Hullo. How are you? I hope you are having a good day. I’m Mark and I’m walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats…
I had a very tasty breakfast at the excellent B&B Allt na Leven, which ranks amongst the best accommodation of the trip so far. If you are visiting Kinlochleven, I’d highly recommend staying here. The place is run by a friendly and professional couple, who made me feel very welcome and provided a great service.
Leaving Kinlochleven, the West Highland Way immediately climbs up into the hills and away from the village. This first 1000 or so feet of ascent is dealt with in the first few miles and wanders through woodland before emerging into open vistas of the surrounding mountains.
As ever, the West Highland Way was very busy today with people from all around the world, including some large groups of Americans who all seemed very excited about this being their last day of hiking.
This final leg of the West Highland Way passes through a whole range of Munro mountains, meaning the views all day are spectacular.
Once up in the hills, the walk is an easy affair, though the loose gravel does at times slip away underfoot and care needs to be taken at times. I chatted to all sorts of people today, including a family from Devon who were making slow but steady progress along the trail. The eldest in their party was the 79 year old grandmother and the youngest a five year old boy who seemed to be having a ball.
Around eight miles into the walk, Ben Nevis comes into view – or, at least, its lower section does before the majority of the mountain disappears high into the clouds.
Before long, I was dropping down through a pine forest towards Glen Nevis, where I joined the road for the remaining short walk into Fort William.
Arriving into Fort William marks the end of the West Highland Way and the departure of many of the people I have repeatedly met over recent days, who all seemed in perfect agreement that carrying on to John O’Groats is a bonkers thing to be doing!
I checked into the hotel and, in a change from my evening routine, decided to have a trip to the very lovely Highland Cinema to stuff my face with popcorn and relax in front of a movie for a while.
The Day 54 Vlog
Fundraising for MacMillan Cancer Support
As I walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats, I am hoping to raise £10,000 for MacMillan Cancer Support, who do such a wonderful job of supporting families through the most difficult times. If you are able to spare any amount and would like to donate to MacMillan, please do so through my Just Giving Page.
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