Words and pictures by Barb Millar
Just got home. Ready for a shower, some veggies , my own bed and could go again tomorrow. 7 days (3rd time)
Day 1- To Drymen camping.I enjoy this day. Easy walking, finding my trail legs. Good views do open up once over the road. Love the red house. Missed skeleton guy 
Drymen camping. A sound choice as always. I upgraded to a pod, choosing to ditch my tent. Brilliant night’s sleep, loved my own space.
Fab facilities with showers, and a drying area. Friendly reception. Fully recommend. Oh and got my pizza!
Day 2 – to Rowardennan youth hostel.
Enjoyable walk. Again finding my trail legs. These days prep you for what’s next. Weather held out for the Conic climb!
Speaking off. The work done on the hill path is fantastic. Again good grip on shoes is needed. However it’s so much easier going down and nice to not see a very erroded path!!
At Balmaha I walked towards the wee boat jetty and over the bridge avoiding the unnecessary steps and climb.
Youth hostel. It does what it needs to. Views are beautiful, the outside of the building is beautiful. Too cold for a water dip this year. I don’t love the actual hostel itself. No reason why either. No complaints though. Location is ideal. 3rd time there and would use it each time. Maybe it was just the snoring folks putting me in a meh mood lol.
Day 3 – To Beinglass. I love this section. It’s more technical and the challenge is enjoyable. Midges still kept at bay and weather OK. Previously the stretch from the end of loch lomond to the camp site felt really long. I told myself in advance, this section is long which allowed me to accept it and actually it passed quickly. The right grip on shoes/boots is everything on this section. Stopped halfway, enjoyed a cold drink. No issues with the hotel.
Ay Beinglass stayed in a tent box which was different and fun. Friendly welcome. They have all you need. Only moan is my shower was freezing! I gave it a few minutes and it didn’t heat up. I feel the showers could do with a wee upgrade overall as didn’t look the cleanest. Still, the place had all I needed and it’s a great stop.
Day 4 – to Bridge of Orchy. Traditionally I have split that section into 2.
Loved this day. In honestly when I got to Tyndrum the heavens opened so went for lunch and had a huge debate. I’ve walked it twice before and also Tyndrum to BoO as a day walk. In the end I decided it’s my walk, it’s not my first time, it’s about enjoying and so jumped on the train for those 6 miles 
Zero regrets. Other folk still had wet kit the next day.
Zero regrets. Other folk still had wet kit the next day.Stayed in the railway sleeper. Great night. Met a great group of people. We waved to folks on a train who grinned and waved back, so that was fun. I did have more shower issues though. It went back and forth from freezing to burning. So weird. Still a great stop, love it!
Day 5 – to Glencoe mountain resort.
Beautiful day weather wise. Was happy to see the lonely tree still standing! Gave it a hug again lol and said hello. It’s weird but it just made me happy to see it.
Beautiful day walking , great views. Also a short day. I was at the ski place by lunch time! Stayed in a pod, they let me check in early. Midges , still not too bad and normally they are horrible here!
Again all I needed at this place. Toilets in the main centre are open over night but there are also toilets in the lower end of the carpark for those in tents.
Did not go on the chair lift again. It terrified me last time!
Day 6. To Kinlochleven. I was ready for this. I am OK with the climb up Devils staircase but going over and down takes forever. I reminded myself it takes ages so just settle in and enjoy. Again like the section before Beinglass , it actually felt like it flew by this time. I was in Kinlochleven for lunch. Enjoyed seeing hikers sprawled about over benches. Stayed in a tentbox again. This is my favourite campsite. It looks great, it looks clean , it has all you need.
A lady did ask people not to dry stuff on the fence as they are trying to grow a hedge. I guess someone argued back about that as it got vocal. Maybe they need a sign up? Anyway, my favourite campsite of the trail.
Day 7. Fort William.
Up early and headed off, not ready for it to finish. Again it passed quickly. Weather still being kind. I decided to go left where the sign is and follow the military road down. Beautiful views but never again. It was very up and down! Still it brings you directly into town next to the statue. It did seem more sheltered so good on a bad weather day? Plus I hate the hill you go down on the regular way. Those stones are a nightmare. Speaking of stones, have they added some along that long stretch after the climb out of Kinlochleven?
I used bagged freedom again. Zero issues. Booked the return back to Glasgow with them also.
Comments
Vivien Chow
Hello thanks so much for the write up, very helpful. For Day 7 Kinlochleven to Fort William – I am also planning on using Baggage Freedom to get a lift back to Milngavie at the end of the day. So want to know how that experience went? Did you have to start the day super early to get to FW in time for the transfer? (Considering it’s scheduled for around 3-5pm) Thanks! Do u use a map or gps on phone? Thanks