L2L Day 68 Rowardennan - 16.5 miles to Inverarnan -

It was a midgy morning by the Loch. Neil and I decided on a full Scottish breakfast to sustain us for what is recognised as the toughest day on the West Highland Way.

After breakfast I caught up with the hotel manager, Reece. Originally from Essex and a keen walker, he'd done the WHW a few years ago and on seeing the setting of Rowardennan Hotel, decided that was the job he wanted. So here he is, running a tight and very happy ship. Quite a character with an interesting story.

The route runs almost the length of Loch Lomond with no access by road apart from the Inversnaid hotel at about half way. We'd seen signs showing a diversion while some path reconstruction was underway so with the first hour or so following forestry tracks, the first half was definitely going to be easier than last time.

It was still sufficiently wild for us to come upon a family of wild goats in the ferns above us.

We caught up with Jefferson and Jade from Oxford. Both biochemists, Jefferson works on the next generation of DNA sequencing. Jade has moved into the management of research projects.

They'd been camping close to one of the many streams and as the rain continued to fall during the night, they were concerned as the torrents grew louder. 

In this damp, warm environment the forest is full of fern and flowers - beautiful. After much deliberation, Neil and I decided that this was a vetch.

Everyone stops at Inversnaid - for a few minutes of sanity before the second half of the route with it's unrelenting steep ascents and descents, tree routes, slippery rocks and narrow gulleys. I recall it from last time as an assault course and it lived up to it's reputation.

Progress can only be slow.

For the last few miles, the walking became less challenging and the vistas opened up.

We caught up for a team photo with the girls from International Rescue.

Finally we crossed the river at Beinglas and happily walked the short distance along the main road to The Drovers Inn 

for the customary greeting from the bear in reception. I remember how it mauled Sally last time!!.

The lasting reputation of the hotel!

There was a number of us staying at the hotel with a few others camping at Beinglas.  It was great fun to share a multinational table with Julianne, Katelynn and Tara.

No evening would be complete without a whisky tasting - this evening's 4 candidates.

And of course, the bear eventually saw everybody safely home.

!!!

And then to bed.....

The sign on the back of the bedroom door!!!!