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Josh Stallard, friend Michael and Jock the Scottie have planned to walk the West Highland Way, Scotland’s first official long distance route.
The idea of a West Highland Way was conceived in the 1960s and took until October 1980 before it was completed. ‘The Way’ links Milngavie to Fort William, a distance of 152 kilometres (95 miles). ‘The Way’ passes through a wide range of different terrain, ranging from lowland moors, through dense woodland and rolling hills, to high mountainous regions. Josh, Michael and Jock intend leaving on Sunday 31st May from Milngavie and will be walking for seven days, finishing on Saturday 7th June at Fort William. Josh and Michael decided to space the walk over seven days to make it a little easier for Jock (and Josh too from all accounts). Although many people cover ‘The Way’ in 5 days Josh, Michael and Jock will take a much leisurely pace. Josh commented “We are staying over in wooden wigwams as well as rough camping on some of our stops and hope to be able to forward more photographs, from different locations, along the way of our walk”. “There are a few other people doing the walk with us, mainly family and friends so it should be good fun”. “I just wanted to give something back to the Scottie breed as the wee fella we have, has given us so many good times and seeing as Jock is now 6 years old it is now or never as he is probably at his fittest”. This is a sponsored walk and all money raised is being donated to STECS (Scottish Terrier Emergency Care Scheme) For more detail on the West Highland Way please visit www.west-highland-way.co.uk
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9th February 2009 Just a wee update - we have started to do some training in the build up to the walk. We walked
We thought it better to get some training in and to be sure that Jock will manage an average of 9-11 miles a day. As you will see from the pictures, he had a ball and this walk proved effortless for him.
We also climbed a hill at the half way point to take advantage of the views.
Jock, accompanied by Josh and Michael, will be doing a fair few training walks, just to make sure they are all best prepared for the walk. We wish them well, and will follow their training sessions in preparation for the "BIG ADVENTURE" -The West Highland Way walk commencing Sunday 3lst May 2009.
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14th March 2009 Sadly, Jock hasn't been too well over recent weeks and, on vet's advice, has had to restrict his exercise somewhat. Hopefully, Jock is now well and truly on the mend, and plans are being made to resume "training" with Josh and Michael in the near future. Get well very soon lovely Jock. We look forward to following your adventures (and I hear there are some great ones planned) with Josh and Michael. |
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8th May 2009 |
![]() This will be my last update until I return from the West Highland Way. We are in the process of getting organised now. Jock goes in for his hair cut on Thursday 28th May so that he will be looking his best for the walk - and also it will keep him cooler as the long range forecast is looking good.
To Josh, Michael and Jock - we wish you well and good luck. Have a great time, all of you, and we look forward to hearing from you at the end of your big adventure.
26th May 2009 |
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7th June 2009 Well! that’s the Walk completed and to say it was hard would be an understatement. Unfortunately, we had to call an end to Jock's walk at the end of day 4. He managed to complete an astonishing 50 miles, but due to the heat and the terrain ahead of us, I felt it was too much for his wee legs to cope with. We stopped at Tyndrum, where we stayed over in the wooden wigwams. It was here that we noticed Jock was becoming stiff and had little appetite so it was best to end his walk at this stage. As it’s better to be safe than sorry, we arranged for family members to come and pick him up. Jock is now recuperating on holiday at the caravan in Dunoon - spending his time relaxing on the decking. Mick and myself ploughed on with the walk along with the other five people in our company and completed the 95 miles (and an extra mile and a half detour to Crainlarich). We’re exhausted now, but just wanted to take five minutes to let you all know how things went. I think we may have raised over £350 when we do a total for STECS so it has been a very worthwhile adventure. Editor’s Note: There were 7 people in Josh’s group who all completed the walk. Josh was the only one walking for STECS, the others were doing it for the SNAC charity (Scottish Network for Arthritic Children), set up by Jacqueline. This is a very personal matter for her as her daughter, Honor, suffers from Arthritis. The charity has Duncan Bannantyne as its Patron. SNAC aims to provide national support for children with arthritis and their families through the provision of factual, practical and emotional support. It aims to pull together the wider community of affected children in Scotland as well as raise public awareness of childhood arthritis. All funds raised by the others will be going to SNAC, which in turn forwards all monies to Yorkhill Hospital for Kids in Glasgow. They hope to have raised over £2000 by the time all the monies are collected. |
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Craigallian Loch near the start of the West Highland Way, not far from Milngavie. As you can see it was roasting hot and Jock was straight in the water. This is myself (Josh), my mum, younger brother and Jock walking towards our first stop at the Beechtree Pub near Strathblane. This was a relatively easy stretch of the walk, mostly flat and was a welcomed break as it was around about 25c. This is Jock at our first stop over point. As you can see, he’s one tired wee scottie. This place was called Drumquhassle Farm. We were supposed to be staying over in ‘Wooden Wigwams’ here as we had booked well in advance but due to a doube booking, we ended up staying in our tent in the owners private garden, whilst the rest of our group stayed in a very smelly room that was connected to the stable. They could hear horses, hens etc. all night. Not pleasant but a good story for our friends. This is a view of the garden looking in to the stable room. Jock crashed out in the shade as soon as we arrived. This photograph will, hopefully, highlight just how dire our accommodation really was. This room was the old Tackers room and it really did smell bad but as you can appreciate, when you’re out in the elements any shelter is welcome. This photograph was taken outside our ‘stable’ lol. My mum is also in the pic along with Jacqueline, our friend. Starting point in Milngavie. The whole gang are in this picture, along with Jacqueline's daughter, Honor, who suffers from arthritis. Another picture of the start of our adventure. Note there is an additional person in the picture. This is the fella that started with Del and ended up going home due to blisters. Picture of the entrance to the room just off the stable. I honestly could not have stayed over in this, hence why I pitched the tent with Mick. |
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We set off at 8.30a.m. and walked from Drymen to Cashel Campsite, which is on the banks of Loch Lomond. Part of this walk includes an area called Conic Hill which we soon renamed "Chronic Hill". There are two options when doing the West Highland Way - you can either walk around this hill or you can climb over it. Being the hardy Scots that we are, we decided to take the hard route and climb. I can honestly say this was a total nightmare for various reasons. The temperature was around about 25c which was very uncomfortable to be walking in. When climbing this hill we started to feel the first signs of blisters due to the severity of the climb mixed with the heat. We also witnessed someone being airlifted off the hill due to heat exhaustion so I think it's fair to say "We done well." After Conic Hill we headed along the coast of Loch Lomond which was a lot tougher than any of us ever anticipated. It is very rocky, very high in places and really did take it out on our feet walking in wet boots. This part was particularly difficult for Jock, simply due to the size of some of the rocks and the fences to climb - so we had to assist from time to time to get him over. On the other hand, the bonus of this part of the walk was that Jock was in and out of Loch Lomond for swims right along the way - he had a ball! Jacqueline, Angie, Michael, Richard (my wee brother) and Janet (my mum) all heading off to start the walk on day two. Josh on Conic Hill with views of Loch Lomond in the background Jock playing in amongst the bluebells Jock playing in bluebells whilst on Conic Hill Josh and Jock on top on Conic Hill with Loch Lomond in background Michael and Jock on top on Conic Hill with Loch Lomond in background. This is quite a special picture, as Mick is from the Loch Lomond area, so will be a special keepsake for the future Angie, Mum and Jacqueline on top on Conic Hill with islands on Loch Lomond in the background Jock and Josh heading downhill from summit of Conic Hill. Stunning views. The air ambulance arriving to lift the guy with heat exhaustion View of Loch Lomond from shore level. Stunning setting. Picture of the gang on the second evening enjoying a refreshment or two. Check out the midge nets - a total necessity in the West Coast of Scotland. Sunset at Cashel Caravan Park. Absolutely stunning location and very dog friendly
Jacqueline at the start of day 2 leaving Drumquhassle Farm in Drymen. Smiling as always, wearing her "Miss Daisy". ![]() Taken halfway up Conic Hill whilst we stopped for a rest Josh, Jock and Angie playing at the shore of Loch Lomond Angie with Jock (note the brave person swimming in the Loch) - it must have been freezing Josh, Mick, Ricki (the Ninga), Jacqueline and Janet resting in the evening at Cashel Campsite, Loch Lomond |
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We set off around 8 a.m. today. We left without breakfast as the campsite facilities did not open up until 9 a.m. and we needed to be on the road for 8 a.m. at the latest, so we had plenty of goodies, i.e. choc bars, etc in our bags that would do us until we arrived at Inversnaid Hotel, which was our half-way point for the day. This plan of action turned out to be the day from hell! Janet, Ricki and Angie and Jacqueline leaving Cashel Campsite Stunning picture of Jock taking a dip in Loch Lomond Jock being ordered back to the shore (he was getting too brave and too adventurous) Mick, Jock and Ricki on the shore of Loch Lomond Janet at Loch viewing point. This is on all the West Highland Way books so we thought we would try and recreate the picture. Jock enjoying a ‘controlled swim’ in the Harbour at Inversnaid Jock on sandy beach at the very end of Loch Lomond Ricki heading towards the small crofts at Loch Lomond Jock getting some attention from a group of other lads doing the West Highland Way Walk. This is a picture of a man who was walking from John O'Groats to Lands End in aid of the Tri- Services. We made sure Jock was in this picture. He was hoping to raise around about £10,000 for the charity This is a picture of the Railway bridge. I was trying to do my David Bellamy on this one. Note from Josh - By the time we all arrived at the campsite we were all too tired to be taking pictures so, unfortunately, I have no pictures of Beinglas Campsite.
Janet, Josh (holding Jock) and Ricki at the viewpoint on Loch Lomond |
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From Beinglas our next stop was Strathfillan Wigwams which is near Tyndrum. The very fact that we were to be staying in a wooden structure with electricity was a huge boost to us all .... especially Jacqueline and Angie who are mobile 'phone addicts. This was a much shorter walk than we had done the past couple of days so people were more upbeat than they had been the day before. Just a picture to prove Jacqueline really did rally round. She is beaming in this picture. Jock enjoying a break in the shade and a wee Pedigree Bone (which he never refuses.) This was taken mid-way between Crainlarich and Tyndrum Ricki and Angie (both enjoying one of their regular cig' breaks.) They said the smoke was to stop us suffering with the midges!! Just a picture of the hills beyond A picture of Mum and Ricki, and Jacqueline and Angie outside their Wigwams. Appropriately the girls Wigwam was named "Wandering Woman" - lol The 'Wandering Woman' sign My tired wee 'Jock' boy Mum and Ricki's hut ended up being the gathering point as it was in the middle of the three Janet starting the fire as the weather starts to cool down Mick's, Jock's and my Wigwam (with the red door). Ours was slightly bigger than the rest and also had the benefit of a fridge. Pure luxury!! Jock's very last picture taken on the West Highland Way. Jock is very much a man's dog and really does not bother too much with women - but in Angie he made an exception. He was by her side much of the walk Ricki, me, Janet and newly arrived Del. Del originally started the walk with us in Milngavie with a friend. His friend quit at Rowardennan due to the state his feet were in. Del helped him get back home and then returned at Tyndrum to finish the rest of the walk with us. ![]() This was wee Molly - who took a shine to the ‘Jock boy’ just before he was picked up by Mick's family at Strathfillan Wigwams Josh and Ricki (taking it to the extreme with the midge prevention) - everyone else brought a hat - Ricki had a midge suit.
Notes from Josh -
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On day 5 the route we were to follow was from Tyndrum to Kingshouse. This is our toughest and longest day so we were all pleased to be having a touch of comfort in the wigwams the night before. An eagle-eyed Mick spotted a sign on our arrival in Tyndrum advertising ‘All you can eat breakfast’ for £5.00 and that was it - sold to us. We all stuffed ourselves with as much as we could eat. Today's walk was 21 miles in total so we would need to muster as much energy as possible. Bridge of Orchy was much smaller than I thought. We stayed here for about 15 minutes and then headed uphill on the road to Inveronan. Whilst climbing this section of the walk we met an elderly lady (she must have been about 75) who had jumped on the bus from Edinburgh that day to come and do this section of the walk. She was very fit and full of information and warned us of the Rannoch Moor section of the walk ahead - simply meaning it was very boring and desolate. Angie looking pretty cool - those glasses were hiding a multitude of sins, lol Mick and Angie - just a good picture - nice scenery Jacqueline and Janet - this picture actually captures the movement Mick with Janet resting on bridge Bridge of Orchy Hotel Check out Jacqueline's 'Driving Miss Daisy Hat' Jacqueline’s hat deserves this enlargement Angie, Josh and Ricki having a break whilst waiting on Jacqueline and Janet (again) View from top of hill at Bridge of Orchy View of Rannoch Moor (We aptly renamed this Rancid Moor) as we were all too tired walking it A very tired Josh Another picture of Rannoch Moor Typical terrain on Rannoch Moor - just never ending I took this pic as I liked the bench lol but its actually a very good pic |
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The route was one that some of us had been dreading. It is from Kingshouse to Kinlochleven ..... and part of this walk includes climbing the infamous ‘Devil's Staircase’. I must admit, however, this was not anywhere near as bad as we expected. Josh and Angie (still with her Jackie Onassis glasses firmly perched on her head) wrapped up for the changing weather, leaving Kingshouse Hotel Del trying to get organised at Kingshouse Hotel Picture of some of the gang organising themselves Not sure what this hill is called but it is like something from a Sci-fi film The exposed Kingshouse Hotel with hills in background My wee brother Ricki with Mum - he is a total poser and loves the camera Angie, Del and Jacqueline on the path from Kingshouse Hotel towards the Devil's Staircase Josh with Ricki's funky hat on and gang in front Mick, Mum, Angie and Del (a good picture) Mick posing Angie really does need a chaise longue in this picture Angie (now with Jazz Hands) - she really is as animated in real life as she is in these pictures. We all agreed that she was our 'wee motivator'. Dramatic picture of mountain Mum, Josh and Jacqueline in distance climbing the Devil's Staircase .................. and the same image enlarged Picture of Josh now way in the distance - Mick took this from his position further up on the hill a close up Picture taken from the top of the 'Devil's Staircase' - we climbed that small winding path up to the top Another picture from the top - our starting point was behind those trees Picture of Ricki posing (again) Picture of the descent from the Devil's Staircase on route to Kinlochleven Editor's note: Jock returned home from his 'holiday' with the family on 14th June 2009 and was reunited with Josh. Jock will make a further appearance in Josh's Diary on its completion.
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Josh and Mick - happy after managing the Devil's Staircase Angie "Strip for me babe - strip for you" as the song goes. These waterproofs were on, they were off, then back on and so on, lol Stunning picture of small cottages in distance on route to Kinlochleven Signpost for Devil's Staircase Entering Kinlochleven Mick blowing smoke (or trying to) as the midges were bad Del outside one of the Lodges in Kinlochleven Another view of the Lodges in Kinlochleven Mum outside the Lodges Picture of the McDonald Hotel in Kinlochleven (the Lodges are out the back) The gang at the finish of the West Highland Way, but with a missing Jacqueline (she would be chatting to someone again, lol) |
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Jock arrived home safely from his holiday, with family friends, to be reunited with Josh, on Sunday 14th June 2009. ![]() ![]() ![]() Editor's note: |
Josh & Jock