West Highland Way Day 2: Drymen to Rowardennan

Day two found us waking to a symphony of bird songs from our room at Bramblewood BnB. Kate and Ally fixed a scrumptious breakfast, filled our water bladders and provided us with two large trail lunches.  A beautiful start to day two on the whw.

The song says: You take the high road and I'll take the low road, And I'll be in Scotland before ye, For me and my true love will never meet again, on the bonnie, Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. Who would have guessed that there is a choice on day two of the whw of the high road and the low road as you pass Loch Lomond. By purpose or mistake, we chose the high road which had us climbing out of Drymen, through recently harvested timber lands to Conic Hill (elevation 1184 ft). A bright sunny day in open land had us exhausted as we reached the high point of the day. The views of Loch Lomond were a spectacular setting for our packed lunch, but nine miles remained. After a steep descent we reached Balmaha on the shore of the loch. The Oak Tree Inn provided an outdoor beer garden and a welcome rest. The harbor was full of sailboats and small fishing boats.

The next 6.5 miles followed the shoreline of the loch, undulating through the oak forest. Milarrochy Bay, Cashel, and Sallochy have beaches, camping, and some accommodation but no stores or provisions. Our day was warm and the last section seemed to take forever. Finally we arrived at the Rowardennan Hotel on the shores of Loch Lomond. Cabins, youth hostel and a hotel with pub are all there is to Rowardennan, but they are in a lovely setting between Ben Lomond and the loch.
After a beer and pub dinner it was time for a well earned rest. Today was 13.5 miles, but tomorrow is another 14.5 more along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

Day 2 photos are un edited and on Flikr. Joe uploaded some from his phone and I'm trying to find them and put them in the right sets.