Rest and be Thankful

Saturday 13th February 2010

"Rest and be Thankful" are the words which are located on a memorial stone near to the junction of the A83 Loch Long to Loch Fyne road and the B828 Loch Goil road at the summit of the Pass of Glen Croe some 860 ft above sea level.

It was placed there by soldiers who built the original road in 1753, which was referred to as the "Drovers road". The original stone fell into ruin and was replaced by a commemorative stone at the same spot. The "Rest" as it is called is so named as the climb out of Glen Croe is so long and steep that at the highest point it was traditional to rest at the top, and be thankful that you got there before carrying on with your  journey, you may imagine the condition of the horses in days gone by as they laboured up the old road that can be seen well below the modern road which climbs up steadily  below the southern slopes of "The Cobbler" on the northern side of the Glen. Our starting point today was at the very bottom of the pass on the southern side of Glen Croe where we picked up the forest path leading to the summit where fine views of the Corbetts  Ben Donich, The Brack, Beinn Luibhean, and the impressive and rocky Beinn an Lochain, can all be seen clearly.  A short break was taken to absorb what must be one of the finest views in Scotland before descending again down the old road.

This was a first time for this walk and (though maybe a bit short) everyone enjoyed it, plus the fine weather that was with us completed a great scenic day out.

Joe Roche.