THE GREAT GLEN WAY
IN AID OF
Dean Richards
Neil FletcherSTOP PRESS! Rugby Legends to Tackle Great Glen Way.
Two giants of Rugby have joined our own charity fundraisers in aid of Leukaemia Research.
Ex-England and British Lion Dean Richards and ex-Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks lock, Neil Fletcher, have agreed to join Anthony and Dave for the 84 mile cycle marathon along the Great Glen Way.
No doubt the company of two legends of the game will make the days go shorter, however it may well mean that the nights are just that little bit longer.
Anthony's Story
42 Years ago my sister Susan was diagnosed with Leukaemia. After a short illness Susan died at the age of 8.
In 2010 my wife and I decided to have a Christmas Party in a marquee at home for our family and friends, we laid on food and entertainment and asked that if people felt able would they make donations to Leukaemia and lymphoma Research. Astonishingly through their generosity we managed to raise £10,000.00. On the night of the party I asked my father if he would say a few words, basically asking everyone to dig deep. Having listened to my father I realised that the speed and aggression this terrible illness took my sister was mind numbing, and also that neither he nor my mother had ever got over the loss of their daughter.
It was at that point I decided to look deeper into the illness and ways which I could help a very worthy cause.
Whilst out for a meal one Saturday night with Dave Shields a friend for over 20 years, he suggested that we cycle the Great Glen Way, a route that starts at Inverness then follows the Caledonian canal, Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy before finishing in Fort William, a distance of 84 miles. Obviously worst for wear I agreed, we decided that we would complete the route over two days 18th and 19th May 2011. Whilst at first I was quite apprehensive, training has gone well and I am now looking forwards to what will be a challenging but extremely rewarding couple of days.
Please make cheques payable to Leukaemia Research.
I would like to thank you in advance for you’re generosity and kind words of support.
Regards
Tony
P.S If anyone has any advice on how to stop chaffing it would be most welcome!
The Route (Please note we are reversing this route.)
The route begins at the Old Fort in Fort William in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. From here it skirts the shores of Loch Linnhe to join the historic Caledonian Canal at Corpach.
Gairlochy Locks
From Corpach, the journey along Scotland's longest Glen and greatest geological fault begins. The canal towpath is followed to Gairlochy, passing several interesting canal features such as Neptune's Staircase and the awesome aqueducts.
The next part of the route, mainly on forest tracks, hugs the peaceful western shores of Loch Lochy. There are splendid views as you pass below towering mountains, two of which are 'Munros'.
The Canal comes back into sight and you rejoin the towpath at Laggan Locks, where you are close to the site of the Clan Battle of the Shirts in 1544. From here the route leads you into Laggan Avenue, a lovely canalside path through a fine variety of tall trees established by Thomas Telford.
This takes you almost to Laggan swing bridge where you cross the A82 to find the secluded eastern shores of Loch Oich. Following first the old railway line, abandoned in 1946, and then a section of General Wade's Military Road, you follow the tranquil shores of the loch through beautiful mixed woodland where wildlife abounds.
The route emerges at Aberchalder swing bridge where you once again join the canal towpath for a scenic walk to Fort Augustus passing the delightful Kytra and Cullochy Locks. Passing through historic Fort Augustus you may catch sight of the grand and imposing Abbey, which until recently housed Benedictine monks.
From Fort Augustus you start the first real climb, but the reward is a series of breathtaking views back over the village and across Loch Ness as you follow high forest tracks to Invermoriston. As you come into the tiny village and cross the mighty river Moriston, have a look at the splendid old bridge - another Telford design.
Another steep climb and yet more dramatic views are in store as you leave the village and continue mainly along forest tracks to emerge at the crofting community of Grotaig. A quiet minor road is followed through crofting land, high above Loch Ness, until you turn off and descend through woodland to the River Coiltie and on to Drumnadrochit
The route passes through the heart of the bustling village and centre of the Nessie industry. Leaving the roadside, it then climbs steadily through farmland offering unforgettable views back over Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle before entering the woodland and winding its way up, with occasional glimpses of the Loch and far away the east coast of Scotland comes in to sight. A short section across exposed, rugged heather moorland and you are nearly at Abriachan, another hill crofting community.
A lovely quiet stretch along a minor road, with wide ranging views across the crofts and over to far away hills, takes you to Blackfold.
Here the route turns into Craig Leach forest, emerging at the reservoir where you get a dramatic view of your destination, Inverness, with the Moray Firth stretching out behind it. Winding downhill, you pass close to Leachkin chambered cairn, and approach the city.
Pleasant canalside and riverside paths lead you through the city to Inverness Castle, in the heart of the Highland capital.
Inverness Castle