Day 4 - Tuesday 23 November 2021
Inverarnan to Bridge of Orchy (19.4 miles)
The start of Day 4 at Beinglas. I was in for a day of overcast conditions with drizzly spells & light breezes. I had company today as far as Tyndrum in the shape of Angie's brother in law Ray. At least I wouldn't go mad talking to myself. I wanted to press on pretty swiftly today as I was fully intending to try and reach Bridge of Orchy. This would make tomorrow's leg including the transit over Rannoch Moor easier as I really wanted to take my time.
The River Falloch running through the glen of the same name. The Falls of Falloch are a little further up from this spot however they are difficult to see from the trail.
As of November 2021, the bridge over the Allt a'Chuilinn is missing having been washed away in 2020. There is a diversion in place to the right which heads up the western side of the Allt a'Chuilinn (see pic below).
The Grid Reference of the missing bridge is NN34492 21386 and the one which is crossed further up the burn is at Grid Ref NN 34648 21202.
The diversion bridge - the track ahead rejoins the WHW at Grid Ref NN 34680 21450
Derrydarroch - the River Falloch is crossed via the bridge to the left
The good old Royal Engineers - God bless 'em
The first of two tunnels passed through in fairly short succession. This first tunnel passes under the railway line and is known as a "sheep creep" for obvious reasons. I am 6ft 1 and Ray my walking companion for the day is 6ft 5 therefore it was a bit of a struggle with a rucksack on.
The second tunnel which passes under the A82 is a corrugated steel drainpipe which is a bit more 'height friendly".
High above the A82 continuing along the Old Military Road
The Military Roads in the highlands are in the main innacurately credited to General Wade. In fact it was Wade's Inspector of Roads Major William Caulfield who supervised the construction, mainly from 1740 when General Wade left Scotland. Caulfield is responsible for all of the Military Roads used by the West Highland Way and his contribution amounts to some 800 miles of road.
The Military Roads in the highlands are in the main innacurately credited to General Wade. In fact it was Wade's Inspector of Roads Major William Caulfield who supervised the construction, mainly from 1740 when General Wade left Scotland. Caulfield is responsible for all of the Military Roads used by the West Highland Way and his contribution amounts to some 800 miles of road.
Always worth a call if those legs are starting to feel the pace
The halfway point of the West Highland Way at the Crianlarich Crossroads. The crossroads are at a junction of two natural routes through the hills where Glen Falloch rises and meets the gentle pastures of Strathfillan
At the crossroads the path heads up to the left to reach a picnic table where we would stop for lunch. However heading straight on down Bogle Glen leads to the A82 just west of Crianlarich. Turning right leads down a sloping path into Crianlarich just over half a mile away and delivers you at the station.
A fantastic spot for lunch which Ray is heartily tucking into. To the east in cloud above Crianlarich is Ben More.
Just before reaching the A82 the route crosses the Allt an t-Saoir via a stone bridge
Crossing the A82 - pretty easy today as it was a Monday out of season. Might be a bit different in the height of Summer
Crossing the bridge over the River Fillan
The remains of St Fillan's Priory
Fillan was a missionary who came to this area to spread the teachings of a Christian way of life to the Scots & the Picts having travelled from Ireland. The Augustinian Priory dates from the 13th Century and was endowed by Robert the Bruce in 1317 and was originally built in recognition of Fillan's teachings which following his death lead him to being made a Saint.
Fillan was a missionary who came to this area to spread the teachings of a Christian way of life to the Scots & the Picts having travelled from Ireland. The Augustinian Priory dates from the 13th Century and was endowed by Robert the Bruce in 1317 and was originally built in recognition of Fillan's teachings which following his death lead him to being made a Saint.
Passing the Strathfillan Wigwams, Camping & Trading Post which forms part of Auchtertyre Farm
Beautiful stone bridge over the River Fillan
The small lochan at Dalrigh (King's Field).
After he was defeated at Dalrigh by the MacDougalls of Lorne, Robert the Bruce and his Army are said to have thrown away their weapons into this lochan. This included Bruce's long sword known as a Claymore and local legend suggests it lies here to this day. The reality is that the weapons dump is actually further south at Lochan nan Arm which is only a short distance away. No one knows why the legend was moved and in 2015 a team from MacDonals Armouries in Edinburgh came to metal detect this site and local lochans. Unfortunately they found no real evidence for either the battle or dumped weapons.
After he was defeated at Dalrigh by the MacDougalls of Lorne, Robert the Bruce and his Army are said to have thrown away their weapons into this lochan. This included Bruce's long sword known as a Claymore and local legend suggests it lies here to this day. The reality is that the weapons dump is actually further south at Lochan nan Arm which is only a short distance away. No one knows why the legend was moved and in 2015 a team from MacDonals Armouries in Edinburgh came to metal detect this site and local lochans. Unfortunately they found no real evidence for either the battle or dumped weapons.
An engraved stone marks the site of "The Loch of The Legend of the Lost Sword"
A stone engraving of a Claymore Sword - quite a weapon
The famous Green Welly Stop at Tyndrum. There is all sorts here and it is quite an oasis for the West Highland Way walker selling anything & everything. In days gone by, Tyndrum (the house on the ridge) was nothing more than an 18th Century Service Station used by cattle drovers. We met Angie & her Sister here at The Green Welly and after a brief chat I left Ray with them in order for me to push on along the Old Military Road to Bridge of Orchy. Whilst I had a head torch I was confident of getting in before dark.
Leaving Tyndrum along the Old Military Road with the moody looking Corbett of Beinn Odhar ahead
Another "sheep creep" to negotiate this time over the railway line
Continuing on along the Military Road - just a shame I could not see the views in front of me because of the low cloud
The conical Munro of Beinn Dorain now comes into view as I continue to plough on along the route
Crossing the single arch bridge over the Allt Kinglass just to the west of Auch
Darkness falls as I near Bridge of Orchy with the comforting lights of the railway station ahead
The impressive station at Bridge of Orchy - not a soul here but lit up like a Christmas Tree
The Bridge of Orchy Hotel & journey's end for today. Despite it being all lit up the hotel was definitely very, very shut.
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GPX File
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Day 4 Data
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Mileage
Cumulative Mileage Time Total Ascent |
19.4 miles
50.6 miles 7hrs 20mins 2900ft (884m) |