After a decent sleep (once I’d moved the intermittently glowing bug light to the other side of the room) I woke feeling refreshed, if a little in need of another hour or two in bed. Had a good Scottish breakfast to set us up, blethered to other walkers, then thankfully someone announced they needed to get ready as their bag was picked up anytime after 9 am. Had they not said that I may have been pulling mine all the way to Tyndrum as Travel-lite arrived not long after that!
A Driech Start
Contrary to the forecast, there was a fine drizzle and a driech sky. I have to say this was rather refreshing in comparison with the mugginess and sunshine of the last couple of days. We didn’t need waterproofs as it was really mild and as we headed off we met and chatted to a couple of women which passed a mile or two.
The fine drizzle became a bit more persistent so we stopped to put on jackets and rucksack covers, not wanting to end up too wet as we lacked a change of top.
The going was good, firm paths and easy walking, all the more so after yesterday’s slog along the shores of Loch Lomond. The views were great despite the low clouds and we soaked up the scenery, pausing to look around often.
It was interesting to see the changing landscape. One of the last times we passed along this way was after a big storm that had wreaked havoc upon this cottage, the erosion of the path further along still evident from where the river was rapid and high.
We tracked the river for a while before heading under the railway line and gradually climbing up.
Looking in all directions the views were stunning, the cloud highlighting the mountains around.
Before long we reached my favourite tunnel and then headed up yet more.
Again, looking back the views were beautiful, all the more so with the height we were gaining.
Continuing on we caught up, chatted to and passed various groups of walkers. I love meeting folks and finding out where they’ve come from. Today we met a few folks that had just started their walk, definitely choosing the best part of the way to do.
The whole thing is great, but if you’re going to miss a bit in my opinion it would always be the lowland, much preferring the mountain scenery.
We headed into the forest and thankfully the rain had stopped. The upside of this was that we were able to ditch the jackets and it was quite cool, the downside being that the midges descended en masse if we stopped for more than a few seconds!
Stopping at the high point for a snack I looked forward to a coffee stop at the Strathfillan Wigmans. This sustained me over the ups and downs of the forest. My disappointment on reaching the wigwams to find them closed was palpable. However, we had a seat and a snack, the birds grateful of a few crumbs.
Beyond Strathfillan it was an easy couple of miles to reach Tyndrum, walking alongside the river. We met the cutest spaniel puppy here, definitely one of the highlights of the day!
An easy walk through the woods led us to Tyndrum, a welcome sight.
We walked round the path that led out at the wee shop before heading back along for coffee at the Real Food Café. Here we bumped into the Americans that we’d met in Drymen, a very lively bunch, who were chuffed to meet again, all the more so as they shared “we’ve got Jen!” (our walking buddy from yesterday) who met them on the wee ferry across the loch.
The Social Scene
We ended our day in the Tyndrum Inn, initially with Tommy who’d put in another sterling effort, then Jen who joined us again as he left. We saw our evening out chatting to a group of young lads who we met at Beinglas.
A really lovely day all in all. Feet are fine, legs are bearing up. We go again tomorrow!
Clare, happiest outdoors! 
Sounds like a great day.
LikeLiked by 1 person