Day 47: New Starbucks Store Opening

After yesterday’s trials and tribulations, today’s West Highland Way was very different and much more enjoyable. Whilst never far from the Highland Line railway or from the A82, I was on good tracks all day, initially following the River Fallon and surrounded by Highland peaks.

Keith Robins had let me know I would be walking over a rebuilt bridge dedicated to a good friend of his, John Kynaston. John was an ultra-runner who died suddenly in 2021 but had been very involved in getting young people out running and was a great supporter of anyone taking on the West Highland Way ultra, as Keith has on a few occasions. If you search John’s name on the internet, you’ll get an idea of the type of guy he was. If you are walking the WHW, take a moment at John’s bridge, it’s a good way of extending his legacy.

The day broke down nicely into three chunks of six miles and I ticked the first one off near Crianlarich with a coffee on a convenient bench before marching on to Tyndrum. Erstwhile carer Phil is having a few days up North with Jackie and we were meeting up for lunch, along with current carer Suzanne. Surely that would mean twice as much attention for my aching limbs, maybe even a midday boot clean? It would appear Jackie’s influence must have overwhelmed my assistants and I returned to the trail unmassaged and dirty of foot.

It had been warm all day but the sun really shone in the afternoon, resulting in probably the warmest day of my trail so far. It was a little strange to still see snow on the peaks of the tallest ‘Bens’ whilst I was applying sun tan lotion at the bottom.

In an earlier blog, I mentioned Best Ever, my much loved Trespass walking jacket that had had to be retired due to factors including smell and falling to pieces. I was lucky enough to have Best Ever II, the identical twin, in replacement. After three weeks of daily use, Best Ever II needed a spin in the washing machine - what would I wear? I pleased to report Best Ever was retrieved from The Great Wardrobe in the Sky and, after some attention with scissors, cotton, tape and Febreeze, has made an impressive return to the frontline in the last few days. There’s life in the old fella yet.

The afternoon walk was similar to the morning, this time on an old military road with the railway running nearby - that would have made a beautiful journey to work, much better than my commute to Manchester through Irlam.

We’re staying in a car park at the Bridge of Orchy tonight, although we did have a couple of hours at the impressive Shepherd’s Hut Phil and Jackie are staying in nearby. I can see Suze thinks she’s getting the rough end of the deal here.

Tomorrow I’m up bright and early for a ‘superb but challenging’ 22 miles to Kinlochleven, where another car park awaits. I wish I’d emptied the chemical toilet at the last campsite. If the red light comes on it could tip Suze over the edge.