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Melly W.

I am a middle aged park ranger who lives on a tiny, very remote island in the South Pacific Ocean. Now, I understand that I'm not really selling my thru hiking credentials with that sentence! But I assure you, that despite my age, gender, single status and difficult training environment (a complete circumnavigation of my island lasts exactly 32 km), I do really, truely, absolutely LOVE long distance hiking! I've walked a lot of walks over a lot of years, particularly within Australia. This year I'm branching out and heading on my first truely overseas adventure - The Scottish National Trail! I'm excited to share how it goes, and maybe encourage others who are in a similar time of their lives to get out there and give it a go! The feeling of being a full blown superhero, capable of anything, is just one of the reasons I love this amazing gift of a sport.

Posts

A Scottish Story – Day 17, Why must we have these “life lessons”?

A Scottish Story – Day 17, Why must we have these “life lessons”?

  " I must admit.....I did almost cry a little bit on your behalf when you said you were already an hour away...." Staff member at

May 15, 2025 : Melly W.
A Scottish Story – Day 16, Moors, Whiskey and the Birks of Aberfeldy

A Scottish Story – Day 16, Moors, Whiskey and the Birks of Aberfeldy

Distance: 16km The braes ascend like lofty wa's The foaming stream deep-roaring fa's O'erhung w' fragrant spreading shaws - The Birks of

May 14, 2025 : Melly W.
A Scottish Story – Day 15, Up the ravine to camping at some ruins

A Scottish Story – Day 15, Up the ravine to camping at some ruins

I wake to the sun streaming into my tent.  It's too hot.  Almost suffocating.  Groaning I reach for my phone to check the time.

May 13, 2025 : Melly W.
A Scottish Story – Day 14, Into the Wilds…

A Scottish Story – Day 14, Into the Wilds…

Distance: 26km The farmer won out in the end.  It was not a comfortable bed last night, and I tossed and turned for the majority of

May 12, 2025 : Melly W.
A Scottish Story – Day 13, Over desolate hills to the Water of Ruchill

A Scottish Story – Day 13, Over desolate hills to the Water of Ruchill

Distance: Possibly 36km (the GPS was playing up!) Well, I did my homework as promised, and came to the decision that I would give myself a

May 10, 2025 : Melly W.
A Scottish Story – Day 12,  On the Rob Roy Way to Loch Venacher

A Scottish Story – Day 12, On the Rob Roy Way to Loch Venacher

Distance: 33km Oh how nice it is to sleep in a bed! I feel nice and rested when I get up. It's the usual routine. Pack, get food, tape the

May 8, 2025 : Melly W.
A Scottish Story – Day 11, A day on the West Highlands Way

A Scottish Story – Day 11, A day on the West Highlands Way

Distance: 21km Different day, different scenery. I wake up pretty excited. First things first, I tape my feet up. Frankenstein's monster

May 7, 2025 : Melly W.
My worst fears have materialised.

My worst fears have materialised.

Distance: 37km The fact that I only took three photos all day kind of explains everything. I've definitely already passed by the highlights

May 6, 2025 : Melly W.
A ScottisH Story – Day 9, Cruising the Canals.  Again.

A ScottisH Story – Day 9, Cruising the Canals. Again.

Distance: 27km I woke up this morning to find a little gift had been left for me outside the tent. It's a crochet bee with the words "I'm not

May 5, 2025 : Melly W.
A Scottish Story – Day 8, sidestepping on the canals between the city and Linlithgow

A Scottish Story – Day 8, sidestepping on the canals between the city and Linlithgow

Distance: 36km Somehow in my mind I'd built up a bit of a road block when it comes to the next section of the walk. For three days I'm to walk

May 4, 2025 : Melly W.