Photograph Gallery Stage 24 Inversnaid to Milton of Buchanan
Photograph Gallery Stage 24 Inversnaid to Milton of Buchanan, Thursday 16th June 2011
The Story:
After the last four miles of yesterdays stage I feared a brutal continuation of scrambles and clambering between rocks, between trees hanging onto the edge and through the narrowest gaps of a narrow undulating track. Instead I was presented with an easy walk through birch wood which is far nicer than walking through manufactured conifer plantations. It was divine and though the way level at first changed to up and down, some parts long and steep it was nevertheless an easy passage to Rowardennan. One point of note is that I stopped for a break at a place called Rob Roy’s Prison. It was a beautiful place to stop with superb views over Loch Lomond and I really enjoyed the views while taking my refreshment pitstop.
At Rowardennan I took another short break but while at Rob Roy’s Prison I resumed my walk with energy, after Rowardennan I resumed fatigued. The exertion of yesterdays stage, particularly the last mad four miles had caught up with me. However knowing I was still behind the schedule I set myself in the itinerary and also aware I was free of a weighty backpack I pushed myself on. Fortunately the continuation was relatively easy and also pleasing through lovely birch woodland to Rubba Fhuar a Chos, another beauty spot by the banks of Loch Lomond. Then Ross Wood an equally divine section of woodland provided incentive to continue further to Sailochy and then more woodland to Blair before a short roadside passage led me to more woodland walking to Arrochymore Point. I was almost spent now though and it was a very weary Walking Englishman who arrived at Pass of Balmaha, the place where I saw the last of Loch Lomond. Still I wasn’t finished though and with Lil parked waiting to pick me up I urged her to let me walk on for another 15 minutes before driving to where I was and picking me up. I somehow motored on and managed a further mile to Milton of Buchanan. I had completed over sixteen miles, half easily, half not so. Yet the legs were ok, and the feet too. Tired and steaming but not in pain. I was glad on achieving the distance too, rain is forecast tomorrow. I was also very satisfied with the landscapes, excellent views had and pleased to make a two day passage of Loch Lomond. It was a good day.
The Photographs:
The walk began well from Inversnaid
Loch Lomond
The track near Craig Royston
Loch Lomond as seen from Rowchoish
Woodland near Ruadh Bhruach
The view from Toll a Bhruic near Rob Roy's Prison
The track near Rowardennan Lodge
Woodland in Ross Wood
Loch Lomond at Arrochymore Point
Conic Hill near Balmaha
Who's he looking at?
Milton of Buchanan