News Article

Scotland Branch West Highland Way Walk in Aid of the RTR Benevolent Fund

03 December 2009

Image On Monday 19 October 2009, after many months of training and many meetings in various watering holes across the length and breadth of Scotland,, a small group of determined individuals gathered around a small obelisk in Milngavie.  The obelisk marks the start of the West Highland Way, a walk of approximately 95 miles through some of the most picturesque countryside to be found in Scotland (if you have time to take it in). The route travels north and terminates in Fort William.

Some walkers decide to do this over a period of 7 days, however, this group decided 5 days made it more of a challenge, stopping in Balmaha, Inverarnan, Bridge of Orchy and Kinlochleven before moving onto Fort William on the final day.

Representing the branch were, John Keenan, Des Deighan, Bob Hunter and Ray Roberts, all served with the Regiment through the sixties and into the seventies, apart from Des, he came across as a centurion, circa 100AD and has been with us since.

The trials and tribulations of the walk are for another time and another place (around the bar at our upcoming reunion), suffice to say, the weather was mostly kind, the daily walks between 18 and 25 miles per day. They did manage to pick up their own stalker on the way (a very pretty young lady).

Hot baths were the order for most evenings with liberal quantities of deep heat for muscular pains. Straws were drawn to decide who was to apply the preparation.

Throughout this time, the Team 4RTR were ably supported by David Moffat who met the guys at various stages of the walk for sustenance, a kind word to the walkers and the abuse from the same, as is expected for an SQMS.

On Friday 23 October, they arrived in Fort William, looking as fresh as the day they started, no mean achievement considering combined ages total 254 years. Many friends, families who travelled up north to meet them and other walkers whom they had met on route were there to cheer them in. Congratulations guys, you are an inspiration to us all.

There was of course a serious reason for this walk, it is meant to generate funds for the RTRA Benevolent Fund and we can report that we have exceeded the amount achieved last year, however as we are expecting more donations to come in, we will not be announcing the total amount until 21 November 2009 (our reunion) at which time a cheque for the full amount will be presented to the Regimental Colonel in Bathgate.

Stop press: a grand total of £3050 pounds were raised for the RTRABF.
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