Prologue

August 2012

My sister and I have just walked up Conic Hill, a steep hill  overlooking  Loch Lomond, and are now having lunch outside at the Oak Tree Inn in Balmaha. The weather is sunny and I am pleased that this time I managed to reach the summit, unlike my previous attempt a couple of years ago, blaming the close, humid day for my lack of breath and bailing out with only 15 minutes to go. Arriving at the table next to us are a group of walkers (well they looked as though they had all the kit and kaboodle - unlike me in my borrowed trainers and jeans) and I remarked to my sister that they looked like they were on a long trek, to which she replied that they were probably 'doing the West Highland Way'.  

  'Whats that then?' was my reply and from there I learned of the long distance path from the outskirts of Glasgow to Fort William.  

So high on sunshine and pleased with myself for climbing a mountain, I said, 'we should do that,' and from that lunch, the seeds to 'do the West Highland Way' were sown.