Day 10. 6th August, 2024

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Day 10.              6th August, 2024



Fort William → Achnacarry → Spean Bridge → Fort William 50?Km

Sun / rain / sun / rain AND sun / rain. 17ºC


Today was so much fun!

I was preparing for a boring day at the camp site, as I’m basically out of money. But talking to HaYoung, she reminded me this is a rare opportunity and to make the best of it.

SO… I went into town and rented an e-bike. This was an e-MTB (electric mountain bike). It was incredible!

Without even turning it on, it has 11 gears, but it was very heavy. Put it on Eco mode, and it gave a small boost to the peddling which was perfect for cruising VERY easily along flat ground and slight hills. Touring mode gave an extra boost for a little steeper hills on road. Then e-MTB mode was amazing for the hilly gravel forestry tracks. And finally, for the 300 meters of going up the side of a mountain, there was Turbo. This one was so surprising and so much fun, I did it twice! The second time I got a local to film me. The bike had so much power, the back wheel just kept spinning as I was peddling.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

I started out following the Caledonian Canal which links all the lochs between Inverness and Fort William. That would be an amazing holiday. They have long boats you can hire and each day you can choose to remain on the boat or hike, bike or canoe up the canal.


The start of the Great Glen Way, which follows the Caledonian Canal from Fort William to Inverness.




Back to the Old Inverlochy Castle for a quick photo.


So I rode up to Loch Locky, then off the canal and went up hill a little to the Cameron Museum at Achnacarry. It’s not worth the £4 entrance fee unless you are a Cameron. Back down to the loch and it was a quick hop over the hill to Spean Bridge (again). As I was here, I thought it would be rude not to stop in at the Bridge Cafe for a coffee (again). Finally, I followed the same forestry trail I was on two days ago, back into Fort William. This time it took me less than an hour (compared to the 7 hours walking) and it was so much fun!



The old railway bridge into Fort William.


One of the many locks between the lochs along the Caledonian Canal.


Loch Locky




Gairlochy Lighthouse. 
I thought it was ancient riding up to it, but turns out it's only very old, built in 1932.


I really want one of these bikes. It’s just a shame they cost about £3,500 at a discounted price.

I rode approximately fifty kilometres in about four hours. That’s over half the distance I hiked over six days! And I’m not even tired. I even had 45 minutes to spare before I caught the last bus back to Glen Nevis camp ground.

Oh Yeah, and for the first time in 4 or 5 trips to Fort William since 1999, Ben Nevis was actually clear enough to see the top! 

The whole of Ben Nevis as seen from Fort William.


Amazing day.


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