Taking off my walking boots one last time was like saying goodbye to a dear old friend

Taking off your boots at the end of a walk is usually accompanied by a sigh of relief that the strains of the day are done and the hiker can be satisfied they’ve had a good day out on the hills.

But, coming off Beinn Dubhchraig, I had a sense of sadness – this would be the last time I’d unlace my faithful footwear.

At the start of the walk, by bubbling burns in a wood of pine and birch, I snagged a toecap on the end of a tree root, leaving a gaping hole in the boot.

Now, I do get through quite a lot of boots, being a regular walker, but this pair were special, they were the best I’ve ever owned – at this point I could bore the reader with tales of Brashers, Meindls and Mammuts, but suffice to say these Salomon boots were the most comfy I’ve had.

They were perhaps not the most technically made but were definitely an overall good fit and had a sturdy sole which had done me proud on everything from clambering on the Cuillin ridge to canoeing on Highland lochs with the children.

I continued with the walk, out of the woods and by the beautiful waterfalls and pools of the Allt Coire Dubhchraig.

The hole in my boot had grown slightly bigger but the boggy ground, gradually being overcome by brilliant path work carried out by the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland, meant my toes were only getting a wee bit soaking.

Then the Munro’s corrie was crested and a magnificent view of Ben Oss and Ben Lui greeted me.

Once at the summit, Loch Lomond and the Arrochar Alps were laid out like a topographical map, while closer to hand were the wonderful Crianlarich hills dominated by Ben More.

My thoughts of including Ben Oss on the same day, as many do fairly easily, were abandoned over fears that the hole in my boot may get worse.

So, an amble back down made me think of the other great places this footwear had taken me – it was almost like saying goodbye to an old friend.

Eventually, inevitably, they were taken off and placed in the car for one last time. However, they will make a nice couple of plant pots for the garden!

Top tip: Respect tree roots! It may sound like advice for a child but – after my experience – it is plain they need to be negotiated carefully.

Beinn Dubhchraig, Ben Oss and Ben Lui near Tyndrum

Location: Beinn Dubhchraig Length: 9 miles Height gained: 2,640ft Time: 5 to 6 hours, OS Landranger 50 Parking: Turn off the A82 at Dalrigh, a mile south of Tyndrum. There’s a car park a few yards down the single track road, on the left.