Walking the West Highland Way: 21st - 29th May 2010
A group of fund-raisers have just returned safely from a fantastic walk from the start in Milngavie in Glasgow to the end in Fort William otherwise known as the West Highland Way.
The following is a diary of the walk including quotes from Jim's blog.
Friday 21st May
There were two assembly points, one on the East coast in Haddington and the Bankell campsite for those heading up the West coast. Backpacks were picked up from Haddington by Ian Mitchell in a transit van and taken to Milngavie.
The "East Coasters" then traveled to Glasgow by rail and were picked up by minibus at the other end and delivered to the campsite at Bankell where they all stayed on the first night.
Jim: "Most of us met through at Onkle Fish's place on the Friday and what a fantastic day weather wise it was. Myself, Ian and Jim Pender picked up the van from GM Flooring in Linlithgow so it was up to Beecraigs to pick up all the pre-cooked food and beer. Through to Haddington to get the bags and meet some of the walkers. There was Derek Hughes, Nick Jefferson and Bella the dog (our mascot), Doug Hackett, John Davidson, Jo Vincent, Helen Donahoe, Dirk Pagelow, Christoph Sahm, Big John Davidson and of course Fish. These guys were catching the train through to Glasgow then over to the camp site at Milngavie where we were met by Iain Allan, Sue Arber, Blair Pender and Jamie Symington. Van unloaded, tents up and barbeque was all go, all the beer we had on the van was drunk that night - crazy but good."
Photos
Saturday 22nd May - The Walk Day 1
The first day was about 12 miles with the first part from Milngavie to Carbeth about 5 miles and the second towards Drymen about 7 miles. That night was camping at Drymen.
Jim: "Day one was an easy jaunt through Milngavie to Drymen, 11 miles or so and the heat was unbelievable but fantastic.
"The site at Drymen had poor facilities but when your tired from walking in the heat anywhere will do. A few of the guys went off to the pub in the village to watch the European Cup final but a few of us stayed back and watched the sunset and drank a few beers."
Day 1 photos
Sunday 23rd May - Day 2
This was a 12 mile hike with a couple of rough passages. Another overnight under canvas at Cashel campsite on the banks of Loch Lomond.
Jim: "Day two was again an easy-ish day with an 11 to 12 mile walk to Cashel Farm camp site, again the weather was fantastic and hardly a cloud in the sky."
Day 2 photos
Monday 24th May - Day 3
20 miles of rough and heavy going demanding an early start from Rowardennan to head for Inversnaid, 7 miles and 4-5 hours away. The next part from Inversnaid to Inverarnan was another 7 mile trek and into the wilds with no roads for the support vehicle.
Jim: "Day three was around twenty miles, very tough but my favourite part of the walk along the banks of the mighty Loch Lomond and again the weather was amazing.
"We camped that night at Inverarnan, the site was great and so was the bar!"
Day 3 photos
Tuesday 25th May - Day 4
An easy day as they headed from Crianlarich to Tyndrum. Camping that night was "rough" with no facilities.
Jim: "Day four was an easier day as it was over to Tyndrum.12 miles in all and, yes, the weather was still great and the scenery was getting better and better.
"Tyndrum was a hoot that night as we hit Paddys Bar, yet again most of us were on the sauce and they even had Marillion tunes on the juke box just to annoy Oncle Fish!"
Day 4 photos
Wednesday 26th May - Day 5
Jim: "Day five was started with a large breakfast at the hotel in Tyndrum and it was just what the doctor ordered, £5 for as much as you could eat!
"Definitely needed a breakfast like that as it was a 19 miler that day (and it was a tough one) but again the surroundings were awesome and the weather was still dry. Over to the Bridge of Orchy where we met Doug taking pictures.
"Then it was over the hill to the Inveroran Hotel for a pint of Crabbies, what a drink for quenching your thirst. If you haven't tried it, you should and make sure you get it with ice.
"From here it was a long slog up onto the Drovers road and up and over Rannoch Moor, it was now starting to get really cold as usual up there but at least it was still dry.
"So we all eventually made it to the Kingshouse Hotel and yet aagin there was a beer in there somewhere but well deserved. Budgie and Sue had the job of ferrying us all down to the Red Squirrel campsite and lifesavers they were as at this point. I think a lot of the folks were starting to tire and feet begining to hurt."
Day 5 photos
Thursday 27th May - Day 6
Jim: "Day six was a damp start but spirits high as every other day. We were joined by Dave Barras and Bear the dog from here, so Dave helped Sue and Ian ferry us all back up to the Kingshouse from where we left the day before.
"Today was a 9 miler, up and over the Devil's Staircase and it was lovely at this point as the weather had dried up.
"The weather (if you dont know) changes on a whim up here and it did, down it came and the temperature dropped rapidly but it certainly didn't hamper us cracking on down into Kinlochleven."
Day 6 photos
Friday 28th May - Day 7
The march into Fort William and the final day was a 16 mile walk.
Jim: "Day seven was a long haul to the finishing line in Fort William and by now a few in the group's feet were playing havoc, blister city. 16 miles to go and we were home and dry
"The last night was spent at the Lochy camp site in Fort William and most of us were really tired. Late nights and drink are a major problem with us lot you see, but we wouldn't have changed it for anything!"
Day 7 photos
Saturday 29th May - Home
Train from Fort William to Glasgow late morning after everyone had WHW stamps in their passports at the Tourist Board offices.
Jim: "What a fantastic group of people that came forward for this challenge and it was a pleasure to walk and spend time with you all week and look forward to meeting up with you all definitely in the future, i shall remember this for the rest of my life.
"As for our totals raised as a group for the charities I should hopefully have them soon so keep your eyes peeled!"
The walkers:
Jim Mitchell, Derek Dick (Fish), Derek Hughes, Tommy Cosgrove, Helen Donahoe, Iain Allen, John Davidson, Richard Gilbert, Jamie Symington, Nick Jefferson, Jo Vincent, Dirk Pagelow, Michael Welch, Paul Mc Cubbing, Stephen Phillips, Doug Hackett, Christoph Sahm, Jim Pender, Blair Pender, Sandy Black and Andy Clarkin. Support Vehicle Unit:
Ian Mitchell and Sue Arber
You can also read John Davidson's account of the walk on his web site.
A group of fund-raisers have just returned safely from a fantastic walk from the start in Milngavie in Glasgow to the end in Fort William otherwise known as the West Highland Way.
The following is a diary of the walk including quotes from Jim's blog.
Friday 21st May
There were two assembly points, one on the East coast in Haddington and the Bankell campsite for those heading up the West coast. Backpacks were picked up from Haddington by Ian Mitchell in a transit van and taken to Milngavie.
The "East Coasters" then traveled to Glasgow by rail and were picked up by minibus at the other end and delivered to the campsite at Bankell where they all stayed on the first night.
Jim: "Most of us met through at Onkle Fish's place on the Friday and what a fantastic day weather wise it was. Myself, Ian and Jim Pender picked up the van from GM Flooring in Linlithgow so it was up to Beecraigs to pick up all the pre-cooked food and beer. Through to Haddington to get the bags and meet some of the walkers. There was Derek Hughes, Nick Jefferson and Bella the dog (our mascot), Doug Hackett, John Davidson, Jo Vincent, Helen Donahoe, Dirk Pagelow, Christoph Sahm, Big John Davidson and of course Fish. These guys were catching the train through to Glasgow then over to the camp site at Milngavie where we were met by Iain Allan, Sue Arber, Blair Pender and Jamie Symington. Van unloaded, tents up and barbeque was all go, all the beer we had on the van was drunk that night - crazy but good."
Photos
Saturday 22nd May - The Walk Day 1
The first day was about 12 miles with the first part from Milngavie to Carbeth about 5 miles and the second towards Drymen about 7 miles. That night was camping at Drymen.
Jim: "Day one was an easy jaunt through Milngavie to Drymen, 11 miles or so and the heat was unbelievable but fantastic.
"The site at Drymen had poor facilities but when your tired from walking in the heat anywhere will do. A few of the guys went off to the pub in the village to watch the European Cup final but a few of us stayed back and watched the sunset and drank a few beers."
Day 1 photos
Sunday 23rd May - Day 2
This was a 12 mile hike with a couple of rough passages. Another overnight under canvas at Cashel campsite on the banks of Loch Lomond.
Jim: "Day two was again an easy-ish day with an 11 to 12 mile walk to Cashel Farm camp site, again the weather was fantastic and hardly a cloud in the sky."
Day 2 photos
Monday 24th May - Day 3
20 miles of rough and heavy going demanding an early start from Rowardennan to head for Inversnaid, 7 miles and 4-5 hours away. The next part from Inversnaid to Inverarnan was another 7 mile trek and into the wilds with no roads for the support vehicle.
Jim: "Day three was around twenty miles, very tough but my favourite part of the walk along the banks of the mighty Loch Lomond and again the weather was amazing.
"We camped that night at Inverarnan, the site was great and so was the bar!"
Day 3 photos
Tuesday 25th May - Day 4
An easy day as they headed from Crianlarich to Tyndrum. Camping that night was "rough" with no facilities.
Jim: "Day four was an easier day as it was over to Tyndrum.12 miles in all and, yes, the weather was still great and the scenery was getting better and better.
"Tyndrum was a hoot that night as we hit Paddys Bar, yet again most of us were on the sauce and they even had Marillion tunes on the juke box just to annoy Oncle Fish!"
Day 4 photos
Jim: "Day five was started with a large breakfast at the hotel in Tyndrum and it was just what the doctor ordered, £5 for as much as you could eat!
"Definitely needed a breakfast like that as it was a 19 miler that day (and it was a tough one) but again the surroundings were awesome and the weather was still dry. Over to the Bridge of Orchy where we met Doug taking pictures.
"Then it was over the hill to the Inveroran Hotel for a pint of Crabbies, what a drink for quenching your thirst. If you haven't tried it, you should and make sure you get it with ice.
"From here it was a long slog up onto the Drovers road and up and over Rannoch Moor, it was now starting to get really cold as usual up there but at least it was still dry.
"So we all eventually made it to the Kingshouse Hotel and yet aagin there was a beer in there somewhere but well deserved. Budgie and Sue had the job of ferrying us all down to the Red Squirrel campsite and lifesavers they were as at this point. I think a lot of the folks were starting to tire and feet begining to hurt."
Day 5 photos
Thursday 27th May - Day 6
Jim: "Day six was a damp start but spirits high as every other day. We were joined by Dave Barras and Bear the dog from here, so Dave helped Sue and Ian ferry us all back up to the Kingshouse from where we left the day before.
"Today was a 9 miler, up and over the Devil's Staircase and it was lovely at this point as the weather had dried up.
"The weather (if you dont know) changes on a whim up here and it did, down it came and the temperature dropped rapidly but it certainly didn't hamper us cracking on down into Kinlochleven."
Day 6 photos
Friday 28th May - Day 7
The march into Fort William and the final day was a 16 mile walk.
Jim: "Day seven was a long haul to the finishing line in Fort William and by now a few in the group's feet were playing havoc, blister city. 16 miles to go and we were home and dry
"The last night was spent at the Lochy camp site in Fort William and most of us were really tired. Late nights and drink are a major problem with us lot you see, but we wouldn't have changed it for anything!"
Day 7 photos
Saturday 29th May - Home
Train from Fort William to Glasgow late morning after everyone had WHW stamps in their passports at the Tourist Board offices.
Jim: "What a fantastic group of people that came forward for this challenge and it was a pleasure to walk and spend time with you all week and look forward to meeting up with you all definitely in the future, i shall remember this for the rest of my life.
"As for our totals raised as a group for the charities I should hopefully have them soon so keep your eyes peeled!"
The walkers:
Jim Mitchell, Derek Dick (Fish), Derek Hughes, Tommy Cosgrove, Helen Donahoe, Iain Allen, John Davidson, Richard Gilbert, Jamie Symington, Nick Jefferson, Jo Vincent, Dirk Pagelow, Michael Welch, Paul Mc Cubbing, Stephen Phillips, Doug Hackett, Christoph Sahm, Jim Pender, Blair Pender, Sandy Black and Andy Clarkin. Support Vehicle Unit:
Ian Mitchell and Sue Arber
You can also read John Davidson's account of the walk on his web site.
Sponsors
"Another Way Around" is a non-profit-making group; all proceeds go to charity.
Participants in fund-raising activities pay their own expenses and some costs are covered by sponsors. We are very grateful to them.
Contact Jim Mitchell or Ian Mitchell for more information.
