Day 7 - Knockdamph Bothy - Glen Oykel (20k)
Another day when if you had the inclination you could run it. After an extremely cold night in the bothy, we were sluggish to start, but with good tracks all the way, we soon started to make good progress along well defined forest tracks.
After the wilds leading to Shenavall, this wasn’t the most inspiring walking, but we revelled in the peaceful weather, making the most of the benign conditions. A weak, milky sun bathed us as we wound down into Oykel Bridge. I think we were both hoping that the remote hotel there might be open and welcome us with a warm cup of tea, but as with so many places in this part of the world in winter it was shut up tight.
We were left to wind our way up Glen Oykel, looking for somewhere to camp for the night, the first time we’d used our tents in anger. When I’d planned the route I’d tried to factor in as many bothies as possible as insurance against terrible rain and windy conditions which it is reasonable to expect at any time of year in NW Scotland. However, it was becoming apparent that unless you can get a fire going, in very cold weather you’re better off in a tent.
I certainly felt more comfortable that night as we pitched in an idyllic spot right on the banks of the river Oykel. It felt like the cocoon of the tent trapped more warmth and I probably had the best night’s sleep of the trek so far. In retrospect, I was going to need it.
