Day 14: Fort Augustus to South Laggan
Distance: 10.5 miles (16.89 km)
Weather: Overcast with sunny intervals
Start Time: 11:01 AM
Finish Time: 3:30 PM
A shorter and gentler day on the trail today, giving the legs a bit of a break before tomorrow’s big push into Fort William.
I had a relaxed start this morning, deliberately setting off later since we couldn’t check into the Great Glen Hostel before 3 PM. The route itself was straightforward – hugging the Caledonian Canal towpath before joining a section of the old Invergarry to Fort Augustus railway line, which runs along the banks of Loch Oich.
It’s a beautiful stretch of the Great Glen Way, with peaceful water views and soft footpaths underfoot. There’s some fascinating local history here too: the railway line we followed was dismantled in 1947, but Invergarry Station is currently being renovated into a static museum – a lovely project that will keep the area's rail heritage alive.
Along the way, I saw the Lord of the Glens cruise ship gliding past, along with a few holiday boats making their way along the canal. I also chatted with a group of kayakers making the full journey from Fort William to Inverness.
Tonight we’re settled in at the Great Glen Hostel in South Laggan. The staff are super friendly, the facilities are excellent, and there’s even a restaurant. It’s a comfortable and welcoming stop – perfect for recharging before tomorrow.
Tomorrow I reach Fort William, which will mark the completion of the Great Glen Way! We’ll be staying at the Glen Nevis campsite for the night, followed by a much-needed rest day before beginning the next leg: the West Highland Way, taking us to just short of Glasgow.
As a postscript my nephew Adam, who is undertaking the driving of the motorhome (and shopping, cleaning, cooking – you name it, he's doing it), is also rowing on his static rowing machine the daily mileages that I’m walking. Frankly I don’t know how he does it – I’d prefer to walk!
