The latest from Robert Cook, CEO for Hotel du Vin/Malmaison:
My walking boots are well and truly bedded in, my wind-proofs are indeed wind proof and I’m thrilled to write that nobody has had to revert to the map and compass just yet. Having the right gear when venturing out into the Highlands at any time of the year is really important and I want to say a big thanks to Chris Tiso of outdoor specialists Tiso for ensuring that myself and the team are adequately protected against the Scottish weather that has been appropriately described by Gavin (Hastings) as typically driech for November; a great Scottish word that sums up the cold and wet weather.
It’s been a challenging day for us all, but never-the-less we have trekked through this magnificent terrain – a multitude of twisting paths and very muddy tracks between the road and the shore of Loch Lomond. We have walked over 21 miles today all the way to Inveraran and watched the daylight slowly ebb away, completing the last hour of our walk by torchlight. Without question, we will be setting off earlier tomorrow.
Keith our executive chef, Lorraine, our General Manager from Bristol and Matt from the design team missed a great lunch at the Inversnaid Hotel. They decided to press on with the walk and I can only commend them on their wise ways as indeed they completed the walk about 4.30pm just before darkness fell. We’re all convinced that Keith has master-minded some great mini menu options to carry in his rucksack. I think that I’ll walk with him tomorrow.
Highlights for today? Without any doubt it was finishing the second leg. A tough one for us all and the collection of sore feet and blisters has multiplied quite considerably. It’s been a very challenging day but I’m immensely proud of the team’s achievement.
More on the walk tomorrow when we will be joined by Scotland Football Manager George Burley.
A thanks to Visit Scotland for the beautiful photographs of Loch Lomond – see more at www.visitscotland.com
