mike@thebrute.freeserve.co.uk

Ever fancy rambling in the Scottish Highlands? The opportunity came to Jo and myself last June when we took part in the special ‘extra challenge' event on the day of the Caledonian Challenge which is major long distance ramble undertaken along the West Highland Way between Fort William and Loch Lomond, a total distance of 54 miles. Over a thousand walkers take part in the full Challenge, completing the entire distance mainly within 24 hours!

The Extra Challenge was an 8 ½ mile section of the route, suitable for wheelchairs and electric buggies. Around a dozen disabled people, all Scottish except ourselves, met up at the end of a minor road near the Bridge of Orchy, by Rannoch Moor. The day was grey, with very little wind: ideal conditions for midges, and we were each issued with midge poof nets worn over our faces, making it very difficult to recognise each other.

We looked like villains making ready to rob a bank! We were sent away by a lone Scots piper: an amazing man with bare knees face and hands, who seemed oblivious of the midge swarms all around him. After two miles on the road, we came to the Bridge of Orchy Hotel where we left the tarmac at the nearby railway station. We were now on a reasonable traffic-free track which traversed along a mountainside in fabulous Scottish Glen scenery.

The country was now open and a breeze was sufficient to blow the midges away. We were in true ‘Monroe' territory, with 3000+ feet mountains all around us. For a while we were quite alone and able to enjoy the grandeur of the location in peace and quiet. The track descended slowly as we journeyed south. Once again we crossed the railway, which is the Highland line from Glasgow to Fort William and we even saw a train go by! In places the track surface was corrugated with slate like ridges of stone.

Apart from the railway, the countryside was bare, but we were always conscious of the mountains rearing up on all sides. After five miles on the track we came to a feeding station, where we gladly had a stop for drinks. Then we tackled the final 1 ½ miles climbing upwards. At one point the track was narrow and quite exposed, where the original route had been washed away in a flood. However, repairs had made the going safe. At the very end, near the village of Tyndrum, we were piped in, by the same piper who had seen us off. The photo, kindly taken by our friend David McCracken, shows our faces at this time: it was wonderful, awe inspiring and marked the end of a very worthwhile day!

Mike Bruton

Info: the Caledonian Challenge is an annual fund raising event taking place each June. We are waiting to see what arrangements there may be for disabled people during the 2006 event.

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