Loch Tay
This walk completed the Rob Roy Way (RRW) with the section along the south of Loch Tay. The only reason I’m writing it is because it fills that gap: it isn’t a walk I’d recommend or repeat. Continue reading
Glen Ogle to Acharn
Southend to Machrihanish (Almost)
Carskey Bay
A Spring holiday in Kintyre gave us the chance to walk the final section of the Kintyre Way. The extended route is 100 miles from Tarbet in the north to Machrihanish in the south taking a meandering route across and down the peninsula. This last section is regarded as the challenging final section that goes into some remote country. Fortunately we had great weather as getting into bad weather here would be dangerous. Continue reading
Mull of Galloway
Mull of Galloway
The original idea while on a holiday in the Rhins was to do a section of the Mull of Galloway Trail heading north from the lighthouse. However, this seemed to follow the main road for a lot of the way and looked a bit dull compared to a circular route I found right at the end of the peninsula. It’s not everyday you can see five countries from one spot!
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South Queensferry to Leith
2.5 Forth Bridges
Crikey! A weekend with great weather? Well, we just had to make use of this, so with some clever planning Jazz and I could continue our march eastwards on the John Muir Trail from South Queensferry to Leith. It’s roughly 9 months since we were here and it’ll give us a chance to see how the new bridge is coming on. I’m no civil engineer but I think they need to fill in the gaps before it’ll be ready. Continue reading
Tighnabruaich to Portavadie
It seems like months since Jazz and I have done a walk worth writing about. A brief lull in the weather between Storms Gertrude and Henry gave us a chance to do the first section of the Cowal Way, although for boring reasons we did it in the wrong direction starting at the end of Tignabruaich and heading towards Portavadie where we were staying. Continue reading
East Neuk of Fife
St Monans harbour
When staying in St Monans on the East Neuk of Fife it seemed bizarre not to walk some of the Fife Coastal Path (FCP) as it passed 10m from our cottage. The plan was to walk from Fife Ness along the Forth coast to Earlsferry. This can be done in a day if you start promptly. However, the Brat was staying with us and “prompt start” obviously means “any time before noon” in student-speak. So we ended up splitting it over two days but the join is so seamless that you’ll never notice the photos switching from dusk to foggy day… Continue reading
Loch Katrine Circuit
SS Sir Walter Scott
This easy walk (and cycle for those, suitably afflicted) is a great day out in the Trossachs. It also helps that the first third is on board a lovely old steam ship who isn’t coy about letting you look at her shiny engine: yes, the SS Sir Walter Scott. And it helps to pick a calm day, as we did, so that the reflections of the woods and hills in the water is stunning. Continue reading
Sligachen to Elgol
Small Isles from Camusunary
You might remember the Colvend Coast claimed to be the best coastal walk in Britain. Now it certainly was great, but today’s walk easily beats it. With a bit of logistic skill the Missus dropped us off at Sligachen on Skye for a walk through the mountains to the coast on the other side and then a coastal section to Elgol. It might have been that we had picked a beautiful day, but this walk was simply stunning. Continue reading
Dun Caan circuit, Raasay
Jazz sniffing a Mermaid
I’ve always wanted to go to Raasay: it’s something about its love of repeated vowels, and the fact that it is a lovely place. A friend’s son spent most of his geography degree on the island so it obviously has nerd appeal too. And with yet another beautiful day forecast it was easy to tempt the Missus over: and I had a special cycling treat in store for her… Continue reading
The Last Bit of the Southern Upland Way
Berwickshire coast
This is one of those very rare posts where I describe actually finishing a long-distance walk. It is all the more incredible as looking back over these posts show that I started the Southern Upland Way over five years ago. I know I’m a slow walker but that really is glacial. Poor Jazz was barely out of puppy-hood when she started getting dragged along.
The official SUW distance is 212 miles but after 22 separate walks involving lots of circuits we took almost exactly 300 miles to complete it. And today was the last day from Longformacus to Cockburnspath and so something to savour. It’s such a pity that it was dire. Continue reading