Day 93 of the End to End started early at Roy Bridge station as Hannah was catching the 08.04 train south. All three of us have now arrived or departed from Roy Bridge station whilst taking part in an End to End, which is pretty good for a small request stop in the Highlands.
The actual walking began at Lochyside on the Great Glen Way. It was a grey start and the weather got heavier but the full on rain didn’t really start until we’d stopped walking.
I got a message from Bob to tell me the Jacobite steam train was due at Banavie about 10.15am. With any luck so was I. Banavie is a very small station and the engine has to go through it very slowly so it was a good spot for a photo.
After the steam had cleared I crossed the road to Neptune’s Staircase at the start of the Caledonian Canal. This is the longest Staircase Lock in Britain. Built between 1803 and 1822 by Thomas Telford there are 8 individual locks in the staircase. Near the bottom one small canalside building is a cafe. I called in and received a free packet of biscuits to see me on my way to Gairlochy.
The path was flat and broad and very easy after the West Highland Way. I was well supplied with wild flowers to admire, including some lovely butterfly orchids.
Bob met me for lunch and we had a picnic on a log before continuing to Gairlochy. We passed the Moy Bridge, the only hand operated swing bridge on this section of the canal.
At Gairlochy I had a rest in the car for half an hour before beginning the final section for the day. It was a lovely walk along the side of Loch Lochy through mixed woodland. These trees make up part of the temperate rain forest of the West Highlands and it was lovely to see them at their wet and misty best with rain drops dripping from every branch and low cloud shrouding the hills.
From Psalm 68
Holy One, you made abundant rain fall and restored your worn-out land.
Once again I am thankful for rain after several very hot days walking on the West Highland Way. The Great Glen path is mostly flatter. The hills bear a blanket of grey cloud today and the forest is wonderfully green.
God grant a quiet night and a peaceful end
JAL 17.07.2019
Day 93 of the End to End, Lochyside to Rubha allt a’ Bhradain on Loch Lochy.