Lands end John o groats (walking) LEJOG

[i4got]

Bannock said:

I'm inured to the Belhaven Best/Caledonia Best/McEwans 60, 70, 80 Bob etc, but yeah if your palette is cultured to real ales it's like going back to the 70s, having to drink that keg stuff. I can switch off my real ale receptors when I'm up there and drink plenty of that dead keg stuff with a a fair amount of enjoyment, but I completely understand where you're coming from (I don' tmean Land's End .

If you spot a Glengoyne whisky, may I recommend you take a sample?

I certainly will.

[i4got]

Last few days videos for those who haven’t already seen them.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vPOpZPdNoEq

https://www.relive.cc/view/vdvmK21E4x6

https://www.relive.cc/view/v36APX1drZO

https://www.relive.cc/view/vQvxnNjpNB6

https://www.relive.cc/view/vevWQjyMny6

[i4got]

Boringvolvodriver said:

Good progress being made I see.

How many more miles left - Scotland is a pretty big place - Google says 350 miles from Gretna Green but I suspect your route will be longer to avoid (as much as possible) the hills.

Not really certain on mileage remaining. I reckon 30 more walking days.

So far I’ve done 47 walking days and average is 15 miles a day.

If the average remains the same then around 450 miles to go giving a total of 1150.

I thought I would come out between 1100 and 1200 so looking fairly accurate.

[i4got]

Large Glengoyne while I ponder some big changes as a result of the first couple of days of walking in Scotland.

[i4got]

There’s no getting away from the fact that the first two days in Scotland have been pretty rubbish. Virtually all day walking alongside roads or even when I get off the main roads its more tarmac.

I’m getting the impression that when I’m not on a proper trail there just aren’t enough scenic or off road routes between towns and villages.

I’m concerned that getting from the Southern Upland Way at Peebles through Inverleithing to the Cairngorms is going to involve a lot of time on the road and that's just not an enjoyable walk. I’m doing this to enjoy it not as some kind of endurance test.

So I've decided to change route after tomorrow at Moffat and head up west Scotland rather than east.

I’m going to head for Glasgow and walk up the West Highland Way to Fort William then up the Great Glen Way to Inverness.

Hopefully this will mean that I only have about 3 days of dreary walking to get to Glasgow then its easy street off road mainly all the way to John O Groats.

Tonight I need to do some major replanning but I’m confident it’s the right call. I don’t want to finish this and think I walked some great B roads in Scotland when it has so much more to offer.

Now back to the whisky.

[i4got]

Bill said:

And the kilt??

Sounds like the right call to me!

Unfortunately I don’t have the legs to carry it off. My dad once described them as “Two woodbine hanging out of a packet”.

Only understandable by old smokers.

[i4got]

Mr E said:

Some of my mates might (hopefully) catch you.

I suspect they die on the first hill.

https://www.cyclistsfc.org.uk/magnificent7.php

Fantastic. I’ll watch out for them.

[i4got]

Bannock said:

Hope the Glengoyne hasn't slowed you up too much!

I was surprised to hear your woes regarding lack of off-road routes, but then thinking about it maybe it's because in that part of the world people are more walking east-west rather than north-south, so not many vertical routes? Maybe. Is it just that there are fewer footpaths in Scotland than England overall I wonder, different land accessibility laws or something? I'd always assumed it was easier to go cross country on foot in Scotland, maybe that's just in the Highlands though rather than the farming country south of the central belt. Dunno, I'm just a fat lazy knacker who has only ever driven around Scotland. Hope things improve for you and the new route pans out.

Think theres a not of truth in what you say (not the fat lazy knacker bit) - I think it will change as I get further north. It does seem that farms generally have fewer paths crossong them than in England. I think paths over open access land are more common.

Today I did my first hop over a fence and head in the right direction. It was not a good experience - boggy, muddy and full of gorse. Although it worked out in the end, I’ll think twice before doing it again.

[i4got]

Just outside Lanark now. For those who don’t know where that is (like me until 2 days ago) it’s about 30 miles south east of Glasgow.

Walking for the last few days has been a mixed bag. Lots of lanes and roads mixed with the odd farm or open access land path. Weather is weird - got a good soaking today
But looking ahead of me blue skies.
Never seen so much rain with so much blue in the sky.

Apart from Moffat not much luck in finding camp sites so having to slum it in b&b’s

Three more days walking to the start of the West Highland Way then a couple of days off in an Airbnb in Glasgow with my wife.

Looking forward to giving my feet a bit of a rest and also looking forward to starting a real Scottish trail.

Having some success in ticking off Scottish delicacies. Black pudding, square sausage, shortbread, tattie scones, irn bru, haggis. Still on the to do list - scotch pies and snowballs.

Tonight I’m having Black Chicken - chicken, Stornaway black pudding in a pepper sauce. Delicious.

Edited by i4got on Tuesday 24th May 19:07

[i4got]

Walker to Milngavie the start of the West Highland way this morning. Now got a couple of days off staying in Glasgow with my wife before setting off on the WHW on Tuesday morning.

800 miles done and I reckon 300 to go over 20 walking days.

As luck would have it the place I’m staying is in George Square overlooking a big Wetherspoons called the Counting House so it will be getting my custom.

I’ve been following on FB and frequently in reality, a guy doing LEJOG a few days ahead of me. Yesterday he posted that his feet are shredded and he’s given up the walk 2 days short of Fort William. Must be gutting.

However it made me realise that I had 2 very long days (18/20 miles) on the WHW and it seems progress can be slow and tough so I’ve added in an extra stop to bring my average on the WHW down to 14 miles a day.

I don’t want to get this close and fail by trying to overdo it on one of the hardest sections of the walk.

[i4got]

irc said:

i4got said:

As luck would have it the place I’m staying is in George Square overlooking a big Wetherspoons called the Counting House so it will be getting my custom..

I've had a few works nights out there over the years.

As you pass through Milngavie you'll pass within a mile of my house. I know the area pretty well from Milngavie to Fort William along the WHW.

If you are camping - the Loch Lomond National Park wild camping ban only extends to Ptarmigan Lodge 1 mile north of Rowerdennan. After that there are a few nice wild camping spots not effected by the ban.

If you need any advice on Glasgow City Centre to Milngavie routes let me know.

I did the walk to Milngavie yesterday. First half I used Kelvin walkway along the river up to Bearsden. Then just joined the main road for the rest. Pretty decent walk and only 10 miles.

I’ve got camp sites, hostels and one b&b sorted which leaves me with one night to wildcamp - which is outside the banned area.

[i4got]

Bannock said:

When you get to Drymen, OP, The Clachan Inn is a must see, oldest pub in Scotland. Did a mean chicken stuffed with haggis last time I visited. Give the ruins of Buchanan Castle a wave for me, home of my ancestors. As was The Clachan, I expect.

Booked into the Clachan Inn for dinner tomorrow. Only pain is that my camp site is a mile or so short of Drymen village so I’ll have a couple of miles to walk out and back for dinner. It’s not a particularly long or arduous day do hopefully not a problem.

[i4got]

Walking the West Highland Way from Milngavie to Drymen and what’s that a couple of hundred yards off the path? The Glengoyne distillery so popped in for some provisions.

[i4got]

Bannock said:

i4got said:

Bannock said:

When you get to Drymen, OP, The Clachan Inn is a must see, oldest pub in Scotland. Did a mean chicken stuffed with haggis last time I visited. Give the ruins of Buchanan Castle a wave for me, home of my ancestors. As was The Clachan, I expect.

Booked into the Clachan Inn for dinner tomorrow. Only pain is that my camp site is a mile or so short of Drymen village so I’ll have a couple of miles to walk out and back for dinner. It’s not a particularly long or arduous day do hopefully not a problem.

Wahay, hope they don't let me down and you have a great dinner. They do B&B rooms too you know, just in case...

Usually a good selection of variously aged Glengoynes behind the bar.

Billy Connolly lived in the village for a while, though most of the locals used to hate the bugger. Spent far too long in The Clachan apparently IYSWIM, in the days before he gave up the boozes.

Edited by Bannock on Monday 30th May 16:07

Top recommendation. I was expecting something a bit touristy and tartan but its a proper pub. Got offered tasters of the two real ales, black pudding and haggis fritters to start followed by that other Scottish staple Mac & Cheese with garlic bread (chips were on offer but thats a step too far in my book)

I’m glad I booked a table - it’s rammed.

[i4got]

It’s been a while since I posted some videos. Here are the first 4 days from the West Highland Way.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vYvrL8QMWL6

https://www.relive.cc/view/vrqDA22Pwwv

https://www.relive.cc/view/vNOPo5jy3Yv

https://www.relive.cc/view/vevYokgwKJ6

The walk from Carlisle through south Scotland was starting to get me down (hence the route change to get off the roads).

What a success the route change was. Great walking - tough at times but those are the best types.

Weather has been great so far - today has been like Costa del Sol. No midges yet so all in all pretty perfect.

I booked 3 campsites, 1 hostel and one pub with 1 night wild camping.

Some great pubs, plenty of friendly other walkers of all nationalities.

And a little pic of my Glengoyne nightcap at last night camp.

[i4got]

Rest day in Fort William.

Finished the West Highland Way yesterday. Fantastic walk but tough in parts and superb weather start to end.

It was strange after so much solo walking to be walking with the same people day after day. Its surreal walking into a pub in the middle of nowhere and knowing half the people in there. Felt like Norm arriving in the Cheers bar.

I’ve just gone through 900 miles - so about 220ish left. It feels like the end is in sight.

The weather is due to break in the next couple of days so probably back to rain gear on the next stage the Great Glen Way. Four long days to Inverness due to shortage of places to stay. Got one hostel and one camp site booked. Theres also a shortage of places to eat or shop so I’ll have to carry a bit more food and water.

Today I’ll be looking for a laundrette, hair cut & shave and this evening probably meet up with a few of the people I’ve been walking with the last week.

I’m booked into the Travelodge and didn’t check its location. When I arrived at the WHW end point, my hotel was 10 yards away with a Spoons next door. Perfect way to end the walk.

Yesterdays walk…

https://www.relive.cc/view/vPOpZxxVVEq

(Oh and thanks to Tom on here for the JustGiving donation)

[i4got]

thebraketester said:

i4got said:

Rest day in Fort William.

Finished the West Highland Way yesterday. Fantastic walk but tough in parts and superb weather start to end.

It was strange after so much solo walking to be walking with the same people day after day. Its surreal walking into a pub in the middle of nowhere and knowing half the people in there. Felt like Norm arriving in the Cheers bar.

I’ve just gone through 900 miles - so about 220ish left. It feels like the end is in sight.

The weather is due to break in the next couple of days so probably back to rain gear on the next stage the Great Glen Way. Four long days to Inverness due to shortage of places to stay. Got one hostel and one camp site booked. Theres also a shortage of places to eat or shop so I’ll have to carry a bit more food and water.

Today I’ll be looking for a laundrette, hair cut & shave and this evening probably meet up with a few of the people I’ve been walking with the last week.

I’m booked into the Travelodge and didn’t check its location. When I arrived at the WHW end point, my hotel was 10 yards away with a Spoons next door. Perfect way to end the walk.

Yesterdays walk…

https://www.relive.cc/view/vPOpZxxVVEq

(Oh and thanks to Tom on here for the JustGiving donation)

I was in that travel lodge on Friday night. Bit noisy :-)

Well done so far and good luck for rest of the walk. What an amazing accomplishment.

It was. A few people were running riot about 2am. Knocking doors and running off.

[i4got]

Thank you to daimlerv8 for the donation

[i4got]

croyde said:

So after a 17 mile walk on Thursday, I awoke as stiff as a board yesterday morning but I pushed myself and got the train out of town and walked 14 miles back along the Thames.

After 8 miles it became a painful slog.

OP! you have my admiration. How did you train for this or did you just get on with it?

Does it get easier on the body as you carry on?

Maybe it's my age

Or pacing. According to my OS map app, my average speed was 3.4mph and I did both walks in 5 and 4 hours respectively.

Do you aim to take it easy and make use of the long days that we have currently?

Sorry for all the questions, just interested.

All the best.

I have a day off tomorrow and I’ll post you a reply then.

[i4got]

croyde said:

So after a 17 mile walk on Thursday, I awoke as stiff as a board yesterday morning but I pushed myself and got the train out of town and walked 14 miles back along the Thames.

After 8 miles it became a painful slog.

OP! you have my admiration. How did you train for this or did you just get on with it?

Does it get easier on the body as you carry on?

Maybe it's my age

Or pacing. According to my OS map app, my average speed was 3.4mph and I did both walks in 5 and 4 hours respectively.

Do you aim to take it easy and make use of the long days that we have currently?

Sorry for all the questions, just interested.

All the best.

17 miles is a long walk to start with. I started with 7 or 8 miles and gradually went up to 17 over about 6 weeks I think. I think 17 was the longest practice walk I did and I only did that once.

I also used a weighted vest or a rucksack and gradually built that up to about 8kg.

Once I was happy I could do about 14 or 15 mile regularly that put my mind at rest that I could stretch it a bit further if I needed.

When I started the walk my calves and thighs would be painful on every hill and shoulders hurt. At some stage though everything stopped hurting. I still get knackered at the end of a long day but not sore.

Oh and you are walking fast - on the flat I average 3mph. I try go stop for water and a rest every 5 or 6 miles.