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Week 1, John O Groats to Inchbae Farm. 150
miles, Approx 8.5 hours a day
I arrived at Inchbae Lodge Farm late Friday night knowing
that Grant was out checking the sheep with Peter, the farmer.
After a long drive this gave Maisie and I a chance to stretch
our legs and to go and say hello to Marv who was grazing in
a nearby field. After a week of hard work I was happy to see
that he looked better than ever; his summer coat is virtually
through and he has muscled up in all the right places. I would
like to believe that he came over when I called him because
he recognised my voice; alas, I think it was the lure of the
carrot that he and Maisie ended up sharing that did the trick.
Grant turned up as I was saying hello to
the farm dogs, as he stepped out of the Landrover I saw a
brown face, a beaming smile and a ton of stubble. All this
unexpected activity set the dogs barking and Marv cavorting
around the field like a two year, old much to everyone’s
amusement. The hard work and 150 miles had obviously not done
him any harm!
Grant had pitched his basha by the river, a stunning spot
where the deer came to drink. As he pitched the tent with
Marv and Maisie watching he began to recount the stories of
his first week.
It would seem that Grant has walked next to Marv for the
majority of the week. His major concern being the fact there
were no rest days throughout the first two weeks and carrying
a respectable weight over varying terrain would be exceptionally
hard on Marv. The first day was spent constantly rebalancing
the packs and passed quite quickly. We had dropped food in
Mybster and organised grazing on our way up, so on arrival
Grant knew exactly where Marv was going to be. This suited
the horse as he was next to a very friendly Clydesdale mare
to whom it would seem he took a fancy to and was reluctant
to leave the following morning.
Day two started off sunny and took Grant off the road and
on to a long track. Marv decided to be particularly unhelpful
throughout the lunch stop and would not settle, failing to
realise that the break was more for his benefit than Grant’s.
This resulted in a long 20min trot as there was no point in
not capitalising on Marvs excess energy. It was on day two
that Marv decided to stop being so fussy when it came to water
and took to drinking out of puddles, or ‘puddle slurping’
as grant calls it in his notes. After a few more hours they
reached their destination and settled down to a night under
the stars.
The following morning saw Grant doing an interview for BBC
Radio Scotland. After a few more miles on the road Marv and
Grant turned off passing Loch Badanloch where the scenery
was stunning. Clear blue water with a fringe of white sand
and a cloudless blue sky. Then on to the bothy to set up for
the night. On arrival it quickly became apparent that there
was nowhere for Marv, which resulted in Grant partaking in
a spot of wall building to secure enough of a section to contain
Marv for the night. That and a bit of para cord stretched
between two points! Marv apparently spent much of the evening
eyeing up possible escape routes. The next thing was water
and it was as he was drinking from a stream that he decided
it would be fun to run off. Grant, however was quick to find
the lure of food bought him back at an equally fast pace.
The evening was spent on personal admin for both horse and
rider, Marv had developed a small rub just under his tail
and Grant was realising that, after many water crossings he
was going to have to take more care of his feet. The night
was spent in the company of many a deer with Grant keeping
half an eye on a tired, but curious, Marv.
Day four turned out to be the worst day
so far. After waking at 03.30 cold and with deer everywhere,
it looked like getting any more sleep would be unlikely, Grant
did manage to grab a few more hours and woke up with Marv
lying next to him, almost with in reach. Starting off as normal
the pair of them hit a fairly steep section that, although
tough, was achievable. The problem arose when Marv decided
he was not going to cross a stream. As they took an alternative
route Marv began to struggle to keep his footing and it became
quickly apparent that he was sinking and unable to do more
than keep his balance; they had hit a peat bog. Marv continued
to struggle to move forward. Grant immediately removed his
panniers and saddle to lesson the weight he was carrying.
As the hour passed Marv managed to get himself onto slightly
more solid ground and was finally able to get clear of the
bog. Both exhausted and having been on the road for over 10
hours they finally found themselves amongst some houses where
they met Kosie, who it turned out knew John who Grant was
to be staying with. A phone call and a few miles later both
Grant and Marv were in a lot better spirits, both had a great
feed and the evening ended with a few glasses of whisky. (Although
Marv did not partake in the whisky)
After a great night the day ahead dawned with the knowledge
it was going to be tough from the start. During the initial
steep ascent Grant broke his half chaps and over the course
of the day managed to break his reins and to tear the black
bag that sits across the back of the rear panniers. It was
a relief after another long day to reach Bonar Bridge and
civilisation, get a mobile signal and buy some food. It was
then on to meet up with Kate and get Marv settled in a field
for the night. Yet again Grant was very well looked after
and I believe the night ended with him sharing a whisky with
Roddie, a local farmer, after helping him try to catch on
of his sheep.
On the morning of day 6 Grant was lucky
enough to get a farrier to have a look at Marvs feet which
resulted in a few more nails being hammered back down and
the realisation that he would have to be shod at Aberfeldy.
After sharing some tea and toast with Roddie he set off. Marv
had to cross a couple of fords and was understandably wary
of any soft ground, both rider and horse were tired and the
going just seemed out to trip them up. After reaching Loch
Vaich they started their descent to the A855 and on to Inchbae
where we met them.
The day that marked the end of week one was stunning; bright
blue skies and a light breeze welcomed both Marv and Grant.
Maisie and Marv shared breakfast whilst Grant and I packed
up. The initial part of the day was spent alongside a loch
and in deep woodland providing shade for Marv. I went on to
meet his mum and Ken in Contin where they had organised lunch,
and a field for Marv, in a beautiful old hotel. We all walked
back to meet Grant and both horse and rider enjoyed a good
lunch before heading off on the final stretch to Muir of Ord.
Spirits were high and Grant reached the stables whilst we
were all still out. We all visited Marv throughout the evening;
he was blissfully happy in a large stable with a deep bed
and a big hay net. It would be safe to say that everyone slept
well that night.
The following morning heralds the start of a new week, Ann,
Grant’s mum had warned us the night before that the
weather was not looking good. Where we left Grant and Marv
later that day thy were both soaked to the skin, but more
on that next week.
If I was to sum up the first week on Grants behalf (and believe
me he will read this at some point and change it if he does
not agree) I would say he has experienced some extreme emotions.
He has had doubts and questioned the reasons behind this journey.
He has also formed a unique relationship with Marv, woken
up and fallen asleep surrounded by amazing scenery and stunning
views and met some amazing people. His experiences so far
have strengthened his determination and confirmed his belief
that this is where he should be and what he should be doing.
TO quote from his own notes “Beautiful night- Marv munching
grass next to me – legs knackered – this is what
it is all about.’
Many thanks to the people below who kindly provided grazing
and shelter for Marv and for some of those nights a bed, food
and good company for Grant. He would also like to thank all
those along the route for their good wishes, encouragement
and sponsorship.
Sunday - Fiona Green – Mybster
Monday - Jim and Kim Leonard, Forsinard
Tuesday – Johnny Cruickshank, Gearnsay
Wednesday - John Moodie, Rogart
Thursday - Kate Matheson, Roddie Cameron, Amat
Friday - Stephanie and Sandy Grant, Inchbae Farm
Saturday – Emma and Rory, Chapelton Farm, Muir of Ord
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