Day 70 - Fort Augustus to east of Clach Bheinn

23 June
Distance: about 14 miles
Number of people seen out walking: 0

It was another lazy start to the day, approaching 10am by the time we left the supermarket in Fort Augustus with very heavy packs (I was particularly looking forward to elevenses and lunch, as I was carrying both).

The walk out of Fort Aggie over into Glen Moriston was a little less than inspiring, being through forestry. Out of Glen Moriston up to the col between Beinn Bhan and Meall Ruigh Uisdein was barren in an unpretty way and was saved only by the views off to the north-west, where hilltop after hilltop was visible.

Of course I knew that there are an awful lot of hills in these parts, but you really do get to appreciate the magnitude of them when passing by at 2.5mph.

Things improved as we popped over the col as we now had views ahead of us too, although the track we were walking was ugly and the surrounding area didn't have much to recommend it either.

Finding a camping spot didn't look too difficult on paper and it looked as though we should be able to find a good one, with nearby water and views. It wasn't to be.

All we ask for in a pitch is a reasonable amount of flatness, dryness and breeze. Today we were struggling to even get two out of three.

Those ideal looking pitches we'd earmarked from on high turned out to be sodden and even extensive walking around, up hillsides and up and down stream only revealed dry ground on steep slopes.

In the end we settled. It's far from the worst pitch we've ever achieved. It's not as dry as we'd like, but nor is it squelching, and it's flat, plus it's right on the edge of a babbling stream, so there is a certain element of prettiness. Pity it's a bit sheltered; no splendid view and scant breeze. I feel another midge-fest coming on.