With another short day in prospect, I had a leisurely breakfast and left the hotel at 9.00.  The weather was fine but distinctly colder with a strong wind.

After walking around to Victoria Bridge the route is along a road constructed by Thomas Telford, a very busy man.  It ceased to be a public road in the 1930s.

The road ascends gently through conifer plantations before crossing the Black Mount.  This would be a wild place in bad weather.

I stopped for a break near Ba Bridge, before making my way up the hill to cross the ridge, and look down on Rannoch Moor and the entrance to Glencoe.

Unfortunately, most of the tops were lost in haze all day.  This was particularly disappointing, as the sight of Buachaille Etive Mor is stunning.

Crossing the A82 once again, I reached the Kingshouse just after 1.00.  As the bunkhouse did not open until 3.00, I had lunch and then was able to relax.

The Kingshouse Hotel is a revelation.  I thought that the new building work was confined to a new bunkhouse, but the hotel has been extensively expanded and is now very grand.  As I type this at 6.45 the walkers’ bar has just closed!  You now have to go to the main bar.

Kingshouse Hotel as I remember it…                       and as it is now…

 

A deer has just walked through the car park, but today I had haggis, neaps and tatties so have no need to feel guilty.