Morar, Loch Morar, Glen Pean, Glenfinnan,
Callop, Cona Glen, Corran Ferry, Gleann Righ, Glen Nevis, Fort
William, Scotland. Extract from an old diary. (5 day back-pack) Sat 22 Jan - Wed 26 Jan 1983
I spent another warm night but the wind and rain battering the
tin roof didn't help much. At times I thought the roof was about
to cave in. By morning the rain was still banging on the roof so
we had a leisurely breakfast as there was no point in rushing
out to get an early soaking. By 9 am the rain had just about
stopped so we set off in hope at quarter past.
Charlie and Dean outside Glen Pean Bothy.
The wind was still southerly making for another mild day. The
dark clouds scudded across the sky as we squelched along the
path down the Glen. Just over half a mile the path joined a
forestry track so the next couple of miles were fast and easy.
All the time the clouds threatened to dump their contents on us
but thankfully they didn't. To our delight we found that the
bridge at the bottom of Gleann Cuirnean existed so we didn't
need to indulge in another paddle. To all intents and purposes
there was no path up the Glen but we kept to the east side of
the river where there seems to be a faint hint of a path
occasionally. The ground was horribly wet all the way making the
going arduous. As we approached the path in Glenfinnan the way
became steeper and we were undecided which side of the river to
climb. At the base of the climb we crossed to the northside
where we found a faint path to the top where the wind hit us
with its full blast. At the Summit (471m) we carried on down
following an improving path into Glenfinnan. After a mile and a
half we came to an estate road but it was on the other side of a
wide river. Once again, nothing for it but boots and socks off
then wade across. Once on the track the going was unbelievably
easy and we sauntered down to Glenfinnan.
Glenfinnan Monument. In 1745 the Jacobite rising began
here when Prince Charles Edward Stuart ("Bonnie Prince Charlie")
raised his standard on the shores of Loch Shiel.
On the way we paused under the railway viaduct which we crossed
over on the train on the way in. At the main road I took a few
photos of the Glenfinnan memorial then we carried on to the
river near Callop. Crossing the bridge we set off up the Glen
keeping to the west side of the plantation. We had a good path
to follow but it was horribly wet over most of its length. It
had rained on and off all day but now it's started to pour down.
Above the plantation level we climbed steeply up and after
reaching the flat part of the Glen I sat down and waited for
Dean and Charlie. After some time I backtracked and met up with
them. Apparently Charlie had missed the correct path and gone up
the wrong Glen. I retraced again and we left the path for the
Glen floor where we found a nice pitch by the river. I cooked an
enormous meal as I hadn't eaten anything all day, the food was
almost overflowing our plates.
