Day 2 meant a brief walk back to join the WHW as the path only skirts the edge of Drymen. It also meant an unplanned solo walk as the food poisoning from the prior night’s dinner had scuppered any thoughts Sam had of walking that day. Fortunately for her Balmaha, being the end of today’s walk, was only 4 miles away as the crow flies, so a quick jaunt on the local bus meant she was in Balmaha for some R&R in no time at all.

The first part of the walk meant walking back from whence I’d come to join the trail. The early part of the walk ran along the Old Military Road to the side of the A811 behind a row of beech hedge.

Climbing through the forested area there were occasional glimpses of the fields below, particularly where trees had been felled. The views down towards Loch Lomond were largely hidden by the early morning mist that had descended.

Finally through the forest, the landscape opens up to reveal heathland and a good view of the climb that awaits. Fortunately the mist was beginning to clear.

Having climbed to the highest point on the path I established that the footpath up Conic Hill doesn’t actually pass over the top of the hill, but climbs over the northern shoulder, some 100ft below the summit. The path does still reveal views of Loch Lomond below.

The descent into Balmaha was short and steep. Hard going on the knees on the newly laid stone path, but some grassy knolls offered some respite and a chance to soak up the views. Notice how the water shows the reflection of the whispy clouds above – quite arty I thought!

My Pic of the Day: now we’re beginning to see the Highlands in all its glory. This was one of many views from the top of Conic Hill, looking north west over Loch Lomond….