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St Columba's Way
Quote from John Robert McLean on May 10, 2019, 7:10 amNotes:
-Limited bus service from Craignure to Fionofort on Sundays. (We hitch hiked from the terminal)
-Iona Hostel is fantastic. A couple of days would be ideal rather than the one overnight we had
- The overland route in May was going to be boggy and overgrown so after talking to John at the hostel we walked the road route to Pennygael and into Carsaig.
-lunch is available in Bunessan and there is a Spar
-Wildcamped in Pennygael
-Wildcamped at Lochbuie
-Old Post office at Lochbuie is an honesty shop, fully stocked. We bought treats, coffee, sausages and Isle of Mull Cheese.
-Its a detour out to Duart Castle that will add a few extra Kms to you day but worth it ( They do have a shuttle to the ferry if your short for time £3.50)
-Oban Backpackers was good?
-Route out of Oban is easy to fi d and follow all the way to Taynuilt. (Bike route 78)
-Taynuilt Inn is currently closed but due to open soon. Better check ahead
-Bonawe House is really nice and you can grab the trail out of their back gate.
-Taynuilt has a nice Tea Room and a Grahams Grocers and Bonawe House has local premade frozen meals available.
More to come:[spoiler][/spoiler]
Notes:
-Limited bus service from Craignure to Fionofort on Sundays. (We hitch hiked from the terminal)
-Iona Hostel is fantastic. A couple of days would be ideal rather than the one overnight we had
- The overland route in May was going to be boggy and overgrown so after talking to John at the hostel we walked the road route to Pennygael and into Carsaig.
-lunch is available in Bunessan and there is a Spar
-Wildcamped in Pennygael
-Wildcamped at Lochbuie
-Old Post office at Lochbuie is an honesty shop, fully stocked. We bought treats, coffee, sausages and Isle of Mull Cheese.
-Its a detour out to Duart Castle that will add a few extra Kms to you day but worth it ( They do have a shuttle to the ferry if your short for time £3.50)
-Oban Backpackers was good?
-Route out of Oban is easy to fi d and follow all the way to Taynuilt. (Bike route 78)
-Taynuilt Inn is currently closed but due to open soon. Better check ahead
-Bonawe House is really nice and you can grab the trail out of their back gate.
-Taynuilt has a nice Tea Room and a Grahams Grocers and Bonawe House has local premade frozen meals available.
More to come:
Quote from John Robert McLean on May 10, 2019, 6:44 pm-Its a long hard trek up Glen Noe especially with full packs with camping gear. It almost killed us.
-Note about the tunnel entrance on near the Glen Noe Pass: do not use it. It does not bring you out the other side. You need to go up and over. Follow the posts above the road and you'll go the right direction.
-Craig Lodge Family House of Prayer in Dalmally were so nice to us. We were treated to a hearty meal, a soft comfortable bed and warm friendly welcome. So nice after our extremely hard day.
More to come
Cheers!
John
-Its a long hard trek up Glen Noe especially with full packs with camping gear. It almost killed us.
-Note about the tunnel entrance on near the Glen Noe Pass: do not use it. It does not bring you out the other side. You need to go up and over. Follow the posts above the road and you'll go the right direction.
-Craig Lodge Family House of Prayer in Dalmally were so nice to us. We were treated to a hearty meal, a soft comfortable bed and warm friendly welcome. So nice after our extremely hard day.
More to come
Cheers!
John
Quote from John Robert McLean on May 11, 2019, 7:46 pm-You must stop in at Craig Lodge and meet Mr MacFarlane (sp)? He is amazing and filled with stories and love for pilgrims. Their organization is fantastic.
- There is a small grocery store in Dalmally to stock up on supplies
- The route up from Dalmally is beautiful and follows the river all the way. There are many many idyllic campsites all along the way. Waterfalls and picnic sights!
- Bridge of Orchy hotel served a decent meal and there are campsites along the river behind it. However the room prices are ridiculous! They have a monopoly as the only hotel in town and right on the West Higland Way. Its the only place we saw other trekkers since we left Iona.
-You must stop in at Craig Lodge and meet Mr MacFarlane (sp)? He is amazing and filled with stories and love for pilgrims. Their organization is fantastic.
- There is a small grocery store in Dalmally to stock up on supplies
- The route up from Dalmally is beautiful and follows the river all the way. There are many many idyllic campsites all along the way. Waterfalls and picnic sights!
- Bridge of Orchy hotel served a decent meal and there are campsites along the river behind it. However the room prices are ridiculous! They have a monopoly as the only hotel in town and right on the West Higland Way. Its the only place we saw other trekkers since we left Iona.
Quote from John Robert McLean on May 13, 2019, 7:43 pm-Trekker water tap outside the Bridge of Orchy Hotel in front. Marked as such.
- cross the main road in front of the hotel, up towards the train station to get on the West Highland Way going south. (Lots of trekkers here while none on St Columba's Way)
-Take the left turn after crossing the bridge not the left, just this side. Its much easier.
-The map is deceiving! It takes forever to get down the Loch to the dam!
-we camped at the dam on the flat spot inside the fence beside the dam wall. Right beside the road.
-Beautiful walk from the dam all the way to Killin. Tons of beautiful campsites all the way down.
-Killin is the perfect place for a rest day. We stayed two nights at Courie Inn. Great restaurant. Full service town with co-op for supplies.
-Trekker water tap outside the Bridge of Orchy Hotel in front. Marked as such.
- cross the main road in front of the hotel, up towards the train station to get on the West Highland Way going south. (Lots of trekkers here while none on St Columba's Way)
-Take the left turn after crossing the bridge not the left, just this side. Its much easier.
-The map is deceiving! It takes forever to get down the Loch to the dam!
-we camped at the dam on the flat spot inside the fence beside the dam wall. Right beside the road.
-Beautiful walk from the dam all the way to Killin. Tons of beautiful campsites all the way down.
-Killin is the perfect place for a rest day. We stayed two nights at Courie Inn. Great restaurant. Full service town with co-op for supplies.