20 May 2013: 28km. Started 08:45. Arrived 15:15.
Initially there was quite a long walk along pavements before the path turned sharply uphill on to a forest track, initially with views of Loch Ness and towards Urquart Castle. It was dry, warm but misty. I passed a sign saying that I was on the highest point of the Great Glen Way. After reaching a forest park, I turned off the Great Glen Way to head more directly north on a road. I was relieved to have reached that point without seeing the odd man from the previous day.
The road I walked along was quiet with good view of distant snow covered peaks; after this there was an unpaved road through an old “estate”. I was happy with my route choice until I had to turn on to an “A” road. For about two miles I was hopping up on to the verge as vehicles raced along the busy road. I hoped there wasn’t going to be much of this although I was aware that my new route did entail a lot more road walking. I was fortunate that after a bridge there was a pavement all the way to Beauly.
Beauly was a pleasant small town with a few hotels, post office, two Co-ops – one Scottish and one ordinary, other shops, plenty of places to eat, a ruined priory and a historic market cross. My booked B+B was in a side road and again I had a warm welcome.
Where's Kathryn? 