Day 3 done. Now in Inverarnan, just beyond the top of Loch Lomond. 23kms but again more difficult than the kilometres alone. This stage saw us hug the eastern shore of the loch all day. We had regular views across the glassy water to the mounts on the other side. The first half was easy. Good trail. Good walking weather. Mostly flat.But once we reached the hotel at Inversnaid (halfway point), the track became a real test. Rocky, rough, tree roots, even a ladder at one point, lots of up & down & winding. Really slow going and hard on the body. And then it rained - making it even a bit precarious in parts. Nevertheless, it was a really picturesque day. There are many little pebbly inlets where people can drop down off the trail for a quiet rest and take in the views, from waters edge. Lots of birch & native oak forests, spilling all the way to waters edge. Where the canopy opens, thick bracken prevails. We’ve seen very little wildlife. A dead racoon-type creature & several dead miniature mice. Plenty of bird sounds in the forests but difficult to spot. Today, as part of the rocky track, we passed a feature speculated to be Rob Roy’s cave. The “raccoon-type creature” would’ve been a badger. Apparently they’re still around in Scotland. Around 39000 steps and 27km. We stayed at the Drovers Inn, a pub opened in 1705. It had stuffed animals in every quirky room. They had modern apartments across the road so we didn’t actually stay in the old building.
