Rainspotting // Ossian, unearthed . One of the great things about sharing our stories, is hearing some back. Even better if there are a few extra nuggets of info, and such fine #baaw examples. So here goes, sent in by Jimmy Dee: . “This photo was taken in the late 1980’s. We’d used our bikes to cycle around the Loch, up to Corrour & exit the hostel via the “Road to the Isles” to Rannoch Station. The hostel had very basic facilities: no running water; supply of water was via throwing a bucket off the wooden pier. Toilet was a bucket located adjacent to the building. It needed emptying each morning & in the days when you were allocated hostel duties you hoped you were not chosen. . Tom Rigg spent 23 years as warden there & was the star of the show. In the shooting season he brought the shot deer down off the hill by pony. It was always a very special day spent with Tom stalking the “Gun” over the open Moor. Another unique activity at the hostel is the “Around Loch Ossian Challenge”. Started by Tom in 1977 the dog-eared, black folder holds a catalogue of all people who have run around the Loch in less than an hour. The list continues to grow. . Loch Ossian Youth Hostel originated in the 1890’s – a timberclad former stables / waiting room for the steam yacht that plied Loch Ossian. It was convered to a hostel in 1931 by Scottish Youth Hostel Association, then Refurbished as an eco-hostel 2003. The stables kept a pony to pull a trap from Corrour Railway Station to the boathouse. The steam yacht would carry Sir John Stirling Maxwell & his guests to Corrour Lodge at the east end of the Loch. In 1910 a road was constructed along the loch-side, with cars being transported to Corrour by train. An access track from the north east to connect with the road system was completed by the Forestry Commission in 1972…” . Over & out! . #bikepacking #panniercc #15KPHClub #adventurecycling #cycling #graveltravel #touringroadslikethese #roughstuff #Scotland #Rainspotting #BAAW /