Day 6 - Kinlochleven to Fort William - 14 miles

Had a wonderful meal out in the pub last night. Food and service was excellent. Met some other walking acquaintances from previous days. It's surprising how you don't see them for a couple of days, then just meet up.
Before I started had chat with son - well it is his birthday - he is in Estonia for the day. Mmmmmm can I walk there?
Anyway, international affair at breakfast time. The owner had put a nationality flag on each table, so that we knew where we were from. Well I knew where I was from. Don't know if the others knew.
Walked through the town in the sunshine. Yes sunshine!
up to the forest start. I know why they put a forest there - to hide the blooming big hill we had to climb through it. Not a good start to the day! De ja vous?
Anyway, onwards and upwards, Took ages. For one, the legs didn't want to wake up this morning, and another wasn't used to the heat of the sun on our backs.
We made it eventually, and what a reward. The scenery was spectacular!
Great views of the full length of Loch Leven and surrounding hills (which I can't remember their names). There are so many hills, its impossible to remember them. Anyway, if you've seen one hill you've seen them all! (And walked up some)
The path from the top was a lovely, long and beautiful. Called The Larigmor,
or The Big Pass,a big wide barren mountain crossing showing true Scotland.
This took well over an hour to walk,and so we could savour the last of the last of the Highlands, we decided to have our lunch out there. We found a nice little spot and settled down.
We also had to walk facing the oncoming walkers doing the Caledonian Challenge, which is a 54 mile walk from Fort William. You could tell the professionals. Off like rockets. Obviously some army guys in there too, jogging as tho they were off for a warm up. By the latter end of the group tho, you can tell the wee young Bravehearts who had obviously boasted about being fit and able. 'We can do that, easy!' Fools! They thinks it's a doddle. Half don't even have the correct gear.
One guy passed us in a luminous orange full body lycra suit! Well at least they would be able to find him on the hills! What did he think he looked like, wish I had taken a picture! especially, as he seemed to have forgotten his underwear underneath it! lol
Russell and son Cameron joined us for lunch. We have met them often on the walk, and had a fair bit of banter with them. Had a meal with them the other night too.
Russell is a very dry character. His son, is a lovely shy teenager, who probably thinks we are quite insane!
Off again, we then slowly descended towards an 'Half way to Fort William' sign, stuck there for all to see. Also it tells you, you can take a short cut if you walk on the road. I've come this far, not going to cheat now. This half is supposed to take you through lots of forests and plantations, but the have felled most of the trees. It is now horrible, and ugly. Don't know why they have done that, but they need to do something about it.
We walked through Nevis forest though. That was good, very dense and smelled lovely with all the pine. This is where you had to spy your chance for a quick loo stop! First one since setting off early morning. 'I know now why the do the Highland Fling - you are dancing by the time you find somewhere to go!'
Once through the forest tho, after still more climbing through the trees, you came to the top and lo and behold,there in the valley down before us was Fort William. About an hours walk away.
This is the point where I felt sorry for Kate and Wilma, cos I know there emotions would be mixed. Glad they had completed their first distance walk, but sad the walk was over. I will be like that next week.
Anyway, we walked on, downwards all the way. The last part, the last mile was on hard pavement, after having left the tracks. This is a killer on your feet after being used to country walking. It makes the soles of your feet burn, and it seemed to last forever. However.......we made it. Right up to the West Highland Way finish post. What a feeling. Photo shoot time. Cameras to the ready.
We agreed to meet for our last meal together, they were back home to Northern Ireland tomorrow, and also in separate digs for the night.
Anyway, like you do after walking all day for 14 miles, we decided to walk round Fort William and explore. Not a bad little place, Very busy with tourists and walkers. We had a celebratory pint each, had a nice meal together and walked back to our digs. Said our goodbyes, and promised to keep in touch.
Tomorrow..........start of a new walk The Great Glen Way. Starting right here on the front at Fort William. Watch this space!