Day 2/6 Great Glen Way 117km - Gairlochy to South Laggan - 21 Mar 2010

24km, 330++m ascent, took 6.25 hours

A good night sleep was essential for a long day ahead. Weather didn't look too good when we started off at 10am, after a fantastic well-prepared breakfast at Dalcomera B&B. Drizzle, then sunshine and the cycle repeated. Scotland's 4 seasons in a single day! Haa!! We met a group of 3 walkers doing the same Way but with their camping gears heavily weighted on their huge haversacks. Respect!






The whole day's walk ran close to the northern shore of Loch Lochy. More climbs today, making the walk a much more exciting one. :) Sometimes there were no views across the water as the slopes rising from the loch were often wooded or forested.

































We had decided to take a big detour from the Great Glen Way around Achnacarry to catch a glimpse of the Clan Cameron Museum which was closed though. This was essentially Cameron country, after they concluded a 350-year feud against the Maclntoshes! The land around Achnacarry was once used as a training ground for commandos. We were fortunate to catch the sight of a huge rainbow hanging over the sky before the magnificent hills in the backdrop. Simply amazing!











We carried on the detour (addition of about 3km to the GGW route) to the Eas Chia-aig Waterfalls and the 'famous' bridge where 'Rob Roy' the movie was filmed. Had a lunch break at a picnic table beside the crashing waterfalls. The walk back to rejoin the Great Glen Way at Clunes was boring though. We marched on along the road with thick vegetation on both sides.

















After leaving Clunes, we began the never-ending slogging on along the forest track parallel to the shore of Loch Lochy (right). The track undulated and passed commercial conifers, as well as self-seeded alder and birch scrub, along the bracken, brambles and tufts of heather. The slogging caused exhausion and strain to set in slowly, especially on our tired heels. Nevertheless we pushed on for hours till we came upon an open magnificent view over the head of Loch Lochy.




















We passed some wooden bridges, Laggan locks and some boats. The final stretch of the walk took us along a narrow gravel path surrounded by pine trees, before arriving at A82 road where we headed backwards to Great Glen Hostel.










Checked into the newly-renovated hostel and we were given a private room with 4 beds and a computer with free internet access too! Nice! We had to walk a mile to the Waterpark for dinner. I had haggies once again - a 'must-have' whenever I visit Scotland. It tasted too good, and Shyam loves it too. :) We also had a pint each. Felt really satisfied after the meal, and we made our way carefully back to our hostel in the almost pitch-dark night, with a head-torch borrowed from the hostel reception. Had a good shower before lights out.