The Ecstasy of Wilderness

27.2km, took 6.5 hours

I bid farewell to the friendly owners of the Station Lodge after a home-cooked breakfast. I thought I saw a kangaroo (about 10m ahead) when making my way through the trees to the highway. Haa..probably a deer. How could it be a kangaroo? DUMDUM me! I took the shorter route - a 4.8 miles walk along the highway, passing the majestic Moy Reservoir dam, and heading towards Moy Bridge where I crossed over to the southern side. Sad to say, the weather was bad today: non-stop drizzle, low-hanging clouds, very gloomy.

The next section of the track which twisted uphill was exciting. The wind picked up, giving me the creeps. The East Highland Way is indeed a very new long-distance route. Up till today, I'd not met any walkers. How strange!

I descended to the western shore of Loch Laggan. The track was wide and rough underfoot, skirting around the southern edge of the Loch. The long walk got boring, but an SMS from a close friend boosted my morale and propelled me on, despite the pain from every step I took. :)

The highlight of today's walk was the fairy-tale castle (actually a large private family estate). My jaws nearly dropped when its enchanting sight appeared before my eyes. WOW WOW WOW!!!

Leaving the Loch, I entered a small forest before heading out into an open farmland. The weather got better and the true shades of the hills added flavour to the whole walk. The Pattack Falls were not as impressive as expected, but it indeed could be a great bathing spot during the summer. I got a pick-up from Monadhliath Hotel (Laggan). My feet needed lots of rest. Dinner was Steak and Scottish Ale. Tasted really great to be very honest...

9.1km, took 3.5 hours

I was stunned by the view from the breakfast room windows: the magnificent mountains where I came from yesterday. WOW! The weather can really change my impression of the whole place.

I decided to leave earlier than planned as the weather was just TOO perfect! Re-tracing my steps back to the suspension bridge, I took the East this time, going over ditches and even climbing over fences (just couldn't open them!!!) Drizzle caught up unfortunately, but the rainbow appeared at the right time - just when I was snapping a photograph of the Achnacochine ruins.

Then came the 'WORST' part of the day:
1) Crossing the mouth of 2 streams. Very scary (slippery stones beneath the running water). As expected, I got both my WATERPROOF boots soaked with cool refreshing water! :(
2) I had a hard time (almost an hour) trying to look for the 'well-hidden' forest gate which led me to a charming part of the walk which had its own enchanting character. It sucked to walk with WET boots, but luckily, today would be a short day.

I dragged my hurting legs up the steep forest trail - tracks were not obvious initially, but they became clearer further uphill. The route gave me the feeling that the East Highland Way was hardly trekked by walkers: no way-markers, few footmarks, truly remote and exciting! :) The sun came out once again and revealed the beautiful mountains when I reached the highest point on the forest trail.

The descent took me down to Inverlair and it was a pleasant road-walk to Tulloch where my accommodation for the night was - Station Lodge. I had my lunch and dinner at the hostel - HOME-COOKED MEALS, and GREAT HOSPITALITY! I also learnt that I was the only one in for tonight. Oh, not just me... and the ghost.. COOOOOooolll...