and we strolled into Invermoriston. We admired Telford’s bridge over the River Morriston. The walk ended in the centre of the village by St Columba’s well.
From St Columba’s Prayer
Be a bright flame before me, O God
a guiding star above me.
Be a smooth path below me,
a kindly shepherd behind me
today, tonight, and for ever.
JAL 21.07.2019
Day 96 of the End to End, Bridge of Oich to Invermoriston via Fort Augustus.