Blogs from The Highlands, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe - page 16

"The Scottish Government has announced new measures to ensure that stocks of haggis are reared along humane standards, ensuring a cruelty free environment and nice death. In a deal with the Scottish Greens, thought by commentators to be a trade off over the recent budget controversy, all Scottish caught haggis will have to achieve a live weight of 1.2kg before slaughter and be fed on a diet of worms and mixed grain. Haggis stocks are low due to a high uptake for Burns night and pressure from corporate shoots to provide plenty of entertainment for paying customers, though Haggis beaters, who depend upon the high volume, will be petitioning the Scottish Government on the issue. In other news, Afghan farmers will be selling Fair Trade heroin in selected outlets in Britain . . . . " ... read more

Kingshouse to Kinlochleven: 9 miles This day turned out to be the only rainy day I would encounter. It was also the most strenuous. We had to ascend the Devil’s Staircase, the highest point along The Way. It was so cold, windy and rainy. None of the walkers spoke much, we all just climbed, rested, passed each other, rested, climbed…. At the top, going around the bend, the wind hit so hard, I was afraid I would be knocked off the edge. Then came the descent into Kinlochleven. Mile, after mile, after mile, downhill. My knee was killing me. I was using my hiking poles for support. It took me forever to make it hobbling down the hill. I was passed by everyone, including an eighty-something man, carrying a full pack. I was pathetic. Finally, I ... read more

Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy: 7 miles Before heading out, I bought a roll of bandaids and some breakfast. My total was $7. The 7 miles from Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy was very level (only taking 3.5 hours to complete), running parallel to some railroad tracks. Because it was level my knee was good (until the descent at the end), but, of course, it’s always something. My big toe (on my right foot), that I stubbed hard on a rock on the second day, was throbbing with every step. I wished I was on one of those trains. I was seriously considering bailing on this hike. I ran into several people that were taking trains from one stop to another, instead of hiking. I was definitely tempted. I even went to the train station and ... read more

Rowardennan to Inversnaid to Inverarnan: 14 miles I had breakfast at the hostel ($8). It was continental, but we could go back for more. I loaded up. God, I love this being able to eat all I want, and still lose weight, thing. At breakfast, I talked to the 2 German women that I had passed yesterday on the trail. One of them was having all kinds of foot and knee issues. I also talked to the first soloist I had met so far, a bicyclist, no less. There were only a few of these. This one was going to have to ferry her bicycle for the second section of the day, Inversnaid to Inverarnan, because this section is said to be the most precarious. After breakfast, we bade our goodbyes ("see you on the ... read more

The West Highland Way, Scotland: 95 miles: I have wanted to walk the West Highland Way in Scotland since the first time I came here a couple of years ago. I found out about it through our couchsurfing host , Chris. Because there are no predatory animals in Scotland, I thought it would be a good place to do a long distance hike. When I was in Turkey, I decided that after Tricia and I finished our touring together, I would do it. Alone. I googled female walking the West Highland Way alone and only found a couple of entries, but from what I could tell, it seemed safe enough. I ordered a backpack, tent, sleeping bag, walking poles and started planning. I would also carry pepper spray, just in case. I became more and more ... read more