From Sonia Hunter

My husband, our three sons and my Sister-in-law walked the West Highland Way in 1983. The boys were then. 9, 8 and 7 years old.  They also took our spaniel and a disposable camera along for the trip. My Sister-in-law Maggie wanted to raise money for our daughters  School. They camped all along the way and we used two cars to to transport them after each days stretch to wherever we were camping that night. 

Each morning I would take one car and ‘Maggie’ the other, we would then drive to the end of the first days trek, leave one car and go back to the start for that day. At the end of the leg, we would then do the same in reverse. 

A very early start and a long haul each day, before walking commenced but I felt as the boys were young, we needed back up ( just in case) As it was we never needed it for the boys ..unlike the dog.... Her being a springer spaniel, she did each length ‘twice’ with her constantly going ahead and then coming back to us. So much so that on one leg of the journey we left her in the car to rest her feet, with cool water to put her feet in and more to drink, as it was March it wasn’t particularly warm so she was fine with the window slightly down. We left a note on the car to say what we were doing and that we would be back for her and all was well. Today maybe not!!! 

The day we did Bridge of Orchy stretch we had planned to camp at Red Squirrel camp site in Glencoe. I had gone into Fort William to go to the Bank ( no cash machines then) unfortunately it was a Bank Holiday Monday and they were shut. We had plenty of food and petrol but nowhere to cash a cheque. Remember those?? So that night we camped ‘on tick’ as the kindly man on the bike at the campsite let us return with the money later.

The last part of the walk (which I also joined in and was I felt the most arduous ) from Kinlochleven was during the motor bike  scramble races. We were all in awe of their dexterity and speed managing the climb. At times they were almost perpendicular. They were fascinated at what we were doing and dug into their pockets to contribute. If only we had seen them the day before it  would have saved some embarrassment!! 

I was very much a ‘gopher’ but joined them for a couple of stretches. 

They all completed the whole route and we got our copy of the West Highland Way book  signed all along the route and at the finish in Fort William where we celebrated with -Fish and Chips.- Apart from blisters and my youngest losing his daily snacks on the last leg !!! they all agreed it had been a wonderful adventure and instilled in them a lifelong love and respect for the ‘Great outdoors’ 

My sister-in-law raised £600.00 for our daughters school in the process.