” I must admit…..I did almost cry a little bit on your behalf when you said you were already an hour away….”
Staff member at the Station Hotel on returning my credit card to me which I had left in my hotel room
Distance: 24km
Why must we have these “life lessons”? These little errors that make you sick to the stomach, but ultimately don’t cost you anything? Honestly, my money card has been on my person like a bear to a honey pot. Why I didn’t pick it up this time, who knows? I guess it’s lucky that it only cost me a couple of hours, several extra kilometres and my pride. Lesson learnt. It won’t happen again (this trip!)
Luckily for me it was a very easy day. I’d designed it as such. As easy walk into the town of Pitlochry, an apartment and a rest day to follow. I’ve hit upon another day of perfect walking weather. Truth be told, the Scots are really starting to wonder what is going on. “Honestly, this has never happened before…in the history of Scotland!”. According to the weather forecast, I’m facing continuing perfect weather for another 10 days at least!
Primarily flat, I get more than a good look at the Tay River section as I go forwards, back and forwards again. The water is crystal clear and slightly brownish in colour due to tannins. Fish, I’m presuming to be salmon, jump over the little cascades on their quest to travel upstream.
After lunch, more of a physical challenge, the clear day paving the way for incredible views of the surrounding countryside from the top. I actually pass another hiker! Hooray! It’s a Pitlochry local who is taking on the Rob Roy Way trail whilst the weather is good. It’s great to chat for a bit and get his insights into the town.
Next, a downhill run through a lovely wooded area and I have arrived. After a few hassles getting into my apartment (the owner gave me the details for getting into a different apartment to that which I had booked. I did try contacting them with no reply – so ended up using the showers and all in the wrong apartment, before finally receiving a polite request to move to the correct apartment), I was in and settled. Washing on, feet up, and looking forward to a day of sight seeing and people watching in town.
This article was originally published on The Trek which can be found here