Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Day 5 - Rannoch Forest to The Inn at Loch Tummel

The Campground was luxurious, because we had flush toilets! We awoke for our trek and were on the road at 8:40 am. The night proved chilly again- luckily tonight we are at our first hotel!!

Carol was right, the bird symphony began about 3:30 am!

Our first bit of road walking took us into Innerhadden village. We purchased food and re-supply medical gear. We both had a Coke- sugar and caffeine and cold!

We continued towards Crossmount cottages to pick up a trail leading past MacGregor’s Cave. The cottage keeper laughed when we told him we were headed to the Inn at Loch Tummel. He thought we were kidding and explained the grass seed he was just planting would be a foot and a half high by the time we arrived!!

We found the trail and saw the cave where the MacGregor clan hid while on the run many years ago.


The next part of our planned off route section proved to be quite challenging. The map definitely needs updating! After trodding through wet Heather we managed to find our way out. At the new junction- the cottage keeper explained our bridge had been gone since 2000. We arrived at a sign explaining the road was impassable to pedestrians. We didn’t even hesitate but continued forward. Going back may literally have killed us. Please note: if Kirsten and I were married, we might not have been after this section!

We walked along the aqueduct into Tummel Bridge. We have had horrible cell coverage most everywhere but in the midst of this forest section we were able to call Ken and JM using Whatsapp!

As we crossed the literal Tummel Bridge we had a fly by from two very low military jets (F16’s?). Pretty incredible.

We still had 10km of road to go. Please note, it isn’t usually 24C in May in Scotland!!! Crazy heat.

We slugged into our Inn at 5:45 pm. We have showered and eaten at the restaurant. So amazing. Loch Tummel is stunning. Hopefully we can appreciate this after sleeping in our bed!!!



Breakfast tomorrow and a short 12km to Blair Athol. We can’t wait to see Joyce!!

Status update- 133km finished

Favourite Gear
Kirsten- Vitamin I (ibuprofen)
Amanda - my newly acquired heat rub

Stay tuned for more Tales from the Isle. Our rhubarb crumble is about to arrive...

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