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This morning Bruce told us that he didn’t want to carry on walking as his blisters were causing him real problems. After breakfast at the Inversnaid Bunkhouse he got a lift with Marion down to the Inversnaid Hotel, a ferry across to Inveruglas, and a bus to Glasgow. It was a shame to see him go but his blisters were clearly painful.

The rest of us got ready, settled up when Marion came back up to the bunkhouse then got a lift with her back down to the Inversnaid Hotel, where we took a few photos before setting off.

Gregor decided that rather than put a wet towel in his bag he would spend the day looking like a Tesco Value Superman.

We set off into the woods again, but managed about 1km before taking the first break of the morning! It was with good reason though, stopping to find Rob Roy’s Cave. I climbed down into the cave and struck my best scary pose, only to end up looking like Bez from the Happy Mondays.

I took a photo of everyone looking down at me, and Gregor responded with his best muppet impression.

Next into the cave was Mark.

Since we’d stopped anyway, we took the opportunity for a bit of refuelling, and Gregor once again obliged with some comedy face-pulling.

For the next couple of kilometres we were following a narrow twisty path high above Loch Lomond, so when we finally came back down to loch level Mark took the opportunity to cool himself down in the extreme heat.

While we were stopped Gregor whipped out his camera and proceeded to stick it in our faces and ask us the same questions as when he last had it out.

The views up the loch from here towards Island I Vow are fantastic, and a welcome sight after all the walking in the forest.

The path started to climb once again as we passed the island, and it wasn’t long until the foliage started to thin out. Since the sun was hot even through the trees, we stopped for a break in the shade before heading out into the open.

As we passed the bothy at Doune we were exposed to the sun’s full power for the first time today, and it was incredibly hot.

I was suffering a bit with heat rashes on the backs of my legs again, just like last year, and being so exposed really wasn’t helping. Not as exposed as the pair of naturists we saw on the beach near Ardleish though! Here the path climbs away from Loch Lomond, which means great views back down the loch.

We had no protection from the sun (suncream aside) for the next couple of kilometres, as the path is rather exposed as it continues above the River Falloch, which flows down to the head of Loch Lomond.

When we got to Beinglas farm we crossed the bridge and walked the short distance back along the road to the Drover’s Inn. The tables outside were packed with people enjoying the sun, but inside was almost empty and we were grateful for the shade! Gregor chose a haggis burger - something that didn’t go unnoticed with the rest of the group and which would have ramifications later!

After a good rest and another application of suncream we headed back up the road and across the bridge and rejoined the path behind Beinglas farm, following the River Falloch up through Glen Falloch, which was looking particularly green and lush.

At Carmyle Cottage we stooped through the sheep creep under the railway and main road and climbed up onto the other side of Glen Falloch.

After a couple of kilometres walking in the harsh sun we passed Keilator farm, and soon after the path heads into the shade of the forest above the Bogle Glen, where we caught up with the father and daughter we’d met in Milngavie on day 1.

A short while later we emerged from the forest into Crianlarich, and walked along to the Rod & Reel for tea, before continuing on to Inverardran House where we were staying the night in their Ben Challum cottage attached to the main house.

Gregor went for a shower, and a cry of “ya bas!” was heard as he bent over and burnt his arse on the super-heated towel rail. Mark went for a shower, and a cry of “ya bas!” was heard as he bent over and burnt his arse on the super-heated towel rail. I went for a shower, and a cry of “ya bas!” was heard as I bent over and burnt his arse on the super-heated towel rail. Gail went for a shower and managed not to burn her arse, and was rather smug about it. While Mark was in the bathroom he decided to (temporarily) shave himself a comedy moustache.

Me and Mark went next door to the main house to collect our big bags that had been left there earlier by AMS. When we came back we were greeted with a faintly foul smell outside the front door of the cottage. When we opened the door and entered the porch the smell got worse. When we entered the lounge the smell got even worse. When we entered the hall and passed the bathroom the smell was unbearable. Gregor was regretting the haggis burger!

Mark, Gregor and myself popped out for a couple of pints across the road at the Ben More Lodge before settling in for the night at the cottage.

Day 4