Peter it's a fine train ride. Views are great and heck you arrive a bit later in the morning. The days are long and it won't get dark till very late, so let the train take the strain. Have a pint to kick off and go for it. Not hard. You'll arrive at the first night stop over in the evening. Your not behind anyone. Its not a race. Relax, enjoy.

Yes - Humphrey and Martin are right.

Of course, if your first day is 45km with 1,800+ metres of time, then you might find an earlier start advisable. But I somehow doubt that it is (that's why we have route vetters ... )

Re: Inverness to Strathcarron