24/02/25 – Monday fun with Tilly. Today the plan was the Luss horseshoe route. Not done this one before and it was the ideal length so decided to give it a shot. It starts from Luss and can be done clockwise or anticlockwise. From Luss itself the start is only a few hundred meters over the bridge crossing the main road and near the start of the Fairie Trail. Turn left and see fairies, go straight up the road and do the loop clockwise or do what I did and opt for right at the sign for the anticlockwise version via Beinn Dubh first then over to Coire na-h Eanachan before down and onto the road. I didn’t fancy the down off Beinn Dubh with Tilly but after the run I have now reconsidered and think it would have been an easier down. This meant I missed the fantastic view unless I remembered to stop and turn round but decided I’d prefer staying upright. It is always a steep climb and heading up the way I did but I did have Tilly helping pull me up (except when she got good smells and then I was going in every direction).
At the top it was blowing a gale but 360 panoramic views. It was a lovely but boggy stretch across the top from Beinn Dubh to Coire. From here the downhill began, I usually love a downhill but not when Tilly is attached to me and if trying to pull me down it. It was a fast and furious downhill, somehow, I managed to stay upright but a few close calls. Hit the undulating road and the bottom and then back to Luss.
By now I’d hit 11km and about 800m elevation. The turning up Beinn Dubh is also where you can start Luss Fairie Trail, so I opted to add another 2km and head along the trail and the river until hit the loch. Wee dip for Tilly before into the Coach house Coffee Shop for a fantastic scone and cuppa plus Tilly got a puppacinno. Tilly is not very well behaved in cafes, so this was a test for her. Only a couple of barks until we were about to leave, and she saw another dog. She went mental and I felt the stare…. Bill paid and quick exit. Any tips of dog behaviour in cafes?
