Day 58 (15.5 miles)

Kinlochleven to Fort William

Today was the last stage of the WHW and as it’s just a short day the experience wasn’t so much about the walk but the celebrations at the end with all the people I’d met along the way.

Whilst packing away the tent the ‘midgy nightmare’ began. They were everywhere. The main problems being, the campsite was right next to a river, it was a damp morning, there wasn’t a breath of wind. I couldn’t wait to get out of there (I was reassured later when one of the ‘Highlanders’ I met said they were as bad as they’d experienced)

The walk starts with a brutally steep climb out of Kinlochleven to join an old military road called ‘The Lairigmor’ it passes a few derelict farmhouses before entering a forest plantation near Glen Nevis. From here it’s just a short walk into town to one of the many hostelries to start the celebrations.

As we walked passed Ben Nevis I was torn. Should I climb it this afternoon in perfect conditions (hardly a cloud in the sky & no wind), or risk waiting until tomorrow when there’s a slight chance of a cloudy summit?

We (Andy & I) arrived at the finish line in Fort William at 2:15pm and went to a pub with a view of the finish. We had a few beers and something to eat whilst waiting for James, Peter & David to finish (3 Scots from the Highlands) then Scott & Heather from Glasgow and finally Zac (we’d walked with yesterday)

I lost count of the amount of beers I drank, but it was at least 7. Thanks to everyone for making the WHW experience such a laugh & so special (Good times)

I eventually got to Glen Nevis youth hostel at 7:45pm… after a quick shower I had dinner. Spaghetti & Meatballs + Treacle Sponge & Custard.

Very much looking forward to Ben Nevis tomorrow (fingers crossed for cloudless skies xx)

Some stats:
Mileage count: 1,027.8
Pint count: 220
economy: 37.4mpg
Malt Whisky count: 16