I am getting ready for my trip to Scotland to start my 100 mile hike through the West Highlands of Scotland. I’m will be with my friend Mike who encouraged me and planned the trip.

9-6-25 Milngavie ( pronounced Mil-guy) to Dryman

Started out today at about 9:00am because we couldn’t get into our hotel in Dryman until 4:00pm. 14 miles from start to finish. The weather was perfect! No rain. Beautiful countryside

Had lunch on the pathway at the halfway mark. The gal who waited on us was from New York. Great and friendly people.

Got into Dryman and our rooms at 4:00. Took our Advil and a nap. Nice dinner tonight. Have 16 mile tomorrow from Dryman to Rowardennan.

9-7-25 Dryman to Rowardennan 14.5 miles

Left Angel Cottage at 8:30am and started our climb up Conic hill.

This picture was on the way and Conic hill is on the left.

We walked down this road together to start our climb up the hill. As we were going it started to rain with a little wind.

It continued to rain all the way to Rowardennan. Beautiful landscape

Cattle and sheep right next to the walkway.

It kept raining and single track path got more difficult to walk. Up and down along the lake.

We had to traverse a lot of rocky surfaces and they were so slippery but so beautiful! Got into Rowardennan about 6:00pm. Nice house with kitchen and living room 2 bedroom and baths. Ate at 8:00pm and in bed by 10:00. Long Day!

9-8-25 Rowardennan to Ivernarnen 14.5 miles

Because it had rained all day and night the paths were really muddy. It wasn’t so bad at first but as more hikers got on the trails at times got dangerous.

Many times we were rock climbing instead of hiking. We were averaging just 2 miles an hour. So slow. Such a beautiful area but so difficult.

Got into our room at about 6:30pm. Dinner at 8:00 because we were one of the last to register. Tomorrow can only get better 👍

9-9-25 Ivernarnen to Tyndrum 12.5 miles

Great hiking day! Started on about 4 miles of single track path then it would widen and was not as rocky

All the steams were full of water from all the rain. Every turn there was another creek. Amazing!

These rock walls were everywhere separating the farms. Can’t imagine the work it took to build them. Sheep everywhere!

This one didn’t make it. Just a reminder how tough the environment is.

Had to cross under this bridge that was only 4’ high. Little difficult with backpacks on. Light rain started about two miles from our hotel.

9-10-25 Tyndrum to North Ballachulish 9.5 miles

This was a great hike as we had wide paths all the way. It was supposed to rain all day but didn’t start till later. The hike was originally to 19.5 miles. We decided that was to long considering the on coming rain and wind. Took the bus after a total of 9.5 miles. Got to rest and read.

9-11-25 North Ballachulish to Kinlochleven 9.5 miles

Great night sleep and good breakfast to start the day. Immediately started to climb for 2 miles . Lots of people with us. Once we got to the top people spread out either walking fast or slow. We were in between. Started out sunny and thought about taking my jacket off. Got to the top and started to rain and get windy. Most of the day was that way. All trails were flooded.

9-12-25 Kinlochleven to Fort William’s 15.5 miles

Our last day of the hike. Bittersweet in so many ways.

This was the start of our last day! Straight up till the top of the mountain. I don’t think I could have done this the first day. Very tough. Once we got to the top the rain and the wind started again.

The sun would come and go and so would the rain.

More steams wherever you went. We just kept one foot in front of the other. Hard to get across sometimes.

Walked past this old farm house. Wished it had a roof and hot coffee to get out of the elements. This was about halfway.

Took this as we were making our decent into Fort William’s. Very dramatic thinking about the end was near. So many thoughts about what we went through and accomplished.

Fort Willams in our sights. Can’t believe we are finishing. Will never forget what we experienced.

The hike of a lifetime with two wild and crazy guys from California

I have talked to my son and some other people and found out some or all the comments being sent did not get to me. Please let me know if you were one of them. I liked the way the blog worked but want to make sure I understand how to retrieve all the comments.

I truly valued all your comments and it what I looked forward to every day

Thank you all for following

This was the view out my window this morning. Would have been fun to sit out on the patio morning or evening

It was supposed to be cloudy and rainy today but there was partly blue sky. I walked with Michael and Cathy.

I was thinking along the Way all the people I met and how great it was. I was impressed with all the young people I met and got to know. They were wonderful. I loved their spirit and thoughts when I had a chance to talk to them

I also thought about all the cities and small towns I was in and how kind the people were and how nice my rooms were in most places.

We had a great time. You couldn’t ask for better weather to walk in.

When we finally got to the Cathedral Square I collapsed. I’m sure everyone thought I was nuts but I had fun

This is what the Square looked like with all the people. We found the place to get our Compostela certificate of completion for the Camino but also one from St Jean, France where we started. Most people walked the last 100 km from Sarria. I was really proud to receive it

I am done and this will be the last post. I hope you enjoyed my adventure. I want to thank my wife Patty for encouraging me to do this. I couldn’t have done it without her love and support. I am so excited to get home and see my kids and grandkids

Love to All

Buen Camino!

Only 20 km today. It started like yesterday rain and a little windy. But I wasn’t too concerned as it should only took 5 hours to walk.

This scenery is so amazing. There are a lot of places that remind me of MN farm country but it doesn’t have the 4-500 year old buildings

Came across this cafe. Everything is decorated with beer bottles. Would have stopped for a beer but it was only about 10:00 am. A little early

This granary was a newer version. But wanted for my collection. I’ll have to read more about on my computer when I get back.

These path have a very calming feeling when you walk. I will miss those. Especially the peacefulness for reflection and prayer.

I can’t forget the water fountains along the Way. They are all so different.

Met a couple from Carson City, Nevada. Wayne and Sally. Very nice and the do a lot of hiking. He grew up in Escondido, CA next to Poway. Small world.

Had dinner with Michael and Cath. Tiffany rented a car to come back and have dinner with us before she left for Italy. I will miss all these people

One last day tomorrow.

This was a long day. It was raining at 7:30 and never stopped. The wind picked up something awful. One foot at a time and 18 miles later I am in my room. Alleluia!!

Started out with this statue. I was trying figure out what it is. I think they were dancing because there was only 50 km left. That was the same feeling I had.

Had roads like this most of the day. Very pretty. Would have been better if it hadn’t rained so hard.

Got a bunch more granaries. I just like them

Ran into a good friend again. She just never says much.

Well I’m in the home stretch now two days with about 20 km each. This should be easy even if it rains. The plan is to get everyone together and meet at 10:00 am Friday so we can all walk into Santiago together. We will get our Compestela Certificate together. There is one they give to everyone that has done 100 km. There is another one given only to those that started in St John( spelled Jean). I think it will be very emotional. Such nice people. There will be a party that night. Those of us who will go to mass will go the next day at noon and say our goodbyes

That’s the plan

It is supposed to rain all day. Feet feel good for the start

No rain yet as the sun is rising. Had a long hill to climb out of town. Seem to get a little colder as I walked.

Again lots of people to start with. About three miles out of town they must have dropped off about 50 college students. I got ahead them before they got started. Lots of people!

Saw theses granaries along the way. Don’t know how they are used but I thought they were neat.

All kinds of architectural stuff. Love it all

These two were special too

Ran into Meredith and Jeanna and had a pizza with them. It was wet and rainy and nice to have their company.

As I left the cafe I ran into this snow storm all the way into town. People thought I was crazy to leave in the middle of it but they didn’t know I grew up in Minnesota. I can take it

Only three more days!

Did about 22 km today but felt like 32. The inserts didn’t work. My feet hurt worse than ever and my little toe seemed to hurt more. Will put the old inserts back in.

Beautiful paths out of Sarria. Just love the stacked rocks.

Lot of people starting the Camino from Sarria. A lot them are not carrying packs so the have their luggage sent to the next town.

Ran into the Brazilian women in the morning. The had slot more energy than the first few days.

The scenery was amazing again today. I could have taken so many more pictures.

Stopped at this rest stop that had coffee, pastries, fruit, sodas and much more. All for free or donation. Best stop and nice happy family serving everyone

Ran into this herd of cows. They covered the road so I had to walk down the middle within inches of but they didn’t seem to care.

Took this picture just before getting into town. Don’t know why it’s there but thought it was cool.

Hope my feet feel better tomorrow. Will use old inserts and Ibuprofen

See you tomorrow

Stayed the extra day in Sarria. Had a great breakfast in my hotel. Got caught up on my blog, sent emails Then got ready to go to Easter Mass

Beautiful old church right on The Camino. I thought there would only be a few people but 5 minutes before mass in got full. I couldn’t understand much but the Priest was really nice and his voice was soothing and he seemed happy.

Had to get some inserts for my shoes. Couldn’t figure out why my feet still hurt until I took out the inserts that came with the shoes. They were paper thin. Lot of cushion on the new insert. Let’s hope it works.

This is a sign for an Albergue.(hostel). I thought was too unique to pass up

Had a nap this afternoon and then a great dinner with Michael and Cathy

Looking forward to tomorrow

Had to make a choice as to what direction to go. The long route was 7 km longer but flat. The shorter route had a long climb. I took the climb.

The scenery was beautiful. The climb was hard at times. But well worth it.

Came across this chapel at a farm. Very cool. Would loved finding more of the history of it

At about halfway to Sarria I came across this outdoor cafe. You could have anything you wanted for free or make a donation. Ale from Iran was the host and we had a good conversation. Speaks better English than Spanish

Walking from there I came across cows and horses. Three times there two guys riding horses. They were in uniforms and I think they were inspecting the Camino

The scenery was great and so many architectural sights. Can’t post them all. Takes too long to download

Got to Sarria at about 12:30 and found Tetsu and Yung and had lunch with them. There were going to the next town.

Met Diego, Jimmy, with a whole group and had dinner with them. Had a lot of fun. I was the old man

• 

Diego was trying to teach us the song Aia, Aia, Aiaa, but we weren’t getting it. Really nice guy.

Stayed at a great place. Had a great dinner with Michael and Cathy from Ireland!

Got up early and on the road by 7:00 am. It was misty and a little chilly and I new I had a large mountain to climb. It was very muddy and hard to get footing. It actually got colder as I was climbing I had to put on another jacket.

Ran into a lady and her daughter. She had to be in her eighties and she had a full pack and a very hard climb. Amazing!

Also Rachel and her friend from Portugal but are both living in London. Raquel is an actress and was in Last Train to Portugal. I’ll have watch when I get back. Her friend is a graphic designer. Walked about an hour with them.

Another water fountain along the way.

This statue was located at the highest part of the mountain. He seems to be saying where the heck am I?

This statue was located as I was coming into the town of O’Cebriero. I don’t know what it stands for other than it was nice to sit after a long climb.

As I walked into Triacastela I walked by this tree. It was so big and all the knots. The limbs look like little faces looking at you. Can’t wait to get to my room for a hot shower.