Return to Land of Drovers with Music and Fried Goat Cheese Salad

Day 23 Walking, Saturday, June 29.
Kilbride Lodge, Tyndrum to Rose Cottage, Inverarnan. 
13 Miles, 6 Hours, Steps 34066

Walkers - 168
Bikers - 2
Runners - 3
Dogs - 0
Strollers - 12 - as in ambling with feet near a village and not a ride for baby with wheels.  



There was a couple from Cincinnati who stayed in the room next to mine.  Unfortunately my choice of the two beds was the one closest to the dividing wall.  Clearly everything they said to each other was overheard by this American.  They were not very interesting.  Much better had they been some lively Italians or other nationality. 

On my host Kate’s recommendation I did not go off trail to Crianlarich to get lunch as it would be an extra 1.5 miles round trip.  First would be a steep descent and than a steep ascent.  Waited until very near my destination for real food.  Before that nibbles on shortbread left from Kilbride House, a clementine from two days ago and other snacks being carted about in the pack.  



Departed Tyndrum again going against the flow of traffic.  The largest clusters of walkers are passed in the middle of the day.  The early people are typically carrying large loads and have been wild camping out on the sides of mountains or in the forests.  



Began playing Leap Frog with a couple from the Czech Republic who are also doing the WHW the same direction as myself. 

Lots of Ups and Downs as the miles passed around the sides of mountains and through forests and farm land.  



Odd mud.  

One hiker was hiking in his Kilt. 



Walker #55 had a full loaf of bread tied to the side of her backpack.  #93 had duck tape wrapped about the toe of her boot (must have been a tough walk yesterday). 

Saw a HARE sitting up on a hill on what must have been its burrow.  First rabbity creature in days. 



Hare on Hill

Passed the site of the Battle of Dalrigh.  Gaelic - Dal Righ is translated in English as ‘place of the King’.  Today the location is a pretty meadow under majestic mountains.  I stopped again to read the sign, take photos.  While doing that another pair of walkers came up and didn’t even glance over.  Either they are not interested in History, or have seen it all over and over.  

Paused again at the ruins of Saint Fillan’s Priory.  



Climbed the stonewall of the Kirkton Burial Ground to check out the old graves.  



Goat cheese salad with balsamic dressing at Beinglas Farm.  



While sitting in Beinglas Farm restaurant began talking with a hiker from Edmonton, Canada.  He too is walking alone and found today’s path very challenging.  Said it was the first time he ever walked for 7 hours.  He was amazed at himself.  After he gets to Fort William he plans to get a rental car and spend time on the Isle of Skye. 



Drovers Inn, Inverarnan where food shall be had this evening, some live music, and hopefully WiFi.  

Rose Cottage where tonight’s bed is parked is very nice,  but they do not have a connection to the wide world beyond their narrow valley.  At least not one they share with their guests.  


“If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, its lethal.”  Paul Coelho

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