A Scottish Story – Day 19, Vast emptiness and people galore

Distance: 33km

The walk today was like a slow paced song that suddenly reaches a crescendo that just doesn’t stop.

It was really easy walking all day.  That is something that has surprised me about this walk, the flatness.  I’m sure I’ll probably regret saying this, but so far, serious hills have been few and far between.

The first half of day took me primarily along a seldom used by most people…but often used by one guy in a black, speedy 4WD vehicle….road, running adjacent to the rock pool infested River Tilt.

Again, it was hard not to have mixed feelings about what I was seeing.  So beautiful on one hand, but such an altered environment on the other.  Barely a tree in sight.

I had set myself a target of reaching “The Falls of Tarf” by lunchtime.  Right before they were due to appear, the track narrowed to a proper walking path, an ominous sign of good things to come. I sit on the vibrant green grass at the Falls, take my shoes off, soak up the sun and have a break.

From here, I am through the heather, gazing upon a wide watercourse, that strangely has no water in it, when it appears that it should. The Scots have been telling me that the weather is weird, that there is drought and wild fire occurring across the country. Here is the proof. No bog where there should be. No water on the plains. It still looks amazing, even if it’s not as it should be. I continue on to find another surprise.

There are people at the bothy! A tonne of them actually.  The annual TGO (The Great Outdoors) Challenge is on, and these people are all involved. It’s not a race, more an opportunity for people to get outside and enjoy nature and catch up with mates from previous challenges.  There are more than 350 people involved. I set up my tent and go inside to talk to those that are here.

We have a great laugh.  There is Duncan, from England, trying to complete his first challenge (after a broken foot last time round); Tim, also from England who is wearing a kilt and passing the whiskey around freely; Colin, an old hat on his 24th Challenge and ultra knowledgeable about all things Scotland; and, another fellow whose name I didn’t catch, but who did confirm that his son’s name was actually Harry Potter.  

It’s good they are here because it gives me the opportunity to ask them about something that had occured today that I had been unsure about….wondering whether it was just a “Scottish thing” or not. I tell them that just prior to lunch I had passed a guy in hiking boots and giant backpack, but nothing else.  

“What, he was nude”? “Yep”. “Did he say anything?” “Just hello”. The men look around at each other before there is uproarious laughter.  No, apparently that wasn’t “just a Scottish thing”. I guess it was just my lucky day….I suppose I did ask for romance…but not like this mate.  Definitely not like this.

This article was originally published on The Trek and can be found here