TGOC'26 Day 4 Cougie to Ft Augustus

It was hard to leave Cougie, especially after that breakfast, but everyone said their goodbyes and I am sure I will put Cougie on my list of stops again on another Challenge.

Today was suppose to be the three of us ( Myself, Andy and Carl). However Carl decided that he just wasn't feeling the planned route to Ft Augustus and decided to head up to Cannich for a much shorter day, so Andy and I set off.

There is an easy way to go, which is many miles more walking or an "off piste" way that is certainly more adventurous. First off there is an insanely steep climb away from Cougie to reach the plateau. I have marked the steep uphill in red below and you can see how close together the contour lines are. I apologize for not taking any pictures on the way up, but I was too busy trying to breath! 

The uphill continues to the fence line that you can see on the map as a solid black line and below as the actual fence line

Turning around and looking back

A deer that didn't make it through the winter. I know how he feels!  

Looking ahead now, we will be going cross country, no path, for the rest of the morning. 

another photo looking back at the highlands and the snow still covering them. 

Andy looking ahead 

Another gate in Scotland looking for a fence!

Our way to navigate this morning is to follow the 500m contour line in the direction of 120 degrees

(currently slightly above the 500m line, but going in the right direction) 

our view 

Don't step in this light green colored moss = bog.  You may not touch bottom! 🤣

Close up of the peaks getting another dusting of snow today. Fortunately the rain and snow have stayed away from us, so far. Just grey with a cold wind at times 

We are gaining on our destination. Up and over that green sided hill ahead, then up and over that second ridge as well. 

Made it. Reached the construction road for the long decent to the  Torgyle River Bridge, our half way point for the day. 

It took us about 2 hours to cross this 3 mile section of heather and moorland 

Reaching the river and the bridge 

A quick road section and then the Right Of Way to Ft Augustus

Forestry work along the track 

If you look closely you can see the construction road that goes all the way back up the hills. This is the track we walked all the way down. 

This path was once part of a General Wade's road. Here is an old bridge. These were constructed from 1730's-1750's. Just yesterday for the UK. 😄

Once we got away from the Forestry work, this was just a nice 5 mile walk into Ft Augustus

We are staying in Morag's Lodge tonight. I will always remember where to turn off the main road as that is where the Doctor has parked his Tardis. 

Morag's

Caledonian Canal running through Ft Augustus 

We first tried to have fish at the Lock Inn as that is well known for their fish and chips but they were sold out! So we departed quickly and went down to the Bothy Pub. (3 buildings down)

Had a fantastic meal of Fish and Chips (or in my case fish and veggies 😉) 

Initially Morag's could not find my reservation, so I was in a shared dorm room, but as I was unpacking my stuff, the nice girl at reception came and told me they found it and I had a big bed and private bathroom all to myself for the night. It was a good day.

Day 4 Stats and Summary.

My planned route was in blue, but our actual route following the 500m contour is in red