his morning came with quite a surprise. Around 6 am I heard a noise I hadn't heard the entire trip - raindrops hitting the outside of my Duomid. The rain was quite light and lasted for not much more than 15 minutes. The true surprise is that this was the only rain I experienced on the walk!

 

I didn't plan to leave camp until 11 am. It would be a short walk into Fort William and I intended to arrive there about noontime; that way I could head to lunch if no one was around at the B&B. I had some clothes that were still clean as I hadn't needed them on the walk. Namely, I had a long-sleeve shirt and long pants. That kept me a bit more presentable than if I walked into town wearing my worn and torn hiking kit.

 

I broke camp down around 10 am and left at the intended time. There's not much to say about the last couple of miles of the West Highland Way. It follows sidewalks along major arterials into towns. It makes sense to finish the trail (or start for those heading south) near a major transportation hub, but it makes for an anti-climactic end.

 

This Duomid felt its only precipation for the entire trip a few hours earlier - about fifteen minutes of a light mistThe last stretch of the trail is not its most inspiringThe Wishing StoneThe end of the West Highland Way<>1 - 4I stopped by the Wishing Stone, a large rock that has earned a few myths regarding magical powers, outside of town - after seven pint-free days in Scotland I had only one wish. A little later I was in town. As expected there was no answer at the B&B. I'd return later, but it was time for lunch. I settled in at the local Wetherspoon's pub, The Great Glen. It's a big place that easily accommodated my pack. I sat down to lunch and a pint of Deuchar's (or two...or three...).

 

I'd be continuing on around Scotland for another couple of weeks. With that in front of me I had no feelings of melancholy having just completed the walk I had planned for so long. I now only had to find Mr Tattie Heid. We had made no plans other than we would be both in Fort William- no worries, we know each other well enough that we knew there would only be one place we'd be once evening starts to fall- The Grog and Gruel.