Today we were driven along Loch Ness and then up into some elevation to Loch Laide, near the Abriachan Forest Trust. We were dropped there to hike back the 20 or so kilometers along the Great Glenn Way, back to Inverness.
Into the forest we go, lose our minds and find our souls....
It was beautiful and peaceful.
It was not wet under foot but lush and green. Mosses and fungi all around.
And some Fall colours were starting to show.
The trail took us out on some quiet roads and well defined paths. Very easy walking, we were averaging almost 5k per hour.
We had sun on our backs and enjoyed not wearing our rain coats today (yes they were in our packs, we are in Scotland so you just never know).
Much of this forest, and the tree covered hills we could see, were tree farms, planted in rows and evidence of harvesting littered some hill sides.
The trail markers were few and far between but we only needed them at a fork in the road. We saw a few other hikers today, and today we saw cyclists too. This quiet road was finally a safe place to ride, and some mountain bikers were taking advantage of the hills and forest paths.
So many trees had fallen over, exposing a shallow root base. We wondered why so many were down, it didn't seem to follow any pattern (ie it wasn't like the path of a strong wind). Curious.
We walked beside an ancient stone wall. It was our companion for many kilometers and was a source of beauty and awe as it went on and on, straight and intack. We would love to know its history and who choose each rock and its position. Who had such strength and skill to make it stand so strong all these years?
We caught site of the outskirts of Inverness, and the path began to descend.
It was a day of colours. The sky was mostly blue, the forest many shades of greens and browns and then there were the lovely flowers along the way.
Clockwise.
Scottish thistle, a Hawthorne tree laden with red berries, yellow flowers called Gorse - a very prickly bush, (the last of the purple) Heather, and Holly trees.
As we got into a more populated area we crossed paths with a cat who came right over to us, as he had a lot to say.
Back to underpasses and sidewalks.
The Inverness Castle.
The bridges over the River Ness.
By the time we took our backpacks off we had hiked our longest day at 26 km. Time for a rest, a tea, and a cookie (or two) before showers and dinner.
We had a nice change from local fare and found ourselves at a Spanish Tapas Restaurant. It was absolutely delicious - paella, churros and so much more.
Tomorrow we are off to Blair Atholl for our final two days of the Grand Tour.
Thanks for coming along on the adventure.
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