Saw this postcard on Simon Woodman's blog here

The Great Glen Way being a relatively easy walk is better served with places for refreshment than many long distance footpaths, though on some stretches they remain equally few and far between.  We had quite a few stops for tea and treats along the way but were conscious the final day was essentially cross-country (apart from two VERY boring stretches of road walking, albeit in the middle of nowhere) and we would probably have to depend on water and our 'squirrel bars' (generic term we invented a few years back for muesli bars).

After the incredibly long four-plus mile climb through the forest and a more pleasant stretch at high level, we entered a coppiced area where vertical signs announced 'cafe @ campsite'.  Hurrah, we thought.  After another mile or so of no more signs, and wondering if we'd missed it a whole series of similar signs announced 'beans on toast', 'hot chocolate', 'tea and coffee.'  By now dreading discovering a 'closed' sign when we arrived, we finally spotted a cut-out 'chef' pointing into a gap between some trees.  A dog barked loudly as we followed the faint track between the trees and a bonny (NW England meaning as well as NE England/Scotland meaning) highland woman came striding out to greet us accompanied by an enormous husky, just one of several we would meet.  "Welcome," she said, "Do you want to sit under the trees or in the woodshed?"  We opted for the latter - just the beginning of the most quirky cafe I've ever been in!!

So, here we are, with our steaming mugs of tea and incredibly generous hunks of cake.  Anouk, one of the huskies, seemed to like me and settled down at my feet so relaxed that she failed to bark at the next set of customers!

Our order of 'a slice of cake' turned out to be two think slices each along with butter and two varieties of homemade jam.  Small wonder I gained weight this walk!!  Homemade ginger cake with proper stem ginger - it was fantastic.

As we were getting ready to leave a French-Canadian walker also there asked if there was 'a bathroom' she could use before setting off.  The hostess looked at her for a moment, then said, "there is a toilet, I'll show you."  We thought this sounded a good idea and followed.

We walked back along the trail before turning aside between the trees to where a corrugated iron hut stood.  Unlatching the bungy, the Canadian girl was shown a dry compost toilet and received an explanation of how it worked.  Much amused she then filmed it for posterity - and my friend photographed it.

The experience was certainly entertaining, but the facilities were spotlessly clean and odour free - unlike many bus station loos I have known over the years.

Whilst we wondered what the environmental health officer would make of it (though s/he must have inspected at some point) we also commented on how many people in parts of Africa or Asia would be thrilled to have such a toilet).

Refreshed and relieved, we set off for the remaining miles into Inverness.

The little cafe seems to be a popular stopping off point, and the hosts were generous and humorous.  Sitting in a woodshed with a husky at your feet and hens hoping for cake crumbs is not exactly an everyday experience - any more than the 'fairy at the bottom of the garden' (a term my family always use for outdoor toilets) - but it certainly added entertainment, and a bit of 'pause for thought', to our holiday.

If you Google 'Abriachan Cafe' you can find other walkers' reflections on this quirky yet wonderful place, or Abriachan Campsite for the official website.