After an amazing year and a half together, it became very apparent that Rocky is built for adventure and hiking, having walked many of the trails in the local area. Adventure called and the Highlands of Scotland summoned our souls to venture on the journey of a lifetime together. A 100-mile hike and wild camping from the lowlands of Scotland all the way to the Highlands. Lifetime memories were made and he smiled from start to finish.
The trail is famous for its many challenges, including multiple terrain, brutal weather and storms and a climb that totalled over 11,500 ft in elevation over the whole journey. He loved it and the trail was taken at Rocky’s pace. Some days he walked one mile, some days he walked ten. Wherever he stopped, we set up a wild camp.
Over the twelve days he played in every stream, swam in loch Lomond and spent his evenings around a wild campfire with a great feed. We climbed Conic Hill, scrambled the low road of Loch Lomond, climbed the world-famous Devil’s Staircase and faced the ruthlessness of Glencoe and Ranoch Moor under the stormy Scottish skies.
With every step we took our bond intensified and I could see a new level of peace restored. You could see past traumas healing as he gazed out at the most serene views and observed them for hours. It was such an emotional journey, and he soon learned that wherever we are in the world, his welfare and wellbeing will always be my top priority.
Rocky completed a journey that tens of thousands of people cannot complete due to its harsh challenges. He stole the heart of every hiker and made a huge impact on the trial with his happy and excitable persona. Learning new lessons on social skills and how to act accordingly around other dogs, especially ones who approach him off the lead.
All in all, we walked under thirteen rainbows, camped on famous battle sites and slept in magical forests filled with hundreds of owls. We walked through rainclouds in the mountains and strolled through weather inversions that made the whole experience seem spiritual as we reconnected with nature in a way like never before. We slept in a bothy with twelve international strangers, and he acted like a true gentleman, greeting everyone with his beautiful smile while respecting everyone’s space, while the open fireplace roared out with a beautiful heat that warmed us all. His snores hypnotising everyone and bringing us all to sleep early.
We set off on a wee adventure – but it turned out to be a soul-searching journey for us both. Every step of the way was journaled, and we took away a million and one memories that will last as long as the Highlands themselves.
We came together through heartache and together, in the mountains, we found happiness, peace and a love like no other.
Our next adventure will be a kayak and wild camp from the West to the East of Scotland, passing through Loch Ness and other amazing wilderness. For now, it’s time to rest his wee legs, feed his body and settle down for the autumn and winter with some good food and the odd trail or two to keep his fitness up.
Thank you to everyone from the PDWRA for bringing us together.
James & Rocky
