Guinness Book of Records attempt

David Warner, a CLL Support member, is attempting to set a new world record for the oldest person to walk from John O’Groats to Lands End on foot in 100 days while raising funds for CLL Support. He will aim to complete the walk in three separate sections and hopes to begin the first four week section on 1st April. You can support David on his walk by joining him at some point to encourage him along.

These are the places he will be travelling through on Section One: John O’Groats – Wick – Lybster – Dunbeath – Berriedale – Helmsdale – Brora – Golspie – Dornoch – Tain – Alness – Culbokie – Inverness – Drumnadrochit – Invermoriston – Fort Augustus – Invergarry – Spean Bridge – Fort William – Kinlochleven – Kingshouse – Tyndrum – Ardlui – Rowardennan – Drymen – Milngavie – Glasgow City Centre – Lesmahagow – Abington – Moffat – Lockerbie – Gretna – Carlise.

Latest update from David on week one:

“I’m on schedule and have reached Golspie, in Sutherland. I’ve walked 91 miles. For the first four days I was walking along the A9 (or a detour to avoid it which turned out to be far longer than my app showed) because the clifftop route is too waterlogged. Since then I’ve been able to walk mostly off road, far more agreeable. The weather has been challenging: above all cold, very windy and some heavy rain. Once off road the views are wonderful. The Caithness coastline is a series of bays, big and small and many towns have small harbours from the herring industry times. One passes cairns as old as Stonehenge and 1600 year old carvings made by the Picts. An obelisk records the clearances: it stands on the desolate cliff top site to which villagers were sent. Highland cattle, seals, sheep and turkeys appear. Tomorrow to Dornoch where Elon Musk got married for the second time.”

Week two report on progress:

“I’ve completed the JOG to Inverness stage, 158 miles, and am now walking west along the Great Glen Way towards Fort William where I hope to meet up with a CLL member to walk south along the West Highland Way. I’m on schedule. I started the walk on 1st April to get through Scotland before the midge season. As a result it’s often been very cold, windy and wet and muddy slippery paths which slow me down; But at least the midges are at home doubtless with their feet up by a warm fire. Despite the weather, spring has arrived and I’m seeing a lot of flowers and lambs, calves, ducklings.”

As of 15th April, the end of week 2, David had reached Drumnadrochit on the western shore of Loch Ness, having covered a total of 180 miles.

Week three report on progress:

Week 3 has been four days of walking along the lochs and canals of the Great Glen and now, after a rest day in Fort William, the sweeping moors and glens of the West Highland Way. I’ve met up with fellow CLL-er Doug Scott from Banbury who has brought non stop sunshine! It’s good to have company. I’m on schedule and in week 3 walked 81 miles, bringing the cumulative to 259 miles.

Week four report on progress:

Week 4 has ended with my reaching Glasgow and crossing the Clyde, 352 miles clocked up. Yesterday, Doug and I completed our eight day walk of the West Highland Way, 96 miles (all in sunshine!) and he left to return home. We had a great time together! Nancy Donald, who lives in Glasgow, had joined us for a day, which was also a great pleasure. After almost a month of moors, lochs and villages it is quite a shock to be in a bustling and sprawling city!

Week five report on progress:

In Week 5 I walked 78 miles, from Rutherglen on the Clyde to Gretna. I ended the week 20 yards into England. Cumulative mileage is now 448 miles. The walking has largely been along a Roman road, now a cycle path, past the remains of Roman forts and camps. Mixed weather – I’ve been soaked and baked. One more day of road walking and then, tomorrow, the welcome beauty of the Lake District.

Week six report on progress:

Week 6 started 20 yards into England and ended at Kendal. Six days were spent walking across the Lake District in fabulous weather, apart from the final 15 minutes, so I stumbled into my Kendal Hotel drenched by a thunderstorm. I walked 96 miles, the total now is 544 miles. I’m feeling good. How I look may be another matter because a police car stopped as I was eating a Mars bar and asked if I needed help, and a hotel receptionist asked if I could cope with the stairs.

You can contribute to David’s Just Giving page here.