Day 5 West Highland Way Tyndrum to Inveroran

Day 5 done. Only 4 hours of relaxed walking (15kms) and NO rain, despite earlier predictions. We’ve been so lucky.

The first 10kms, the trail eases thru the wide valley, sheep grazing along adjoining slopes. Towering hills all around. Lush grasses, heather, some gorse & bracken. And always little tributaries cascading down the hillsides to meet the river on the valley floor. Again we had a headwind - and frigid today. Necessitated a wardrobe change - addition of weather-proof coat.

At intervals the valley opens up at either side, offering views of more stunning valleys & steepling hillsides.

The main highway & rail line shares the wide valley. But, with the prevailing wind direction, any noise dissipates quickly. We stopped for a quick rest & snack at one point, enjoying the soft grass & surrounding views.

The trail eventually drops down to a cute little settlement (pub, mostly!) called Bridge of Orchy. We stopped briefly, mostly so Marianne could despatch her morning cups of tea. 

On leaving Bridge of Orchy we noticed a significant gathering of emergency services personnel in a nearby carpark. We soon realised the reason, as two men with paramedic equipment raced past and a Coastguard rescue helicopter began circling. The trail works its way over a saddle and down towards a new valley in which the Inveroran Hotel nestles. Nearing the peak, we came across a huddle of people, including police, attending a woman, prone across the trail. We presumed she was about to be winched to safety - poor woman. We edged past.

Edging down to the Inveroran Hotel, our accommodation for the night.

Steps taken around 22000 and 15km travelled around. Bliss compared to previous days. 

The afternoon and evening we spent relaxing first in the bar then in the guest lounge. It was cold and windy outside so this was the best place to be. While in the room we had a lovely surprise when a stag appeared at the window. He was scratching himself with his antlers at one point. 

The dinner was amazing. A night at the Inveroran Hotel is a real must for this journey. 

While the room was not that big, it was comfortable ( the first with a little bottle of milk for our cup of tea and not pods of long-life milk 😁). We watched the soccer - England v Holland - semi-final of Euro 2024. Unfortunately, for our loved Dutch friends, England were victorious 2-1. 

Prior to leaving the hotel we had a yummy breakfast, the best we had seen in Scotland so far.