It seemed like a good idea at the time, when Barry Dickinson and Stuart Crook who are members of Bryn Lodge No 6553, were sat at the festive board many months ago, discussing a good way to raise a bit of money for charity. Initially the idea was to walk the Pennine Way, but taking the three weeks out to do it proved impossible to organise.
Barry looks back over Loch Lomond.
Thoughts then shifted to a shorter walk and the West Highland Way came to the top of the list. Of course everyone thought they were mad, being mid-60s and mid-50s respectively, overweight, and with no experience of long distance trails. Not put off by the doubters, arrangements were put in place and the intrepid hikers made for Glasgow to embark on their adventure.
For those who aren’t aware, the West Highland Way is a 96 mile trail from Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. The route follows Loch Lomond along its entire length north, on the east side, not served by roads and contains many ascents and descents and loch side paths requiring much scrambling and boulder hopping. The trail then heads into the highlands proper, crossing remote moors and upland passes, winding in and out of Scotland’s highest mountains, with infamous climbs, including the one known as the ‘Devil’s Staircase’, until it descends via Glen Nevis into the final destination.
The pair followed the route, completing it in six days, unsupported and stopping at Drymen, Inversnaid, Crianlarich, Bridge of Orchy, Kinlochleven and finally Fort William.
To date, their efforts have raised £1,270 plus gift aid which has already been donated to Derian House Children’s Hospice.
Pictured left: Stuart (left) and Barry on top of the infamous ‘Devil’s Staircase’. Pictured right: Stuart (left) and Barry at the monument at the finishing line in Fort William.
