10 May 2013: 25km. Started 08:45. Arrived 17:30.
The day dawned sunny, warm and still. The loch looked beautiful when I popped out before breakfast to post a letter and buy a sandwich. That was when I realised the stunning location of the hotel. I could see small islands on the loch and was surprised to discover that some are inhabited.
I was keen to enjoy the better weather so had eaten my breakfast and paid my bill by 08:45. Unfortunately the weather was not to last. It had clouded over by the time I reached Rowardennan Forest and by the time I had eaten lunch a little further on it was raining properly. The rain became more and more heavy. Moreover the path became more rocky, uneven and precarious so my pace slowed dramatically.
Eventually the massive hotel at Inversnaid came into sight. My difficulties were not over as I had to climb to cross the dramatic gorge with impressive. crashing waterfall, heard before it was seen. Fortunately there were two footbridges enabling me to cross the raging torrent, doubtless swollen by the recent rain.
Why such an enormous hotel here, almost five miles down a narrow unclassified road with alternative access by boat across Loch Lomond or on foot along the West Highland Way? The answer is that the hotel is owned by a company that organises coach holiday packages and there are only a minimal number of standalone bed and breakfast rooms available. It was all incredibly good value. The meals were in “sittings” at specific times. Fortunately I managed to persuade the staff to swap me to the earliest breakfast sitting. It was all extremely regimented and I am sure I was the only person staying there under the age of sixty and one of the few under mid seventies. However I had a huge triple bedded room to myself with plenty of space to dry out my kit. I did not attend the evening entertainment included in the price!
Where's Kathryn? 