28th August 2021
So here we are in bonny Scotland for the Rob Roy mighty hike. Well rested after a three week break. Becky has had surgery to excise her melanoma which involved having a big chunk of her ear removed and the remainder reconstructed with about 80 internal and external stitches!
We were both relieved that the procedure was completed so quickly and very pleased to be in Scotland for a long weekend. We had booked a swanky suite at the Macdonald Forest Hills hotel in Aberfoyle a long time in advance but the occasion seemed more special now and we were pleased to have a long relaxing break even though Becky had a lot of ear dressings still on place.
Once again I was completing this hike with Ninja Sue McPherson (always a pleasure, never a chore) and Becky drove us both to the start for the 08:50 wave. It was a beautiful day with some light cloud and not too hot. I was wearing a tartan tutu made especially by thre lovely Janet Spivey, and I was sporting a Macmillan clan tartan neck buff which Sue had very kindly got for me.
You will also note from the pictures that I had swapped headgear from the usual Macmillan cap to a wide brimmed Tilley hat. This was in solidarity with Becky who will have to wear brimmed hats from here on out and so I thought it right that I should do the same. It is also a very good place to put all those Macmillan Mighty Hike pin badges!
The Rob Roy hike is mainly flat but has a very steep and sharp (but thankfully short) climb at 19 miles just to remind you where you are!
The scenery is as you would expect from this part of Scotland and is breathtaking in places. You follow the path of a disused railway for a lot of this hike and overall there is a lot of road and hard path which takes its toll on your feet, knees, and hips.
I very much enjoyed this hike and I am pleased I have done it, but again I don’t think it will be one I will do again.
