My plan was to get out of town before bedding down in a quaint shack I’d identified a couple of months ago - at the Abriachan Forest Trust site on the great Glen Way. In the end I didn’t get there until after well after 1 am and was very relieved to find nobody else in residence. I had a decent few hours’ sleep only to be awakened by the dawn chorus then later by a lone bird persistently scratching away at the roof almost directly above me.
Abriachan Forest Trust by Jimmy G, on Flickr
Abriachan by Jimmy G, on FlickrDay One proper was spent riding to Fort Augustus. Some pics...
Loch Ness viewpoint by Jimmy G, on Flickr
Great Glen Way by Jimmy G, on Flickr
The Great Glen Way Viewcatcher by Jimmy G, on Flickr
The View by Jimmy G, on FlickrI stuffed my face with chips and stocked up with various snacks at the Londis store in Fort Augustus before starting the long slog up the Corrieyairack Pass. I managed to ride rather more of it than I did last time I was here due to much more user-friendly gearing this time round. However, a strong headwind made going difficult and by the time I reached the top I was definitely feeling the cold.
I spent the night in an old workmen’s hut at the very top of the pass. The last time I came this way three years ago the metal door was still on its hinges and locked. In recent months, though, I’d read that the door was now off its hinges and lying on the ground outside. An old shelving unit provided just enough room to comfortably fit my mat and sleeping bag on the bottom shelf. There was also a table and two benches, one of which I pressed into action to block the bottom of the door and prevent at least some of the by now very strong wind from penetrating inside.
Corrieyairack Pass shelter by Jimmy G, on Flickr
Shelf as bed by Jimmy G, on FlickrDay Two: Corrieyairack Pass to Loch Ossian. After the rocky zig-zag descent of the south side of the pass I stopped at Melgarve Bothy where I had breakfast. Last time I was here it was locked so it was nice to be able to enter this roomy building this time round. I then bashed on to Loch Ossian via Loch Laggan into the ever present headwind and later, as I neared Loch Ossian, the rain decided to enter the fray.
Descending to Loch Laggan by Jimmy G, on Flickr
Loch Laggan beach by Jimmy G, on FlickrI eventually reached the oasis of Corrour Station where I enjoyed a pleasant dinner there while charging stuff and drying my kit. I spent the night at the side of the Badger track overlooking Loch Ossian Youth Hostel. Fortunately, where I’d pitched there was just enough breeze to keep the midges at a bearable level.
Overlooking Loch Ossian youth hostel by Jimmy G, on FlickrDay Three: Loch Ossian to Loch Lyon. In the latter part of this leg, I reached the Glen Lyon teashop. I was cutting it fine since it was just fifteen minutes before closing but they were very welcoming and even allowed me to to stay on for another twenty minutes or so to finish charging my phone. Definitely another invaluable oasis on this route!
Glen Lyon Teashop by Jimmy G, on Flickr
Camping at the Loch Lyon dam by Jimmy G, on FlickrDay Four: Loch Lyon to Callander. The Co-Op in Killin provided a welcome opportunity to stock up on supplies. Later, it started raining steadily in Glen Ample and on the fast descent towards Loch Lubnaig it got very chilly indeed. Hard to believe it was July!
Descending from Glen Ample by Jimmy G, on FlickrFortunately the lochside visitor centre was open and serving hot drinks, etc. to help lift morale somewhat. The rain had got heavier but I eventually had to prise myself away and follow the busy A84 road until I was able to get off there and on to the NCN 7 cycle route into Callander. By the time I reached town I was soaked and in need of hot food and a place to sleep. That food ended up being a ‘half crunchy’ supper. Translated, that means half a deep fried pizza and chips. Sounds ropey and, in truth, it didn’t look much better but it hit the spot. I hoovered it all down whilst ensconced in a tunnel in a kids’ play park. This was to be my home for the night. A novel location but it did the job!
View from the dining room window by Jimmy G, on Flickr
Necessity is the mother of invention by Jimmy G, on Flickr
Untitled by Jimmy G, on FlickrDay Five: Callander to Glasgow. An unremarkable ride from the Trossachs into Glasgow, broken up by a visit to an old pal on the outskirts of the city. Arrived in Glasgow in the evening and caught the train home to Edinburgh.
Run away! by Jimmy G, on Flickr
The End by Jimmy G, on Flickr
An excellent array of accommodation there!
Btw the sleeping bag is still there and I used it to provide an additional layer of comfort under my mat. 
. Especially of the creative sleeping spots, all in fine BBB tradition. What it's all about 
