The Wild-West Highland Way
Prologue
The time had finally come, I could hold out no longer and I was to visit Scotland for the first time (if you discount a one hour stay in Edinburgh when I was seventeen)! I knew that if I saw the place and walked among its mountains, I would be hooked, so I had put it off until now.
How right I was! The walk exceeded even my expectations and I was very lucky with the weather too. Usually with a long walk, there is a low point. Not so with the West Highland Way. Everything about it is great, and I will probably end up doing it again. I pay tribute to all the people I met and spent time with, and to my brother Colin, who was better company than I could have ever wished for.
Follow the Journey
Milngavie to Drymen – 12.5 miles
The walk begins and a visit to the Glengoyne Whiskey distillery makes for a pleasant break.
Drymen To Rowardennan – 13 Miles
Every turn on the walk above Loch Lomond produced more beauty and wonder, every photo was ‘the one’.
Rowardennan to Inverarnan – 13.5 miles
Anyone who doesn’t visit the Drovers Inn while doing the West Highland Way misses a vital part of it.
Inverarnan to Tyndrum – 12 Miles
Words can not do justice to the beauty of Glen Falloch and it’s a good reason not to set too high a daily mileage goal.
Tyndrum To Kingshouse (Glencoe) – 18.5 Miles
Sod’s law concerning accommodation: At any given point in any village or town, if you don’t know the whereabouts of your accommodation, then you will start the search at exactly the opposite end of that village or town to where it is located.
Kingshouse to Kinlochleven – 9 Miles
The views from the top of the Devil’s Staircase take your breath away (again).
Kinlochleven to Fort William – 15 Miles
The West Highland Way comes to an end, but there is one challenge left to complete: take on Ben Nevis.
The Ascent of Ben Nevis – 4,406 feet (10 Miles)
The ascent of The Ben is one long uphill walk. You start from almost sea level, so you’ve really got to climb every foot of the way.
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