It actually rained during the night and even shortly in the morning … so i had to pack up a wet tent ⛺️
Made my last tea and off for the last 21km.
Was glad when I could finally leave the Feteresso Forest where heavy logging was going on combined with a closure of exactly the road and path of where I wanted to go … so I ignored the signs … not sure what else I could have done except for a long detour, which I was not willing to go for.
The last few kilometres before reaching Stonehaven were quite pleasant however … pretty trees, scottish rainforest, and over beautiful and colorful heather hills.
And then I reached the outskirts of my final destination – STONEHAVEN!
… and after 4.5 hours today, total of around 350km with 12.000 altitude meters, 11 nights with 8 in my tent, I reached the North Sea — happiness, gratitude, pride!
I also released the little stone that I brought with me from the Atlantic in Torridon to the North Sea.
Many others chose Stonehaven as their final destination and some of them gathered for a beer and coffee at the beautiful harbor.
Heading to my hotel in Stonehaven now … freshen up and then travel down to Montrose by train for the evening reception that I will attend.
And here my video statement after completing the challenge:
Learnings:
- Long-distance hiking is meditation! … and for me a better one than anything else offered.
- The last day is also just a day … but leading to a long anticipated accomplishment.
- The end of one challenge is the beginning of many more.
- Really looking forward going back now … which means that one should do these type of self-reflections more often.
- Sure there will be more to come, but tired right now 😴
Already booked my ticket for tomorrow morning to go to Aberdeen and on to Inverness by train where I will change to the bus bringing me to Ullapool, where I will hopefully be picked up 😇.
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And here some pictures from the evening event and the get together beforehand:
My Travel Adventures 