I'm having to pull out as I have picked up lyme disease from ticks I got during a three day trip at easter here in Scotland - I wasn't being particularly mindful of ticks at the time and was through some places that were in hindsight ideal for ticks (not on HTR route).  Don't want to spoil the excitement but I'd suggest having some way to avoid them would be wise.  Nick mentioned some insect repellant suncream which might be a good option.  The ones I got were tiny, size of a pinhead at most which perhaps also led me not to notice till I was back home.
Going to aim to do an ITT once back up to strength, hopefully late June so looking forward to hearing the stories from everyone to help me out for that!  Gutted not to be joining the group start but at least there's the option to do it later.  Have a good one all that make it to the start.

I toured some of the route last year including the Fisherfield part and the river was about mid thigh at the loch, recommended crossing point.  The water is basically still with no current so not too scary and as Alan mentioned the river bed is smooth.  Not sure I'd be too keen to head out into the loch looking for the sandy U shape from google image.  It rained heavily all day the day before until evening and was then dry.  There was debris on the river backs 1 - 2 metres above water level which suggests the water can get pretty high and would be impassable.

Feet were wet much of the time I was out as there is usually boggy ground to walk, unavoidable puddles, stream crossings or rain but feet weren't cold with decent wool socks.

I rode the new way into Fisherfield as well and the descent was good, steep track with a great bit of singletrack along the valley to get to Shenavel.