Day 5 of 8 on the West Highland Way for our crew was a fantastic, sunny, social doddle!
The 10.5km walk from the town of Tyndrum to the Bridge of Orchy on wide track was almost like a rest day for the body and feet after some of the doozy days we have had already and those planned ahead. The weather was fabulous, adding to the joy!
Our merry band started out from the Green Welly shop at 10am. No need to rush with such a short distance so why not have a little lay in that morning!
The Green Welly shop is featured in guidebooks, blogs, YouTube videos and more by WHW walker’s as an oasis. It boasts a restaurant, service station and store, gift shop, liquor store, laundry and well kitted outdoor shop. We took advantage of most. Almost all of us picked up something from the outdoor shop – I blew out a pair of socks already so replaced those. I used the laundry machines for me and my roomies. All of us popped into the shop for snack refills for the next couple of days (there are no stores for the next 3 day on trail).
Myself, Shar, Cheryl and Rosa all accidentally stopped into that liquor store which had Arran Gold, a liqueur you can only get from the Isle of Arran. We fell in love with this liqueur when we did the Arran Way in 2018 and have been searching for it since! So yes, we all added a 750ml bottle to our packs lol.
Off we go, starting just around the corner from the Green Welly onto a minor road for a short distance then after a hard left onto wide track (think old, gravel road with no gravel left) which would be under our feet all the 10.5km to Bridge of Orchy.
Despite it only being about a 3hr walk, we could not resist a short break on a neat bridge with the sun shining. The view of the bridge side was of the rail track and we all had some Stand by Me comments of course.
At one point even the OG, the original crew, the brain child of ‘lets invites amazing women on a long distance walk with us in a breath taking country’ idea .. which resulted in this path and this crew today!
After our short break, we kept on walking – same track but maybe beside someone different this time. I love my quiet time on the trail but sometimes, when the track allows for u to walk 2 by each, good trail conversation is the best – even sometimes some trail therapy!
The tail end of the walk included an awesome tunnel under the rail line. And, if you have not noticed, tunnels require a photo!
Just before 1pm we rambled up the Bridge of Orchy Hotel – where we would have lunch, dinner, sleep and set out from tomorrow. We were not inside for 10mins before the skies opened up and it poured big time!
We enjoyed a great afternoon with pints, soups, scones with cream and jam, and more. Then a little quiet time in our rooms or chilling on the little deck at the back of each of our rooms. We were all in a row on the bottom floor so it was like being in a dorm!
At 6pm we met in Nikki and Deb’s room where Shar introduced everyone to a taste of the Arran Gold on ice – a resounding YUMMY from everyone. So amazingly delicious!
We had a fabulous dinner at 630pm in the hotel restaurant (the only game in town) and yes I had haggis again. Everyone was ready for winding down at about 9/930pm for a good sleep before we challenge our 20km walk to Kingshouse, a tough but beautiful day on trail.
Brande
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