'What's wrong with this picture?' You'll have noticed there's no Sharon. Alas, the blisters on her left foot got the better of her so, rather than risk mashing it up further and not being able to to walk at all for the rest of the week we sadly headed off without her this morning on the path to Inverarnan, while Sharon took a day out.

 

The scenery today really was spectacular, though the walk itself was challenging as we headed up to the top end of Loch Lomond. Julie, Sam and Gry stopped off at The Inversnaid hotel for tea and scones, then it was back on the road again. Lots more ups and downs on the path and it was really pretty challenging at times, but we made it to our accommodation at Inverarnan in good time and headed to the on-site bar for a few drinks.

 

Meanwhile, Shaz had her own adventure, taking the boat from just outside the youth hostel at Rowardennan across Loch Lomond to Tarbet, then the bus up to Inverarnan where all we met up again. After a quick catch up and cuppa we headed out to the famous Drovers Inn where we ate dinner, posed with the stuffed bears, downed a few Loch Lomond ales, and some of us even danced to the live music! 

 

Here are Sam's notes from his last day with us:

Day 3

This stage started from the Rowardennan youth hostel, a lovely old Victorian hunting lodge on the shore of the loch. (Yes, I know, that’s pronounced lochhhh Sharon)

The day started badly. After opting for camping rather than the dorm room, I had to figure out how to get my tent down without being eaten by midges.

After narrowly surviving that, I met the others for breakfast. Awful news! Sharon would have to sit out day three with a foot injury. This was especially bad news as it was my last day (sadly I had to head back home on the following day for work reasons).. and no Sharon! How would we cope? After wishing Sharon well on her luxury ferry ride up to northern end of the lock Julie, Gry and I set off for WHW stage 3.

Ominously, the guidebook labelled this section as one of the hardest of the whole walk, due to the path hugging an inaccessible shoreline and being covered in tree roots and unexpectedly placed rocks, ready to catch out any unwary hikers!

 

The first part of the walk was along a forestry track, well maintained and easy going, lovely walking amongst the oak and birch trees. The fairy tale like feeling of the woods played tricks with our imagination, as rooten tree stumps appeared to us as strange animals and faces. Either Gry or Julie one the competition to see the most!

 

We stopped for lunch at Inversnaid hotel. (Would we see Sharon was past us on the ferry? Not that we saw). A nice hotel, although it was jarring to be ordered by a sign on the door take off all foot ware. Muddy boots not welcome!

 

Lots of friendly American, German and Dutch tourists. Great to see that the WHW is being enjoyed by folks from across the world.

 

The second part of the day covered around 7 miles, again through oak wood.

 

As we reached the northern end, I was sad to say goodbye to the loch, having walked alongside it for 2 days. The Drovers inn at Inverannan was beaconing though, and the temptation of a beer kept us going. The Beinglas campsite popped up unexpectedly after rounding another bracken filled twist in the path. A large scale and well maintained hiker friendly campsite, with the bonus of an on-site bar/cafe.

 

Hurray! Sharon joined us after a successful ferry and bus ride. Good news, she had submitted the ‘document’… don’t ask, but it was worth staying up until 4am for.

 

We then headed to the Drover’s Inn, a popular local pub for a beer or two. The Haggis, Neeps and Tatties were excellent. We were also in luck with the entertainment. A local duo, accordion and drums, got feet tapping to some lively Scottish folk songs. Also accompanied by impromptu dancing by Julie and Gry for the Callie [Sharon: er...that's ceilidh, Sam 😉] getting the atmosphere going even further with a spirited performance!