May 12, 2024

West Highland Way – Stage #3 – Balmaha to Rowardennan
Today’s miles: 8.0
Total miles: 29
Miles Remaining: 67 

Today was our easiest hiking day so far (tomorrow will be one of our toughest). It was nice to have an easy day for Mother’s Day. We slept in a little bit and then made our way up Loch Lomond from Balmaha to Rowardennan. Rowardennan is just a little bay and hotel with a campground next door. But it is beautiful. We have a very nice room on the top floor with views of the Loch. No elevators here; we hauled those bags up three flights. Always an inspiration to pack lighter…which we never seem to learn. Here is a beautiful picture out our hotel room window. 

We have told you about our traveling companions: Piranha (friend of Arlo and Dexter), Nessie (friend of Clementine) and Scotty (friend of Hank), that are traveling along with us. Here they are at Balmaha enjoying the beautiful evening and loch.

And we have to show you our delicious dinner from last night. It was a chicken and leek pie which was the best I’ve ever had. Roasted root vegetables and what seemed like a whole bag of baby new potatoes. Huge helpings and really delicious. And I tried a Scottish beer that was aged in whiskey casks. It was good.

I couldn’t help myself, the bluebells along the trail are so beautiful, I had to take another picture.

And a tree with fascinating fungus.

Piranha was getting really dry, and had been asking to go for a swim. So we stopped along the way for Piranha to try out Loch Lomond, he loved it. Scotty was lifeguard and Nessie got bored and slimed away to find a desirable wet, swampy place.

I also had to take a picture of this amazing tree.

Here we are at our destination after an enjoyable day’s hike. We are getting in a little better shape. Eight miles now seems like an easy day.

God bless,
Coe