Great Glen 5: Invermoriston to DrumnaDrochit

Yesterday's walk was 13.5 miles long and much of it was quite steep. I now realise that my own lack of planning has done me a favour, in a strange way. If I had properly researched the nature of the walk, and realised that many of the easier sections lower down the hill were closed due to forestry operations, I probably would not have attempted to do it. As it was, I found I had no choice, and so I did it. It was pretty hard work and my back is still a little tender today. But nonetheless, I did make it to Drumnadrochit by 4pm, after setting off at 9. 

The walk climbed up pretty high, leading to several viewpoints, one with a modern structure called the Viewcatcher (which I thought was in the wrong place), and a few others that allow a good view of Loch Ness below. The route down to Drumnadrochit was less inspiring, and when the town came into view I was disappounted when I realised it was still an hour's trudge along some farm roads to finally get to the river Coiltie, and then, another half hour back up some town roads for what felt like forever to get to the river Enrick and my accomodation. Drumnadrochit is quite big. 

So, I did walk 14 miles with a 12 kilo backpack on - despite telling myself that such a thing would be impossible and that I should have a 15k day limit. Oddly, my sciatica behaved will all day, and then returned today, after a 1 mile stroll in the woods near Loch Ness with no backpack on. That's something to talk about with my physio when I get home. 

Deer alert: I've been seeing quite a few, but I think they are all invasive Sika deer, not the proper Red Deer I would like to see. Still very nice to see, though. I have now also seen many red squirrels, and grouse, and got my first sight of a Golden Eagle today, although it was at such height I could get no clear picture.