2018: Crianlarich to Caldercruix

In May 2018 I returned to complete the section in the Highlands with the intention of reaching somewhere conveniently accessible in the Central Belt.

7th May 2018

I arrived back in Crianlarich on Saturday for part 3, and started with a warm-up day doing Ben More and Stob Binnein. Rather misty on the tops, but most of the snow had gone. Then after getting back to town, I continued just a little along the watershed in the evening, making it up above the trees. Five Munros yesterday (one a bonus one, not quite on the watershed) made for a tiring but short (in distance) day. Largely kind weather, in and out of the cloud on the summits. Currently stopped for a break above the north end of Loch Lomond. A circuitous route should line me up for Ben Lomond tomorrow, all being well.

8th May 2018

A damp grey day has finally cleared up… and I'm over Ben Lomond, and within reach of the Highland Boundary Fault. (I can see the islands marking its route across Loch Lomond from where I'm sitting.)

9th May 2018

It's drizzled all day, and felt pretty cold with the wind too. Currently taking shelter in Balfron's pub-turned-Indian-restaurant. The forecast is a little better for the next few days, fortunately. Into the hills again tomorrow (initially the Fintry Hills, east of the Campsies proper).

11th May 2018

Today has brought a few forests to navigate my way through, fire breaks or not… I'm now in the Campsies. The weather is dull, but was dry until a few minutes ago… Very wet underfoot (and indeed in-boot) for the past few days, although the sunny afternoon yesterday gave great views out as far as the Forth bridges.

12th May 2018

Finally the warm spring sunshine has arrived! A beautiful day along the ridge and then dropping down to cross the Forth and Clyde Canal, the Antonine Wall and the M80. Made it through Cumbernauld and ready to find somewhere to camp as soon as I'm far enough out of town.