Monday, Aug 4
We’d arranged for bus tickets from Kingshouse (sort of) to Glencoe where we hoped to get another bus to our next lodgings in Kinlochleven.
Soon we were receiving messages from our tour company advising us to not to head up the trail today for safety reasons because of the high winds. They encouraged us to use the bus system, or get in touch with one of their guides that was staying in the hotel. We completely agreed with their advice, and told them we had pretty much made plans to avoid hiking the section in this very strong weather.
We got our bags stored away and headed to a nice buffet breakfast. Outside, the weather was starting to rage. While we’re eating, the sun broke through and created some very bright rainbows. We were lucky to have them right out the window of the dining room where we were having breakfast.
Our bus was not to arrive at the pick-up on the highway until 11:11 so we stayed in the Kingshouse Hotel lobby until about 10:45. Then we put on our rain gear for the .8 mile walk to the bus stop. It was really raining hard and gusting mightily. Nevertheless, we got to the pickup spot on the highway where there was no shelter from the wind gusts and rain.
The bus was about 25 minutes late, and by then we were getting rain inside our gear, and our hands were getting really cold. Finally, the bus arrived and we were thankful to be inside it on a warm, dry seat.
We got off in Glencoe and found a cafe to go into so not to have to stand out in this too long. After determining the next bus would be here in 40 minutes we by-passed any coffee and sweets to just talk to some other Wilderness Scotland travelers until it was close to the bus arrival time.
The Shiel Bus was more on time and we rode it to Kinlochleven, taking about 15 minutes.
They were expecting us at the bar where registration was completed. The host showed us where our bags were and to our room – a very nice personal touch.
Later we enjoyed a drink while waiting for our 6:30pm dinner reservation. Dinner was warm and appealing up in the Balcony Room overlooking the River Leven and the storm still blowing through. We shared Brie wedges, Cottage Pie, and a bottle of Australian Shiraz wine.
We had dealt with the storm well and were comfortably settled at Highland Getaway in Kinlochleven for the night.
Dogleggers on the Trail 