The Great Glen Way Part 2

So Day 2, disaster struck. Struck Andrew's knee.  So we had a break on day 2 instead and went to the Loch Ness museum and FINALLY saw Nessie...

Shocking...

After this item was ticked off the agenda, Plan B was actioned. Basically we got to stay in the nice hostel (Morag's Lodge, if you're ever passing, is definitely a lodge to stay in) we were supposed to run to today, but by driving there instead of running. Well, I feel kind of guilty about that, but fortunately the feeling passed over a few games of pool in the pub, roast beef and red wine and a nights rest. That is the medicine for healing a knee.

It worked! Rose at the crack of dawn to begin day 2 again, and were off before the first rays of light had even begun to creep over the mountains. Something about running before it gets light. It's an ordeal to get out of bed, of course, but once you are I kind of get the shivers running into a new day in that weird blue-grey light. 

This was the route today, Fort Augustus at the west end of Loch Ness to Gairlochy 

Tough day of 25 miles! But every mile was delightful!

Lots of canal to start with, nice and flat. Running along the Caledonian Canal in the dark is certainly something. Especially when black sheep with horns jump out of the trees right in front of you! Was a tiny challenge after a few miles when after all of the heavy rains the canal was overflowing over a ford into the river below, so climbed along a fence across the water. Kind of wimpy, but the river was very close and looked mighty angry. Grand to reach the other side!

Then at the end of the canal and the start of Loch Oich, another obstacle. The path was closed due to storm damage! At least there is an alternative path along the other side of the loch. Alas, this one is longer and goes UP the mountain rather than along the side of the loch. Oich!

Quite a tough section up through more pine forests. Fallen trees along the path even here and many many trees have blown down. It would be terrifying to be up there in the storms. 

Tired at top of hill. Ate a fudge bar. Better.

Down a steep hill to Invergarry. It has a nice bridge and highland cows, and two new bungalows built right next to each other, which I thought was a bit weird with all this space surely you would want to be further away from each other. They must really like their neighbors. That's all I remember about Invergarry, because immediately after it there was a massive hill that went on for miles and miles. And miles. It's probably still going on somewhere. Thankfully there was Haribo Star Mix to power through. Blue gummy bears!? Never tasted so good!

Finally after what seemed like an actual day we reached Laggan Lochs, which on consultation of the map appeared to be only half way. I'm going to stop looking at the map. It's mean.

Half time was called and ham mayo and salad sandwiches eaten. Nom nom! Now entering the dangerous part....

Yikes. Let the second half commence. This was all along Loch Lochy. There are so many lochs in Scotland they must have run out of names by the time they got to this one. Although, I guess it is very like a loch, very much so, so the name is indeed fitting. It even has a beach (perfect for a picnic).

Loch Lochy is beautiful. I entered a positive phase for this part of the run, impossible not to be charmed by the scenery, even in the mist. In fact, the mist makes it even better, every so often a glimpse of the mountains above the mist is seen, like the glens are keeping their secrets, but letting you see a tiny bit. 

So, 25 miles completed upon reaching Gairlochy. Tough but brilliant days running.

Now to celebrate with FOOD at the Aonach Mor Hotel!!!