Wandering Walkers 5 - 6

DAY 5
Rob Roy and goats. Peaceful Loch Lomond was our companion for most of the day. We walked 22.4 km to Beinglas Farm,  just beyond the northern end of the lake. Even the constant drone of traffic on the main road along the opposite shore did not spoil our day.

 Numerous waterfalls tumbled down the hillside to the track.

 The first bluebells of spring.

We passed four small groups of wild goats. I would not want to be on the wrong end of those horns.  They have been here for hundreds of years. One story is that they saved Rob Roy's life on one occasion by distracting soldiers who were pursuing him.

Mostly we walked through oak and beech woods but we had morning tea in a "Lord of the Rings" pine forest among the ruins of a farming settlement from almost 300 years ago.

 The old brye (barn) has been restored as a walkers' bothy (basic shelter). You can just see the roof on the left.

 The track was narrow and rocky in places.

 Is that Rob Roy's cave under the rock on the left? A sign suggested it was. Rob Roy had numerous hiding places around these parts.

 We said goodbye to Loch Lomond.

About 2 miles further on, our accommodation was a lovely motel style room at a farm converted to accommodation, campsite, walkers' shop and pub. A welcome sight at the end of a full day of walking.

DAY 6

A day of stunning weather and mountain scenery.

 Very laid back cows enjoying the sun and not moving for walkers.

Cow manure mixed with large sections of slippery mud is not something you want to fall into. Sheryl puzzling over how to safely cross one of several muddy patches.

HALFWAY! Halfway through the day's walk and halfway through the entire West Highland Way. 76 kms done and 76 kms to go. We celebrated with vegemite sandwiches and a mountain vista. Yes -- we brought vegemite with us from Australia.

After walking up and over a hill through a pine forest, we strolled along the valley floor. Some of my ancestors may very well have walked here as this valley leads to Glen Orchy and Black Mount and Glen Etive where some of my people are from.

The cemetry on a mound beside the ruins of the 17th century St Fillan's Priory.

Mumma sheep was still cleaning her twins as they struggled to use still wobbly legs. They were quite literally, new born. A beautiful birthplace.

Tonight's B&B is a small house in Tyndrum, which seems to be a small cluster of hotels, B&Bs, a caravan and campsite and a couple of shops all catering to travellers. It is on the main road, between two train lines and has two train stations.

Tomorrow we walk over a big hill to Inveroran; in to clan Fletcher territory.