Return to Kinloch
After spending the night at Guirdil bothy, I was ready to get an early start back; I figured that leaving at 7am would put me in around lunchtime, so I packed up my gear and set off. The morning views were stunning.
… but in hindsight, maybe they were TOO stunning. Once I forded the stream into Glen Shelldessor, I followed a path that sort of petered out. Knowing that I had to basically just get back to the center of the island and I’d hit the main road, I kept pushing on, but it was slow and boggy. I would think I was stepping onto firm ground and get stuck, or have to wade through knee high grasses — usually both.
My path through Glen Shellesder and back to the main road to Kinloch (or what should have been my path) with Bloodstone hill and the bothy starred for reference
I found myself longing for my muddy but clear little stream bed path from the day before, as it was physically and mentally taxing trying to suss out the straightest and safest way. Adding to all of this was the heat: It was a beautiful 70 degree sunny day with zero rain and light wind — highly unusual for Scotland. This would have been lovely, but with a full pack it felt very hot. I kept stopping at little streams to dip my bandana in and tie it sopping wet around my neck. Plus, the lack of wind meant the midges were out, which meant the super cool headgear was out too:
Midge net!
Luckily, after adding about a mile on to my walk, I finally spotted a shimmery, still-wet strip of the actual path ahead. I was so happy to squelch through that mud again! And the wind picked up just enough to make the midges take off. I hit the main road back to Kinloch very exhausted but very happy.
I had a nice long lunch and sit at the picnic tables outside the general store before heading back to the bunkhouse for an epic shower. And after eight miles out (and nine miles back, heh) all in soaking boots, I was so so grateful to be able to toss my shoes and socks into the bunkhouse’s amazing drying room.
Drying Room - A warm room with three dehumidifiers going. They know their clientele!
