Foothills of Ben Lomond, day 1

On Tuesday I set off early to Waverly Train station,  the only train station in the world named after a novel (Robert Louis Stevenson). I had so much time I got on a train a half hour earlier than planned. I talked briefly to an older British woman who was traveling and complained about what a hassle it was to travel. She was going first class. The train was quiet and quick and I got to Glasgow on time. I found the bus station without much difficulty but had more trouble using the bus station bathroom which cost 30pence and had a gate to pay with your card or coins. Reminded me of Latin America!

I met up with the group from Walk Wild Scotland and liked our guide Pauline from Glasgow right away. She was the only one close to my age. The only other American,  Stephanie from Baltimore, was the class clown, as you might guess from this photo with Pauline talking to the group (and Stephanie doing god only knows what). 

I somehow thought I would have to share a room with her and she made a big joke about how she would cover my face with a pillow if I snored. 

Thankfully,  she had paid for a single supplement but I didn't learn that for hours. My roommate Gaelle is a sweet young woman from Lebanon who has lived in London for 6 years working for Google. 

Parked at Rowardennan, walked to Ardess, ruins of the township. Parked later at Millarochy Bay and some walked to Balmaha.

We went on a long hike yesterday with no rain, about 4 miles, and yes, I was almost always the last one. I was 20 years older than the 50 year old Dutch man and ten years older than the 60 year old man from Leeds.

We hiked at the foot of Loch Lomond's big mountain,  Ben Lomond. 

We had sandwiches from M&S (Mark & Spencer) for lunch and made it to Gartmore and the Black Bull Inn for a nice dinner (I had fish and chips, half order). And a small Guinness!

The view from our hotel room in tiny Gartmore: