Day 5 was overcast and cooler than our other days. After a big breakfast at Glengarry BnB we headed to Tyndrum to stock up on blister aids. Tents were being setup for the arrival of 500 bicyclists riding from John O' Groats to Land's End, the length of Scotland, England, and Wales, from north to south. We made our way up the valley on the old military road, crested the hill and started down into the next valley, with a low ceiling of clouds masking the tops of the mountains, Beinn Ohar, Beinn a' Chaisteil, and Beinn Dorain. Across the valley the bicylist labored up the the hill with a long line of support vans and traffic behind them.
No sooner did we reach the valley floor, than we started our accent to the next glen. By noon we had reached the next ridge with glimpses of Loch Tula and Glen Orchy. Then another descent to the train station at Bridge of Orchy. There is not more there than the station and the Bridge of Orchy hotel. We met other travelers and shared a drink and snack. The hotel looks quite old from the road, but is surprisingly modern inside. As we left, we could see the new addition behind the old building housing very nice rooms.
We had a steep climb through forest and above treeline to summit the saddle between two glens with an impressive view of Loch Tula and our destination for the night the Inverroran Hotel. Nestled at the inlet to Loch Tulla, the hotel is the only building for the next 9 miles. Built in 1707, the Inverroran Hotel has not seen as many updates as Bridge of Orchy, but as it is the only accommodation in the area it sees most whw walkers.
After a steep descent, we found ourselves rejoining people we have seen on the way for the last several days. It seems we are creating our own version of Canterbury Tales. We had time to compare notes, share a drink in the pub, and a nice dinner before lights out.
Unedited photos of Day 5 are now posted on Flickr.
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