Highland Trail 550 - 2020

[slarge]

That concrete pad doesn't look very inviting (mind you, the Hydro bothy was never luxurious), but it looks like a 40 minute push to Contin is the way forward now......

[sean_iow]

It was basic but always seemed pretty sound.

There is another (open-sided) shelter/bothy very close by.

Which direction is that? I'd not spotted anything else but then I wasn't really looking.

The Hydro was basic but looked better than being outside if the weather was bad. It must have deteriorated in the last 2 years as it looks ok in my picture from 2018.



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It was certainly in better structural condition than Corrimony was in 2019 with some 'issues' with the stonework on the right-hand end.

[ScotRoutes]

I'm not sure what our site policy is in identifying private bothies....

It's about 4km East. English translation is The hangman's house

[Richpips]

Fond memories of that bothy from 2015.

2 big polystyrene sheets as mattresses, and coal and wood for the fire. Oh yes and someone had left 3/4 of a bottle of whisky.

[Bedmaker]

I never heard anything about the bothy going. IT always looked pretty sound whenever I was in it.

It would be interesting to hear from a MBA rep what the reason was.

[ScotRoutes]

I don't think it was a MBA bothy.

[sean_iow]

The sign seems to indicate it was privately maintained?

[Richpips]

We've been in the Hydo Bothy a number of times. I am always amazed by how much colder it is inside than outside.

[AlasdairMc]

I'm not sure what our site policy is in identifying private bothies....

It's about 4km East. English translation is The hangman's house

It’s also slightly off the route, so probably not particularly appealing to the hardened racers.

[Dean]

I have been doing some map sleuthing (nothing else to do so I am trying to trick my head into imagining that I am riding hills) and I have found that a Stores/Tea Room opened in October at Rosehall/Invercassley just after Oykel Bridge. Hope they can survive the virus.

[Mart]

Nothing left but a concrete pad.
Pic taken yesterday.

2020-04-13_06-43-13

Sad to see we’ve lost another bothy. I slept there last year. Apart from a broken window pane and a door that rattled it was OK.

[fatbikephil]

Looks like we've dodged a bullet folks. Long range forecast was looking pretty good until last week and then its nosedived since, exactly like last year!

Showers on Saturday developing into heavy rain and high winds through into Sunday, mixed thereafter.....

[ChrisS]

Looks like we've dodged a bullet folks. Long range forecast was looking pretty good until last week and then its nosedived since, exactly like last year!

Showers on Saturday developing into heavy rain and high winds through into Sunday, mixed thereafter.....

I've been secretly hoping this would happen

[sean_iow]

Looks like we've dodged a bullet folks. Long range forecast was looking pretty good until last week and then its nosedived since, exactly like last year!

Showers on Saturday developing into heavy rain and high winds through into Sunday, mixed thereafter.....

Doesn't help me as I had planned to finish my ITT by today and I would currently be sat outside the Tyndrum Inn drinking a beer As it is I'm sat in my front room working*

*obviously working also includes looking on the forum

[Escape Goat]

I've been busy making plans when I've not been busy working. Still full time, but 2 days a week I don't really do a great deal of anything right now.



Quite fun seeing where resupply / bothy / bnbs are .

[ScotRoutes]

You missed the Corrour Station Restaurant

[Escape Goat]

Until now! Thanks :)

[sean_iow]

You missed the Corrour Station Restaurant

Isn't that a long way off the HT550 route?

[whitestone]

You missed the Corrour Station Restaurant

Isn't that a long way off the HT550 route?

I managed to find it a couple of years ago

It's close to the original route that went out via the WHW to Kinlochleven then over to Meanach bothy and down the Abhainn Rath past Corrour Lodge and meets up with the current route at Ardverikie.

[FLV]

You missed the Corrour Station Restaurant

Isn't that a long way off the HT550 route?

I managed to find it a couple of years ago

It's close to the original route that went out via the WHW to Kinlochleven then over to Meanach bothy and down the Abhainn Rath past Corrour Lodge and meets up with the current route at Ardverikie.

I got turned away from the station in 2014, hadn't booked you see Wouldn't even sell me the cupcakes to take away

[whitestone]

I think it's changed hands a couple of times since then. I had a different experience in 2018 - http://bobwightman.blogspot.com/2018/05 ... ll-no.html

[Bearbonesnorm]

Anyone planning an ITT this year assuming lock-down / restrictions are lifted before Julember?

[boxelder]

I was, but we'll be right into midge season. Aim to do something over a few days up north in the 'Indian Summer'.
Maybe just the southern or northern loop - both have changed quite a lot.

[AlasdairMc]

We’ll need to review the list of supply stops after this as there’s a real risk some may disappear in the next few months. Plenty of precarious operations using their summer takings to pay their winter debts, and if opening delays much then they may not have that chance.

I'll do my bit by heading up to the highlands when permitted though.

[ChrisS]

Anyone planning an ITT this year assuming lock-down / restrictions are lifted before Julember?

Not all, but perhaps part of it. Though, even if restrictions permit it, the welcome in some small communities may be uncertain for a bit.

I've been a bit startled by the extreme reactions in my small village (which in normal times relies almost 100% on visitors for income) to the "strangers" who have appeared on rare occasions during the lockdown. There's been some ugly behaviour on display. I think this sort of residual suspicion will take a while to clear away.