Battle of Dalrigh and Gold

Day 4 Walking, June 9

Ewich House, Crianlarich to Kilbride Lodge, Tyndrum 

Only a short distance as a long section was clipped off.  

16,884 Steps, 3.5 hours, after walking around Tyndrum all afternoon the step count was up to 21,538

With the idea to take advantage of the option of an easy day, no question, it was taken.  Slept deeply and was startled when the alarm went off. 

Ewich House 

Last down to breakfast where I shared a table with 3 young Chinese women who were only speaking their language. The 3 first ate large bowls of cereal, bread and cheese, then the Full Scottish breakfast.  Everything was consumed.  It was amazing watching the disappearance of food.  This trekker had only the fruit with homemade yogurt, fresh homemade bread with cheeses (the hosts are from Switzerland and this part of the meal was typical European continental) and baked beans.  

As departure was being made and I was standing outside Ewich House pulling on rain gear (Marmot jacket, pants and Sealskin gloves) the Chinese came out lugging rolling suitcases and climbed into a car. With their morning food intake it had been assumed they were setting off on a epic trek. 

It rained off and on all during the walk. Learned that this is one of the wettest parts of Britain with an annual rainfall 4 times higher than Edinburg. It rains here on average 280 days per year. 

The route passed right next to the St Fillian Priory (now a ruin). Fillian was a missionary who came to this area from Ireland and spent his life teaching of Christianity to the Scots and Pics. Robert the Bruce endowed the priory in 1317. 

IKirkton Burial Ground in Strathfillan.  The Medieval cemetery is on a circular mound and has grave stones from the 7th and 8th centuries.  The WHW goes right next to the ancient bones of long forgotten peoples. 

A little further along the path is the site of the Battle of Dalrigh. “Clan MacDougall and Robert the Bruce were allies during the War of Independence in 1296. Then Robert the B murdered the nephew of the Clan Chief in 1306 and they became enemies.  After Robert the Bruce was beaten in battle near Perth they came to this area where his army was ambushed by Clan MacDougall.  All his horseman were killed and R the Bruce went into hiding for two years, and later he defeated the MacDougalls”.

Site of Battle of Dilrigh

Peat restoration:  on going project to prevent peat from drying out and releasing carbon.  Peat helps reduce impact of flooding by slowing water down, and improves water quality for rare plants, birds and insects.  (Mostly copied off a sign). 

So peat is Not just for burning - Susan, Henry, Kim and Maria 😺

Lochan of the Lost Sword. “Legend that after Robert the Bruce was beaten at Dalrigh he threw his long sword Claymore into the loch and it remains there today”. 

TJ’s cafe in Tyndrum had a NYC theme complete with hotdogs and free WiFi.  Grilled cheese came with not very good coleslaw and crisps.  Consumed 2 mugs of tea just to keep sitting there, be dry, and play with phone. 

Scottish Gold Rush was short lived in the 19th century.   Scotland has a very limited supply of gold, but what it had was located here in Tyndrum. The Scottish Honours, the Crown Jewels were from here.  

Olivia and Gary - I saw my first rabbit and expect to see all those mythical ones you two saw from the speeding train - soon 😀

“Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.”  Roger Miller.