Ivel Valley Walkers.co.uk

Bedfordshire's largest and most active walking group

Day-5 Tyndrum to Kingshouse (19 miles)

This was to be a long days walk, nearly 20 miles mostly on old military road, hard on the feet, but with only one serious climb. The plan was to divide the day into four stages, the last two being the 10 mile crossing of Rannoch Moor a bleak and desolate stretch of moorland with no shelter for miles.

We finished breakfast and left the guest house for the first 7 mile stretch to Bridge of Orchy, the route along hard tracks followed the railway line and river for all the way. Steady rain was falling as we left Tyndrum climbing steadily up to the upper line. The rain was soon to stop and we were once again blessed with a windy but clear day.

on the path fromTyndrum we

passed these strange carvings

Just as we were leaving the hotel we passed Tillo on his way in, we suggested he might like to try the cake. Crossing over the famous bridge we turned right passing through the forest before climbing up and over Mam Carraigh, with its splendid views of Loch Tulla below, on the two mile stretch to the Inveroran Hotel for more tea and cakes (one does have to pace ones self).

The next stage took us along the road to Victoria Bridge, before the steady climb up to Rannoch Moor. Once at the top, the military road disappeared into the distance. The mist swirled around the mountain tops on our left, all around were peat bogs and water. We were lucky it was dry, but windy, you can imagine how bleak it would be in the rain. There was no one in sight as we proceeded on the long trek across the moor. Gradually more people came into sight, including two of the students we met the previous day.

We stopped about half way across, in a small hollow, to shelter from the wind, for lunch, before ascending the final climb. At the top we could see the Glencoe ski lifts in the distance. The Kingshouse hotel in its isolated position also came into view as we walked the long descent to our resting spot for the night. Tired and weary we arrived at the hotel at about 5.30'ish. settling down to our rooms to admire the views across the glen. Deer were grazing deer by the river just outside our windows.

There was no choice but to dine in the hotel so we sat down that evening to haggis and venison casserole. Later to be joined by the 5 students, Debbie & Mike and Tillo for drinks and to share the days experience.