Distance: 29km
It’s another dreamy morning. I savour it whilst it lasts. Finally, rain is predicted and it is due to arrive today. But for now I luxuriate in what could be the last of the sunshine, tent fly open, taking in the magnificent view whilst I have my morning coffee.
First up this morning is another mountain pass. I should never had said the trail was too flat! This is a very gentle rise however, and the distracting view helps keep short work of it. Over the other side, I tie myself up in knots a little bit, confusing one loch for another, but soon I’m on the straight and narrow and on the correct path.
It is interesting looking at the Loch Cluanie. It is abundantly clear that it is at terribly low capacity, the black markings on the sandy shores indicating where the water level sits normally. At Cluanie, it’s another pub lunch. Something I seem to be getting very good at! Let the tradition continue I say!
Feeling full, I lumber along the highway to the start of the trail head which will take me up a glen and eventually onto the Affric Kintail Way. As I go, it gradually gets boggier and boggier, the track becoming difficult to discern. At one point, I step onto what looks like solid ground, to find my leg up to the knee, and the bog threatening to rip my shoe off and take it into it’s grasp forever. I can’t help thinking how lucky I have been that it’s been so dry.
Just as the skies are starting to drip just a little, I reach the Camban bothy, sitting lonely and proud up on the moors. There are three Americans from Idaho, here to celebrate a 60th birthday, who have taken one room, but for now, I have a room all to myself.
The room ends up being filled with a German and two English fellows who come in late in the evening. Everyone is exhausted after pushing through various bogs, though we all arrived at the bothy via different routes. It’s going to be early to bed for all.
This article was originally published on The Trek which can be found here
Love the photos from this section, even if it was a slog in the bog! You haven’t encountered any of the dreaded midges as yet?? Might’ve been too dry for them, so hopefully the rain won’t spur on a hatching! And hopefully you survived sharing that bothy…. xx