Wounded Boat, Ruined Castle, and TOO Many Trees

Day 18 Walking, Sunday, June 23.

Abbey Cottage, Fort Augustus to Invergarry Hotel, Invergarry. 

10.75 Miles, 5 Hours, Plus another 2 Miles to visit Invergarry Castle.  Steps 34706

Omelette for breakfast with ham, mushrooms and cheese.  The other two couples each ate a full bowl of cereal followed by the Full Scottish.  

Hiker in post office/grocery with his crocs dangling and his cell phone open for solar charging. 

Phoned from my room on the landline attached to the wall to arrange for my pickup at the end of today’s walk.  In the morning will be taken back to that location to continue WALKING!  I WALKED!  There was no long distance phone charge as all calls in the UK are considered local.

Flat path today.  The morning was along side the Caledonian Canal and then Loch Oich.  That loch is the smallest of the 3 connected by the canal.  It is 4 miles long and 0.3 wide.  The afternoon was also along the edge of the water, but water was mostly hiding behind dense green foliage. 

There was a disabled boat traveling as a side kick to another boat.  Odd to see a large boat moving along at a good speed, with no driver.  The one on the right was the wounded one. 

Only about a dozen walkers were met, but probably 40 on bikes.  Some bikers were fully loaded with waterproof bags on the back and front like they were out for the long-haul. The other bikers were ‘Sunday’ riders and just taking a day trip. 

“In Scotland everyone has access rights in law over most lands and inland water, provided access is exercised responsibly.  This includes walking, cycling, horse-riding, and water access, for recreational and educational purposes.”

Bridge of Orich.  “In 1849 a flood swept through the Great Glen and breached the Caledonian Canal destroying the old stone bridge over the River Oich.  It took five years to replace it with this double cantilever bridge where each half of the bridge can support its own weight.”

Fisherman in loch.  

Had a snack break mid day sitting on a moss covered fallen tree trunk. 

Talked with a man walking north who was doing the GGW in sections.  He too disliked today’s walk under the trees with nothing to see but more trees. 

Just like on the Elroy - Sparta.  There was a tunnel to walk through.  

The path from the Bridge of Oich to South Laggan followed the Old Military Road built by General Wade, and an old railway track bed...like at home - Rails to Trails paths.  

Miss located chimney?

Sat on the Eagle Inn Barge tied up in the canal at South Laggan to wait for my driver. I had a non-boat ride on the Caledonian Canal, and a beverage and leftover shortbread from yesterday.  

Cars were blocked in a little lane as a couple was trying to push their camper into a driveway rather than actually backing it in (issue on Main Street, St Point, possibly a solution Gary?)

After arriving at Invergarry Hotel I quickly went back out to find the ruins of Invergarry Castle.  Directions and map and I set off.  It was a bit disappointing that there was a ‘security’ fence around it, but that was necessary as people kept trying to climb the walls, and the walls are sort of crumbling.  

Had one of the Harry Potter films on in my room.  Besides the spoken words there is a voice-over describing the scenes and what the characters are doing.  What a great idea for those that are sight impaired.  

“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.”  John Muir