A Celebration of Scottish Music

Sponsored walk of the West Highland Way

In aid of Lochaber Hydrotherapy, March 23 - 30, 2007.

As well as completing the iconic 95 mile walk, the team were promoting the third musical offering from Billy McIsaac 'The West Highland Way Connection' CD.
The first team of 11 walkers set off on Saturday, March 23, 2007.
From Fort William were well known mountaineers, Mary and Alex Gillespie.
The couple were experienced Munro-baggers and were completing the walk 30 years to the day after they first took it on in 1977.
Charity, research and a lifetime fancy, led two Oban Times staff, Janice MacAlpin and Catriona MacPhee, along a famous route from Milngavie to Fort William in aid of Lochaber Hydrotherapy.
Robert Wood from Claggan and Helen Brodie and Susan Moon from Arisaig had all responded to an article featured in the Oban Times and were undertaking a lifelong ambition.
Billy McIsaac, who lives near the start of the walk in Milngavie, was joined by three friends, Ronnie Harper, an outdoor instructor from Balloch, Brian Coffield, a nurse from Raigmore and Sean Curran a royal marine with 25 years under his belt.

Day 1
The group met up on Saturday, March 23, at the obelisk in Milngavie town centre and were sent off in style.
After a speech by Scots singer Jimmy MacGregor, Lord Provost Liz Smith and Billy himself, the troops were piped on their way by Milngavie pipe band.
The first day covered 13 miles leaving the cityscape and entering into the scenic countryside which would characterise the rest of the walk.
The group enjoyed the glaring sunshine as they went past Glengoyne Distillery into the village of Drymen.
Staying in accommodation ranging from wigwams to hotels some members enjoyed the earliest Saturday night experienced in years but this was a must as the following day saw them tackling the gruelling Conic Hill.

Day 2
After reaching the top, the steep and lengthy descent meant that many were glad to finally get a rest at the Oak Tree Inn in Balmaha before making the rest of the 13-mile trip to Rowardenan.
The route followed the shores of Loch Lomond opposite the A82 and passed Ben Lomond.
Accommodation for the night was in Rowardenan Youth Hostel, a first for some of the team but like the wigwams, was happily deemed as being 'all part of the experience.'

Day 3
Day three was spent almost entirely walking up and around the head of Loch Lomond. The path snaked along the shore presenting some challenging terrain and offering walkers the chance to hide in Robert the Bruce's cave as well as meet some of Scotland's wild mountain goats.
The group made it to Inverarnan and accommodation in Beinglass farm came in the form of wigwams, chalets, B&B's and for the really hardcore - tents.
The team met for a strategy meeting in the popular Drovers Inn later that night taking the opportunity to swap stories and compare aches with other walkers.
There were repeated calls of 'Oh Lochaber' for a rendition of Billy's popular song but he kept walkers in suspense until further on in the trip.

Day 4
The next day entailed a 13-mile hike through Glenfalloch to Tyndrum.
As well as being a great walking trip, the route was also an education in Scottish history, as information boards were dotted along the way outlining the historic importance of certain sites.
In the approach to Tyndrum the group passed the field of the battle of Dalrigh and the legendary Lochan of the lost sword where Robert the Bruce is said to have discarded his heavy weapon during a retreat.
Another night was spent in youth hostel type accommodation as the group prepared for the longest day of their journey.

Day 5
The Tyndrum to Glencoe route covered 19 miles of undulating ground.
Shoe styles were very varied by this point. Some walking boots had been cast aside for modified toeless trainers, a fashionable invention that proved to be the surprising saviour of the trip for one walker and earned another the title of the 'shoe surgeon'.
An early start of 8.30am was required to ensure finishing the day in light conditions and with weary legs the walkers set off with trepidation.
This was unfounded though and around seven miles were covered in the first two hours allowing the walkers a leisurely cappuccino in Bridge of Orchy.
More undulating terrain was to follow with the group covering another fairly quick three miles before reaching Inveroran.
With nine miles to go, the group set off towards Glencoe and followed the Drover's Road, briefly stopping at Ba Bridge whilst crossing Rannoch Moor.
After a cold and slow last few miles, the whole group finally made it to the King's House in Glencoe and were greeted by Billy's accordion, kindly dropped off with the rucksacks by Travelite staff, Bob and Gilbert.
There was relief amongst the group at having completed the longest day and despite some concerns about the next morning's task: The Devil's Staircase, early celebrations got underway.
Billy entertained on the accordion and the bodhran was passed around the group.
A variety of songs and ditties were performed, some unmentionable, others more prolific such as the debut performance of Billy's latest song, 'This Day had just begun'.

Day 6
The group set off slightly later the following day as the next section was 'only' nine miles.
Anticipation of the completion crept in and spirits were high as the group approached the Devil's Staircase.
At some point during the previous evening, Sean had offered to reach the top and have a brew ready.
He valiantly held to his word and as everyone supped tea high on a mountain in between Kinlochleven and Glencoe, the end was almost in sight.
After a long descent into Kinlochleven the group settled into their last night in the Black Water Hostel.

Day 7
The sun was out again for the last day of spectacular views and amazingly for the seventh day in a row the rain held off.
As the group stopped for their last lunch a banana cake and a bottle of wine appeared - and disappeared just as quickly.
After a toast to the group the last five miles through familiar hills passed quickly.
Excitement built on the descent into Glen Nevis and the walkers were met by a group of family and friends as everyone hugged and shook hands to mark the occasion.
The mission had been completed and everyone was jubilant including Billy who said: 'It genuinely was one of the happiest weeks of my life. The chemistry in the group was amazing. It went better than I could have expected.'
The final part of the week was one last journey to the Limetree studios in Fort William where some of the bands featured on the CD were playing and it was announced that the walkers had raised £8000.
Music, dance and great company ensured the perfect end to a truly memorable week.

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S.F.F Records Limited – Company No. 261272

S.F.F. RECORDS was established in December 2003 by Billy McIsaac to raise funds for Lochaber Hydrotherapy, a charity that is building a Hydrotherapy Pool in Fort William.