Epilogue - The Road Goes Ever On And On

I've been home for about 20 hours, many of them spent in a horizontal position.  :-P  I've done 2 loads of the most foul laundry I've ever had.  I've spent quality time with my cat.  And I've thought a lot about the past week.

I signed up for this trip even though it would be my 3rd time going to Scotland since 2008.  I wanted to see it in a different way, and I wanted to challenge myself.  Could I really WALK almost 100 miles in only 7 days?  Would I have to bail out and take a rest day?  Would one of my traitorous ankles let me down at a critical moment?

The answers, as it turned out, were YES, NO, and NO (there was a moment of treason done in grand, witnessed style, but fortunately not in a crucial area that sent me tumbling down the side of a mountain or splashing into Loch Lomond).

"Gentle" James Johnston is an excellent guide who really knows his stuff.  If anyone has the opportunity to do something like this with him, DO IT.  I promise you will not regret it.  Bear in mind a couple of small details, however - when he says that a particular destination is "not far at all", or if he makes the statement "shoot off down the glen" sound like a short stroll in the park, take it with a HUGE grain of salt.  Lies and deceit are considered encouragement (Right, James?).

Those walkers whose pace were closest to my own will be familiar with the term "consulting the Oracle."  The Oracle is this book:

West Highland Way 4th Edition

There were multiple occasions when the correct way wasn't obvious (ie. not a trail marker in sight).  We would reach one of these points, look around in confusion, and say "Let's consult the Oracle."  I'd pull it out of my jacket, find our X marks the spot, and we'd be off again.  This little book never let us down, although some mental adjustments needed to be made - the book is arranged for south-to-north walkers and we were the opposite.  If we knew people were behind us, we'd leave stone arrows to point out the correct direction.  In fact, James did it for us slower walkers on occasion.

Whilst spring was finally getting itself into high gear back home, there were signs of it in the Highlands as well.

From top to bottom: snowdrops, gorse, and Scottish primrose.

Some of the wildlife seen by myself and others included pine martens, red squirrels, pheasants, coal tits, robins, goldcrests, woodpeckers, feral goats, red deer, and a lone, VERY rare mauve tartan Scottish wildcat.

A few more photos for you:

James, this trip was the adventure of a lifetime.  I'm so pleased to have been a part of this inaugural Gentle James of the Glens' Wilderness Walks.  It's something I will never forget.  Thank you for showing us a unique view of your homeland.

The Road goes ever on and on

Out from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

Let others follow it who can!

Let them a journey new begin,

But I at last with weary feet

Will turn towards the lighted inn,

My evening-rest and sleep to meet.

 

J.R.R. Tolkien