Tuesday 5^th September - Pitlochry to Inverness

I felt truly like the end was now in site, only the grim damp weather quashing my spirits. I followed the A9 all the way to Inverness, which carved a route through the Grampian Mountains and later the Highlands. I made good use of the Sustrans route which used service roads, paths and traffic free roads adjacent to the A9. I did however feel this slowed me somewhat as the route was fiddly and was undulating in places. Again I had to make the obligatory stops at cafés for warming soup and hot chocolates, one had internet access. Made stops at Kingussie, Avimore and the road passed to heights of over 400m before descending into Inverness, which had a very industrial feel to the town.

The hostel was the largest I had stayed at, and felt like an “industrial hotel for backpackers” with its electronic access dormitories and it’s 2am open door policy. It seemed to be full of German and Dutch backpackers. I dined on Haggis and a large steak that evening and local ale to get the full Scottish experience.

    Distance: 91 miles

Leaving Pitlochry                                    A sign not seen in England!

Not many photos taken because of the rain - but Grampians would be spectacular!