Last night I received my fourth postcard from End to End after recording 250 miles of my trip from John O’Groats to Land’s End. I have copied the text in the email below so that my readers can follow the story of my trip. I have also linked this paragraph to the End to End website which I encourage everyone to look at. As I continue to chip away at my virtual journey down Britain, I also wonder if I can count on your support and encouragement by sponsoring me. My JustGiving page is linked to at the bottom of this page.

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We hope you’re enjoying your journey so far, it’s full of beauty and history! Picked up any scottish gaelic words yet?

Halò, Ciamar a tha thu? – Hello, How Are You?
(Pronunciation: Ha low, Kimmer uh ha oo?)

You’re near the shores of Loch Lomond, made famous by the song “The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond”, first published in 1841. Many think of it as a romantic song, but the lyrics actually relate to the Jacobite Rising of 1745.

There are a few theories as to where the name Loch Lomond came from; some believe the word Lomond comes from the Gaelic leamhan, which means elm, making it the “Lake of Elms”. While others suspect Lomond originates from laom, meaning beacon, referring to nearby mountain Ben Lomond as “Beacon Hill”.

Loch Lomond is the largest lake by surface area in Great Britain, and the second largest lake by volume in Great Britain, after Loch Ness.

Today, the loch forms part of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. The Scottish parliament established the park in 2002 as a protected area for conservation. It encompasses around 1,865 km2 of some of the most breathtaking scenery in Scotland.

In the next few miles you’ll bypass Glasgow (the largest city in Scotland) and a fair share of charming Scottish towns, take your time, don’t rush and explore the beauty of Scotland.

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I will carry on cycling and see where I end up next. In the meantime you can sponsor me on my trek from John O’Groats to Lands End in aid of Ataxia UK by clicking here.