Day 4/6 Great Glen Way 117km - Fort Augustus to Invermoriston - 23 Mar 2010

13km, 300m ascent, took 3.25 hours

A Scottish breakfast once again at the B&B, followed by a short day ahead, even though it didn't feel that short. :P Perfect weather for walking - sunny, cooling, windy. Before embarking on the official Great Glen Way from Fort Augustus, we spent about an hour around the bustling village visiting gift shops and walking to the jetty at the head of Loch Ness. Beautiful day indeed! I was excited to start the march on, knowing that today's walk onwards would involve steeper and more challenging ascents.














The gentle climb out of the village passed a couple of bed and breakfasts, before a turn-left along a riverside path. Finally...that's what I was waiting for! Crossing footbridges, over tumbling streams and through the thick woods of oaks, birch and tall conifers with lush margins of heather, mosses, ferns, etc. The initial climb was steep, bringing in the real 'pants' for the first time since Day 1. It felt great after the climb, gasping the abundance of fresh air in the hills.












The forest track rose and fell high above the banks of Loch Ness. The lady in the gift shop had said that if we could spot and photograph the legendary Monster, we could get paid quite a lump sum for that! Hehehe... We paused at view points/ stone-slab seats occasionally to catch a bird's eye view of Loch Ness in both ways. Breathtaking indeed! And the wind had picked up too!



























The route finally came to a point where there was a glimpse of the village of Invermoriston. The track, however, climbed and later descended, leading well away from the village. A final right sharp turn down a steep and stony path led us down to a road towards the village.












The falls of Moriston which was admired from the ravaged remains of the Old Bridge (Telford's Bridge) was splendid. We spent some quiet time there, engrossed in our own deep thoughts, with the crashing yet peaceful gush of water spilling beneath the Bridge.







The search for Georgeston B&B took a while, but we managed to seek the help of a local there who directed us to the accommodation. Checked in very early, rested and went out to the one and only hotel/restaurant (Glenmoriston Arms) in the village. OMG... we had main course, followed by dessert. My stomach was bursting as if I just had a big buffet. But had to admit the food was really good. One thing special about this B&B: it had electric heated blankets - my first encounter of using it. Interesting! :)