Day 2 – Putin’s Secret Submarines
The peloton reduced to 8 as 3 members failed fitness tests and remained at Newton Cottage. Our starting point was where we finished on day one; a short 5 minute drive away.
It was around 10:00am as we left the car park and walked up the road in search of our path. Garry had brought a map from home but had left it at the cottage!
After 100 yards we found the path which took us unevenly down hill towards Loch Torridon. This was our first view of the submarine flotilla, on the far bank of the loch.


The path soon joined a Land Rover track and we turned through 90 degrees and walked parallel to the loch, heading west.


After a mile or so we came to a golf course at Rechullin; a small 9 hole pitch and putt. It had its own starter hut sitting just off the beach.




Our walk was now on the banks of the loch for a mile or so, passing through a small hamlet with a jetty before it turned uphill beside a cottage.
The rain had started and the waterproofs were now on.
The paths continued to be difficult preventing getting into a walking rhythm, but perfect experience for day 2 of the West Highland Way.




At 11:15am it was coffee time so we stopped on a sodden hillside under some silver birch trees. Garry had left his coffee in the house with the map so shared some of mine. The hillside was strewn with algae covered rocks which shone out white against the moss and grass.
The path now became steeper as we walked away from the loch and over a headland. A couple of us overtopped our boots with mud in the sodden ground.


At around 12 o’clock we reached a high point and debated whether to turn or continue. The submarine flotilla had lost its camouflage and it was now apparent that each boat was actually a fish farm enclosure. Clever bastard that Putin, but he hadn’t fooled us.




We decided to continue west in search of a ruin at the headland. However the route took us on a narrow muddy path on through heather with the ground falling steeply below us. It was too exposed for Garry’s liking who decided it was too risky. A couple of others were also having problems staying upright on the worn path so we all turned back.




Now heading homeward we took a right turn and went right around the promontory. It was 12:30pm and with magnificent views over the loch to left and right we found a spot to sit and enjoy lunch.


After lunch it was a couple of hours walking, retracing our steps until we regained the car park and then home.
It was a good day’s walk despite the rain, with good varied terrain making for interesting, if at times tricky walking.