John o’ Groatsto

Land’s End

Challenge Walk

May 13th 2010 – July 5th 2010

Part 1

Phil Midge Tess Brian Mark

Phil Midge Tess Brian Mark

1,388 miles to go . . .

1,764 miles to go . . .

Duncansby Head

1,764 miles to go . . .

Duncansby Head

The most north-easterly tip of Great Britain

Stacks of Duncansby

Bay of Sannick

Flow country, Sutherland

Stuart Brian Tess

Midge

River Halladale

Gearnsary Bothy

Loch Choire

Falls of Shin

Carbisdale Youth Hostel

Deannich Lodge

Strath Rannoch

Croick churchyard

In May 1845, 22 evicted families spent a week sheltering under blankets in this churchyard. They refused to desecrate the Church by sheltering inside . . .

In May 1845, 22 evicted families spent a week sheltering under blankets in this churchyard. They refused to desecrate the Church by sheltering inside . . .

They were only a few of the tens of thousands displaced during the Highland clearances.

Gleann Mor

Their deserted crofts remain . . .

Rogie Falls

Black Water,Ross and Cromarty

Glen Ord distillery

Glen Ord distillery

The first of three distillery visits . . .

Beauly Abbey

Beauly AbbeyBuilt in 13th century, and oftenvisited by Mary, Queen of Scots

Loch Ness

Replica Bronze Age hutat Aberchalder

Great Glen Way,first of six National Trails

Urquhart Castle

Urquhart Castle

Captured by Edward 1 in 1296,but later retaken by Robert the Bruce

Southern end of Loch Ness

Fort Augustus

The Caledonian Canal

The Caledonian Canal

Designed in 1803, to give the Royal Navy safe passage from Napoleonic warships.

The Caledonian Canal

Designed in 1803, to give the Royal Navy safe passage from Napoleonic warshipsCompleted in 1822, seven years after Waterloo, and never really used

Well of the Seven Heads

Well of the Seven Heads

Commando Memorial,Spean Bridge

During WWII, the commandos were based at nearby Achnacarry House

Commando Memorial,Spean Bridge

Neptune’s StaircaseFort William

Loch Linnhe

Inverlochy Castle

13th century castle won by Robert the Bruce.

Inverlochy Castle

13th century castle won by Robert the Bruce.Also the scene of a significant victory of Montroseover the Covenanters in 1645

Inverlochy Castle

Ben Nevis Inn, 10pm

Kinlochleven

Kinlochleven

The town was largely built by the British Aluminium Company in 1907.

Kinlochleven

The town was largely built by the British Aluminium Company in 1907.Production ceased in 2000

Kinlochleven

The town was largely built by the British Aluminium Company in 1907.Production ceased in 2000 and the town lost its soul.

West Highland Way

Devil’s Staircase

Buachaille Etive Mor

Glen Coe

Blackrock Cottage

River Orchy

Bridge of Orchy station

. . . now a unique hostel

Holy Pool of St Fillan

Holy Pool of St Fillan

Immersion is said to cure insanity . . .

Strath Fillan

Loch Lomond

Feral goats

Feral goats

Descended from goats leftbehind by 19th century

crofters

End of Part 1