GLASGOW TO BRIDGE OF ORCHY

We’re a group of three now: Me, Marty, and Steve. We left Glasgow around noon today on the three hour train ride to Bridge of Orchy, in the Highlands. Bridge of Orchy is little more than a crossroads with a train stop, but it’s at the trailhead for the start of our walk along the West Highland Way.

The train trip started through the Glasgow suburbs, but gradually got into more rural and scenic country. The train went up the west side of Loch Lomond, then started a climb into the mountains of the Highlands.

The highlight of the Bridge of Orchy is the Bridge of Orchy Hotel. It’s an old inn that has been expanded over the years with more rooms to accommodate walkers and others traveling to the mountains of the Highlands. In spite of its isolation, it has really nice rooms, a good bar, and a great kitchen.  We got here in the middle of the afternoon, scouted out part of the trail, and basically got ready for the next walk to start tomorrow.

Tomorrow is a 12 mile day that  starts with a climb up into the hills, then a descent into Rannoch Moor, a long wide plain that we’ll follow for several miles along a centuries old military road.

We’ve been really fortunate with the weather since we ‘ve been in the UK. Tomorrow looks like we’re getting some payback. The forecast is for “persistent rain” throughout the day. It won’t be the first time we’ve put in a long day in rainy weather. You simply put on the rain gear and pack cover and go do it.