30th Apr-3rd May 2016- Fort William to Knoydart (CWT)

I met with Chris and Adam on the platform of Lichfield to catch the last train to Birmingham. After waiting in pub and McDonald's in Birmingham we caught the Megabus at 2:35am which got us wearily to Glasgow about 9am wear after breakfast caught the train to Fort William and after fish and chips caught the last ferry to Camusnagaul on the other side of Loch Eil. 

The start of the walking

We started walking along the CWT  (Cape Wrath Trail) which for the first 6 miles along quiet road we experienced our first wet weather but the showers didn't last and we then turned off the road and after a short walk on track up Cona Glen we found a place to pitch the three tents by a stream.

Rough camp

On Sunday morning it was a damp start and after we all packed up we continued up Cona Glen. It was a long walk along the glen before the real climbing started, but the weather improved giving some decent views of the mountains around the valley. 

Cona Glen

As Chris and Adam stopped for a break before the climb i decided to go off and sneak in a Corbett Sgurr Ghiubhsachain. 

Cona River with Sgurr Ghiubhsachain in background

I went up to the pass and then turned off the CWT up the steep slopes to the col before my hill where i dropped some gear so i could enjoy a lighter pack up the steep rocky ascent to Sgurr Ghiubhsachain where i was treated to some awesome views. 

Sgurr Ghiubhsachain summit

It was windy so headed down picked up my stuff and then down to the pass again where i followed the CWT again' managing to catch up with Chris and Adam before reaching Glenfinnan. 

Heading down towards Glenfinnan

We stopped at the Glenfinnan hotel for a pint and a very good meal as it started raining again which made it difficult to carry on walking again. But we did continue along the CWT passing the impressive Glenfinnan viaduct and then a few miles on tarmac track to the Corryhully bothy our overnight stop. 

Glenfinnan viaduct

We were joined by a guy called Ross who had already got the fire going as we tried to dry some stuff before going to sleep.

Corryhully bothy

It rained all night but was just spitting when we headed off again on Monday morning up the valley and up a decent path up the mountain pass between Sgurr Thuilm. It was a boggy path down and we got our first short hailstorm. 

Descending off the pass

We followed the river down wondering where to cross but we went too far down as when Adam tried a crossing the fast moving water almost knocked him off his feet. So we went back upstream getting hit by another short hailstorm before me and Chris found a place to cross. 

The river, wish we'd crossed this high up

After we all got across we trudged our wet feet down into Glen pean and then we walked through the forest in Glen Dessary to A'Chuil bothy where we settled for the night. We were joined by a couple of other walkers and we got a good fire going trying to dry wet socks and boots.

A'Chuil bothy, Adam stoking the fire

An earlier start Tuesday morning as it was a long walk to Inverie. It rained when we left but was on and off in the morning as we headed through forest and then out onto open hillside with views back down Gen Dessarry.

Glen Dessarry

It was a boggy path and a steady ascent up the valley, but at the high point the views over Lochain Mhaim were a stunning reward. 

Lochain Mhaim

On advice we kept to the north side of the loch but had to traverse the boulder field. We carried down the valley and a steep descent to the sea and stunning setting of the Sourlies bothy. 

Chris heading down towards Loch Nevis and Sourlies bothy

There was a steep descent with a zig zag path down to sea level and then a walk beside Finiskaig river to the bothy. We had a quick lunch at the bothy and then headed off again. 

Loch Nevis

We crossed some marshy ground and Adam enjoyed watching me then Chris go waist deep into the bog. 

Bog of doom

We then crossed the death bridge before the steep zig zaggy slog up Mam Meadail our gateway to Knoydart. 

Top of the pass

We all made it to the top and on the descent towards Inverie we had great views of the bay in the distance. 

Looking towards Inverie

It seemed a long walk into Inverie but we made it in time to check into our hostel before walking to our main objection, The Old Forge Pub (most remote pub on mainland Britain) for some good food, good beer and whiskies.

The Old Forge