Friday 11 September 2026 - Another bike ride to Gairlochy and two more Munros

On a fine day, Sue chose to return to Glencoe, leaving me with my bicycle. Wednesday's sunny route to Gairlochy and Fort William was repeated - another nice 40 km outing. There were lots of cyclists about, and quite a few folk walking the Great Glen Way. 

The swing bridge at Gairlochy closed just after I crossed it, allowing a huge catamaran and two other substantial boats through. 

Others wouldn't need the bridge to be closed, though they would soon have to portage up a lock.

Wednesday's display of sunshine on the Ben was sadly not repeated as I cycled into Fort William in full view of the cloud capped mountain. 

Here's a view from the Soldiers Bridge.

Lunch at the picnic benches by the start of the Great Glen Way offers a chance to admire the harbour and Loch Linnhe.

On the return to Corpach, another view to the Soldiers Bridge. 

And from back on said Bridge.

My photos (apologies for the ongoing poor resolution problem) finish with a view down Loch Linnhe and a couple of snaps by the canal at Corpach.

Meanwhile, Sue was on Bidean nam Bian; this was her view from a tea stop at 750 metres.

Later, her view from the summit of Stob coire Sgreamhach.

Only thirty odd Munros to go. I wonder when the next trip up here will be?

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Wednesday 9 September 2026 A bike ride to Gairlochy and a couple of Munros

A sunny day for a change. Sue set off to the other end of Glencoe, leaving me to unlock my bike and embark on a 40 km ride to Gairlochy and Fort William.

Near the start, a tall memorial post champions the achievements of Colonel John Cameron at the battle of Waterloo. This is positioned outside Kilmallie Parish Church, which curiously appears to have a more modern house attached to it. (Attached to the far left of the church.)

There were good views from the mobile homes.

I took the minor road past Taigh Moy, where we stayed for a week in May. Nearly made 30mph on the descent to Gairlochy.

Good views back to The Ben, the cloud over which withered as the morning progressed. 

The next photo, taken at Gairlochy swing bridge from a picnic bench where I enjoyed a coffee, turned out to be the last photo from me today as the camera battery expired.

That's a shame, as the light was great and the air was clear as I continued to Neptune's Staircase, then on along the route of the Great Glen Way to Fort William. There I enjoyed the rest of my coffee and a superb smoked salmon roll. Thanks Sue. 

It's an easy return via Corpach. 

Meanwhile, Sue had a great day on two Munros. She sent me a picture of her tea break at 566 metres.

And the view from her second Munro summit and other pictures from Sue today. Her report is below the pictures.

An hour's drive from Linnhe Lochside brought me to the car park at the Glencoe Mountain Resort from where I set out at 9.30am. The SMC guide describes an anticlockwise circuit of Creise and Meall a’ Bhuiridh, so I headed west on a small path. Luckily I was wearing gaiters as my foot sunk to almost the knee in some soft bog! The waterfalls cascading down the valley looked beautiful in the sun, and crossing the river proved uneventful.
The rocky spur of Stob a’ Ghlais Choire was ‘sporting’ as I chose a line directly up the rock, stowing poles until I was walking again. This top gives great views over Glencoe and Buachaille Etive Mor.
From there it was an easy slope to the summit of Creise (1,100m) where I met a man from Stirling. He was one of only six people I met on these Munros today.
As the day was so good, I continued to the other Top (1,099m) which used to be the Munro until resurveyed in 1981). I had lunch with a view across Rannoch Moor, and even the Ben shrugged off its summit cloud.
The gentleman I met on this section was 44 Munros short of his 4th round and was meandering very gently.
I retraced to Mam Coire Easain (Pt 1070m) then dropped steeply off the edge onto the spur that leads to Meall a’ Bhuiridh (1,108m).
The descent was stony, but straightforward until the path steepened for the final section beneath the chairlift which was bringing people up, of whom some were walking up Creag Dhubh for the views.
As I returned to the car (3.50pm), weary West Highland Way walkers, some of whom will be staying in the pods, were arriving.
A great day out, with blue skies and excellent views (13km, 1,050m ascent).

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Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 May 2026 - Around Fort William and Montrose

Tuesday - Fort William and Neptune's Staircase 

A slow start. The forecast rain didn't arrive. Sue made a nice scrambled egg and smoked salmon breakfast while I contacted some of Gary's mutual friends. Gemma (his daughter) said he had wanted to contact us but had deteriorated rapidly.

The funeral will be on 19 June.

The morning passed quickly in the conservatory, under the dulcet tones of the resident chaffinch.

After lunch, a 21 km bike ride for me and Sue, to Fort William and Neptune's Staircase. Here are a few pictures taken in between showers, including one above where the railway crosses the River Lochy.

Here's our 21 km route.

Cuckooflowers line the towpath at this time of year.

Wednesday - The Hermitage in Dunkeld, and Montrose

We drove in pleasant weather to Dunkeld, for a walk around the area known as The Hermitage.

Click on the next picture for a readable version of the highlights of the Hermitage.

There are several iconic bridges over the River Tay in this area.

The woodland is beautiful at this time of year, with many different shades of green as the leaves emerge from the year's new shoots.

Ossian's Hall is a long, thin building dating from 1757.

Nearby, the River Tay plunges down a series of cataracts.

Ossian's Cave dates from when the pleasure grounds were first opened in the 18th century.

A little further on, more white water flows under the Rumbling Bridge.

After pausing for lunch on a massive picnic bench near some beehives, we worked our way round a 7 km loop, passing through a magnificent avenue of pine trees before returning to the car park and our onward journey to Montrose.

Here's our route - 7.6 km with 180 metres ascent, taking us a leisurely couple of hours. Well worth it if you are passing through Dunkeld and fancy a short break.

Later, we got installed in the Links Hotel in Montrose - a lovely room with a balcony and a bath - and said hello to TGO Challenge Control next door in the Park Hotel, promising to help with tea and biscuits for the finishers over the next couple of days.

We soon met up with Ali, Gayle and Mick for an impromptu convivial evening with some nice Thai food at the Ma Yom restaurant.

Thursday - Teamaking at TGO Control, and a walk to the beach

We've been here before. Pictures are from a quiet moment in the Park Hotel, and a walk to the beach.

Friday - Challenge Control and a bike ride

After a busy morning with the teapot, Sue and I grabbed a chance to cycle 5 km to Charleton Strawberry Farm, where we met a variety of Challengers passing through with only 6 km to go to finish their walk from the west coast. Some of the paths in the disused aerodrome were bordered with the sweet coconut scent of gorse, a pleasant change from the sweaty atmosphere back at the Park Hotel!

Here's our 11 km route.

Back at the Park Hotel, a table of socks that participants could swap for the pair in their goody bag if that was the wrong size. These excellent Darn Tough socks would have to be returned to the sponsor, UltraLight Outdoor Gear. I'm not sure of the arrangement, but it seems a shame that the socks (albeit every finisher gets a pair) are not for sale.

Coming towards the end of tea and biscuit service, this next picture shows the team at work after several of us had returned from a largely uneventful vetters' meeting.

Later, there were about 100 people at the Friday dinner, which seems to be more popular every year. There had been 130 the previous night, and a good number on the Wednesday as well.

Speeches and awards... dinner finished quite late.

Saturday - Montrose parkrun, the strawberry farm, and a five hour drive home

After saying goodbye to our friends in the Park Hotel, we drove a couple of km to the start of the parkrun, where we were joined by Mick and Gayle and by veteran parkrunner (he lives in Bushey), Charles Harmer. I think there may have been a few more Challengers there as well. Gone are the days when Sue and I were amongst very few Challengers to have even heard of parkrun. 

Here we are with Charles at the start.

There were 193 finishers, and our results went something like this: (full results here)

Charles - 24:21, position 31 (well done, as he was the only one of us who had actually completed the Challenge)

Sue - 25:58, position 52

Martin - 34:19, position 146 (my 7th time here)

Mick - 48:47, position 179

Gayle - 49:10, position 182

It goes without saying that Mick and Gayle had decided to walk round, otherwise they would have been ahead of me. Here they are with Alethea McHardy near the end,

After cake at the parkrun finish, we went backto the strawberry farm for one of their iconic tarts, Alethea and Mags McHardy joined us, amongst other Challengers and parkrunners.

All in all, a successful TGO Challenge, ably 'controlled' by Di Gerrard and her team. Well done, everyone. The one week version - Challenge East - for less experienced or time constrained backpackers was also a success.

Then we drove home.