Friday 10 May 2019

Scottish 2 Day Marches Day 2 - Garelochhead 5 May 2019

Scottish Garelochhead 2 Day Marches - Day 2
Distance 34km Climb 540m 
Sunday 5 May 2019


Tim, Frans and I found ourselves near the front as we approached the start point for Day 2 of the Scottish Garelochhead March 2019. The weather was dry although a little cooler than yesterday the forecast was promising another good day. I thought the weather on Day 2 in 2017 was poor, but that must have been an earlier event. I have attached links to all my previous walks on the Scottish Garelochhead 2 Day March below.


Once through the gates we crossed over on to the main road the A814 and turned left and headed up the hill, as we had the day before. 


We marched up the hill passed the first roundabout and continued down the bank to the next roundabout, as we had done the day before. However today instead of turning right, North on the A814 we headed straight ahead, West heading towards RNAD Coulport. 

After a few hundred meters the road turned South, and as a lot of the roads in the area started rolling up and down climbing higher and higher. 



For most of the walk up hill it was cool and fresh. The road is sheltered on both sides with tall trees however occasionally there are gaps on the left hand side allowing us views across Gare Loch. Visibility was good this year and so we had some brilliant views.



We kept a steady pace going up, on the first hill a number of teams had passed us, now we returned the complement and passed them. Finding ourselves in front, behind the police car, we reached the first rest stop, first. 

The first rest stop area was up a narrow side track, just to the right off the main road.  After a short stop we soon set off again, but were no longer first.


Marching straight across the junction we had a small climb before we followed the route markers that took us right, South. Through the trees we had our first view today of Loch Long.  



Very soon the road started to twist South/South Westerly as it drops down hill, turning directly West it very quickly turns steep, this was what was called Bastard hill, (Peaton Road).  


Near the bottom of the hill we turned left onto Barbour Road heading towards Cove. 


The road levelled a little before starting to roll up and down. Below to our right, west we could see a different part of Loch Long to what we saw yesterday.


Passing a little piece of Australia.




Following the markers we turned right down into Cove, passing some new houses, and the school. There is a short steep drop down to the B833.


A right hand turn along  Shore Road the B833 and we soon arrived at the Cove Burgh Hall for the second rest stop of the day and lunch.  Lunch was very civilised sitting on a proper chair and eating at a table.


After our lunch we took some time out to relax on a seat across the road that looks across the Loch.


Near the War Memorial for those who gave their lives during the Great War.


After our break we moved in a Northerly direction by the side of Loch Long, the views were clear and we could see far across to the other side. Passing some grand looking houses on our right.


Frans spotted a swan sitting on a nest. Checking my previous blog on our walk along here I had noted at the time we passed a couple of swans building a nest in this area. I wonder if it was the same swans?


On our travels we passed London on our right.


Rain suddenly appeared on the far side of the Loch. It was not long before we felt a cold wind started to blew and as it grew stronger it started battering the trees. Then the train arrived.


As usual this starts the debate waterproofs on or not, will the rain go or will it stay. It was heavy and therefore we made the decision to stop and to put on our waterproof jackets. 


Waterproofs on we continued, within minutes as we cleared some trees the rain stopped and the sun came out. Its the law if we hadn't put on our waterproofs it would have continued raining, but as we did, the sun came out.


Approx 4km North from Cove is Peaton and we soon reached the right turn that leads to the Bastard Hill. We took off our waterproofs at the bottom of the hill. 


We then started the climb East, then it was up, up and up up the Bastard Hill, up, up and up up again we marched.


Near the top the route turns left, Northerly before dropping a little. We had a short stop to say Skoll with our friends The Ravens. A brilliant group of lads who we had seen over the past two days.

Just up the rise and across the road is the third rest stop. Which is the same stop as the first rest stop due to the route.


No one was staying for long in the rest area, the finish was only a couple of hours away. We also had a very short stop, next stop would be the finish.

When we set off again we took a steady pace back down the road we had walked up to the first rest stop. Enjoying the views across Loch Gare when a gap appears in the trees which are now to our right.




It did not take us long to reach the roundabout at the bottom of the hill, now we were facing East.


Straight over the roundabout towards Helensburgh on the A814. As the road climbs it turns Southwards. Another couple of climbs and we were approaching the roundabout where we had joined the A814 on the previous days March.


Straight over this roundabout and we had less than a km to go, all downhill.



A right turn and a short rise up to the camp gates. Where we were met by cheering and clapping from other groups who were still near the entrance. 


Today Day 2 we had covered 34km with 540m climb. Again another brilliant day out on the road with Tim and Frans. The weather had been good to us which helps. All done, all completed now, next stop Nijmegen 2019.

As everything points to this being my very last opportunity to take part in the Scottish Garelochhead March I would like to Thank everyone involved in organising, volunteering, support and marching, making this such a great event and hope that it continues. THANK YOU.

More to follow

Boz North

Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done on The Garelochhead Scottish 2 Days Marches or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.

Follow link to previous day - Day 1 2019
Follow link to Day 2 2017
Follow link to Day 2 2014
Follow link to Day 2 2013

Thursday 9 May 2019

Scottish 2 Day Marches Day 1 - Garelochhead 4 May 2019

Scottish Garelochhead 2 Day Marches - Day 1
Distance 46.6km Climb 660m
Saturday 4 May 2019


To take part in the 2019 Nijmegen Marches you need to take part and pass a qualifying march. As in previous years we were at Garelochhead to join in the Scottish Garelochhead 2 Day Marches. This was another last chance to take part in the Nijmegen Marches, so I was pleased when Tim asked me if I would be interested. The last time I did this walk was in 2017. At the bottom of the page are links to all my previous walks on the Scottish Garelochhead 2 Day March.



The weather was bright and sunny, with a little cool early morning breeze as, Tim, our new friend Frans and I, lined up ready for the start. The map showed we would be following the same route as in previous years. 

From the camp gates we crossed onto the main road, A814 and turned left and marched up the hill travelling North. 


After approximately 1 km we passed a roundabout and we started down hill slightly, turning towards the North West. This roundabout was a welcome feature over the next two days.



At the bottom of the bank we reached another roundabout where we took the right turn continuing on the A814 towards Arrochar, heading back towards a more Northerly direction.


The route took us passed The Green Kettle Inn before heading down hill under a railway bridge towards Loch Long.


There were a couple of twists and turns on our way down hill before we reached the Loch side. This looks an interesting building with a cone shaped roof, pity about the storage tank.


We would follow the edge of Loch Long for approx the next 5.5km. Passing a couple of people getting ready to dive into the clear water of the Loch. 



After approx 5.5km we reached a jetty that on my previous walk along here in 2017 was set up as a film set. With old vehicles and the back of an animal in one of the trailers, for a Jurassic Park film.


Across the road from the jetty entrance the route turns right and we started walking up the hill in an Easterly direction.  A very steep, long hill.

Tall trees stood on either side of the road. As we climbed a large fence appeared on our right hand side, and thoughts were exchanged regarding what type of creature that may have needed a fence as large as this to keep it secure.


As the road levelled we came out from the trees and into bright sunlight. Although sunny the temperature was still pleasant, nice for walking.



At the top we reached the first rest stop. 

After a short rest we set off again. We were now heading in an Easterly direction along Glen Douglas.  The route along here is best described as rolling, fairly flat in places with a little bit of up and down.



As we walked along I could hear a cuckoo to our left. After a few hundred meters it was joined by a cuckoo, somewhere to our right. You could hear it for miles calling across the Glen.


After a few km the route starts down hill and we caught our first glimpses of Loch Lomond. 



As the road dropped and turned a little, looking to our left Frans pointed out Ben Lomond.

The route then took us down a fairly steep bank and we crossed this bridge over Douglas Water. 


Passing by Inverbeg Galleries, and Inverbeg Inn we turned down a twisty footpath that took us under the A82 road and onto a path that ran next to Loch Lomond. 


Across Loch Lomond we could see Conic Hill increasing in size the further South we walked. Frans and I talked about our own individual experiences of Conic Hill when walking the West Highland Way. I first walked it in 2009 alone, then again with Anne and David in 2012. Frans has completed The Way more recently.

We were heading South towards Luss which was approx 5km from where we joined the loch side path. On our arrival we were greeted with cheers and hand clapping. This was the second rest stop and so we stopped for lunch.


Once we had fed and completed our admin we continued heading South. Leaving Luss on the Old Military Road we passed a large Hotel. I had forgotten, in previous years we have seen wedding parties arrive at the hotel. When we were further down the road I looked back and saw a wedding party arrive today keeping in with that tradition. 



We followed the Old Military Road passing picturesque cottages and the little statue in the Loch, the locals call "Wee Peter". Checking the internet on returning home I saw there is no real explanation about "Wee Peter" and how he came to be standing there.


The Old Military Road turns right to join the A82 as we continued South passing the gates of the Loch Lomond golf course. Turning onto a footpath that runs to the right of these gates.



A last look at Conic Hill before we followed the footpath up onto the A82.  

After a few hundred meters along the A82, we arrived at the police escort who were stopping the traffic to allow us and the other groups to cross the road onto the A817 the Glen Fruin Haul Road.
Once over the A82 the route is now west moving up, up and then up again.



We settled into a nice steady pace and soon reached the last rest stop of the day.

We were now on the final stage for today March. From here the road is on the whole level, with a few parts that were a little up and down. Again what could be described as rolling.


From the rest stop, once over the crest of the hill we could see the finish, although it looks close there are still a few kms to go. The views of the hills surrounding us they were stunning.


After a few kms we could hear a cuckoo. Question, was it the same cuckoo following us or another? I must admit they all sound the same.



A couple of steep drops and climbs then the end came in sight again, although closer than before, we still had a couple of kms to do.



A last steep slope down as we dropped back to the roundabout on the A814 that we had passed near the start of our walk.  

Turn left down hill and there was just less than a km to go.  It was all down hill now, followed by a right turn and a small climb up to the camp gates.


This was the end of Day 1, 46.6km and a climb of 660m. It had been a great day with Tim and Frans, Thank you. 

Now it was a return to the block for admin. A few stretches on the grass outside before a quick shower. Then prepare my kit for tomorrow followed by dinner then some rest ready to do it all again the next day.

More to follow



Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done on The Garelochhead Scottish 2 Days Marches or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.

Follow link to Day 2 2019
Follow link to Day 1 2017
Follow link to Day 1 2014
Follow link to Day 1 2013