West Highland Way

[DuaneS]

In 2018, a year after I walked the Camino Frances, I decided to walk the West Highland Way in Scotland. I finally got around to doing a post about it on my blog. If anyone is interested about that hike and wants to check it out, here it is.

https://www.duanestorey.com/hiking/walking-the-west-highland-way-in-scotland/

 

[D74]

Great blog, thanks for sharing.

I too have walked the West Highland Way, but my friend and I unwisely decided to try it in 5 days...after months of being sat at home during lockdown, with mimimal training. Let's just say I should've bought shares in compeed and deep heat.

 

[Glenshiro]

I walked the WHW with my brother in 2009. It's 154 km (95.6 miles) long with a cumulative ascent of 4500 metres (14760 feet.) It's a beautiful, if occasionally challenging, 7 day walk.

Once a year, on the longest day, (20/21 June) about 200 runners set off from Milngavie at 1:00 am to run the course. (They passed us in 2009, which is how I found this out.) The course must be completed in no more than 36 hours. The men's and women's records are 13:41:08 and 17:16:20 respectively. Yes, that's 13 and 17 HOURS. I have to lie down just thinking about it.

 

[Paul Wilson]

I’m fortunate enough to live close to the start of the WHW and will hopefully be walking it and the Great Glen Way in May as I can’t get to SJPdP just yet, there are many great walks to enjoy in Scotland until it’s safe to travel again. Buen camino mi amigos

 

[Camino Chrissy]

In 2018, a year after I walked the Camino Frances, I decided to walk the West Highland Way in Scotland. I finally got around to doing a post about it on my blog. If anyone is interested about that hike and wants to check it out, here it is.

https://www.duanestorey.com/hiking/walking-the-west-highland-way-in-scotland/

Nice blog write-up and pictures Duane. I have saved "Mac's Adventures" to my bookmarks for potential future daydreaming possibilities since you have spoken so highly of them.

 

[DuaneS]

Thanks everyone! I walked the Great Glen Way in August of 2020 - Spain loosened restrictions for a few months so I managed to get to Scotland - after 90 days of house arrest due to COVID19, it was pure bliss walking in the highlands again. I'll post my review of that as soon as it's ready, likely in a few days.

 

[DuaneS]

Nice blog write-up and pictures Duane. I have saved "Mac's Adventures" to my bookmarks for potential future daydreaming possibilities since you have spoken so highly of them.

Yah they have been great both times I have used them. I'll definitely use them again when the time comes in the future.

 

[Dougie1982valley]

Excellent blog Duane. I’ve also been fortunate enough to walk the WHW. Stunning Scottish trail which turned out to be the gateway drug that formed my Camino addiction Well done on getting to Ashton lane for a few drinks too, great part of town! Buen Camino

 

[Katycamino]

Midges are indeed horrible wee beasties best avoided. But they’re not around all year and there’s a useful website at: smidgeup.com that comes online in spring and is map based showing how good (or bad!) the midges are in a particular area.
It’s on a scale of 1-5 (eg 4 = ‘that’s no mist it’s midges!)
Great hike but choose your time is the recommendation.

 

[Doogman]

I walked The West Highland Way in April/May of 1986. It's easy to remember because I was walking while the Chernobyl disaster occurred. My friend and I walked through drizzle for most of it, and later found out that being outdoors in the rain was maybe not the best of ideas at that time. However, I'm still here, so hopefully no great damage was done. It was a great walk.

 

[lt56ny]

In 2018, a year after I walked the Camino Frances, I decided to walk the West Highland Way in Scotland. I finally got around to doing a post about it on my blog. If anyone is interested about that hike and wants to check it out, here it is.

https://www.duanestorey.com/hiking/walking-the-west-highland-way-in-scotland/

Two of my best friends from college and their wives walked it in 2019. They loved it and had a great time. I will check out your blog. Thanks for sharing. I will also send them the link to help them relive their great memories.

 

[DuaneS]

In case anyone is interested, I just finished writing my write-up for the Great Glen Way as well. I managed to get out of Spain after the first lockdown, and I headed there in August of 2020 for a quick hike.

Walking The Great Glen Way In Scotland — The Duane Storey

This last weekend I finally got around to writing up my trip report for my hike along the West Highland Way in 2018. Now that that’s out of the way, I’m thankful I can finally get around to posting my thoughts on the Great Glen Way.

www.duanestorey.com

I preferred the West highland way I think, but it was still nice.

 

[Ian L]

Thanks for posting this Duane, nice write-up and pics! I have plans to walk the GGW this summer if conditions permit.

We will be spending some extra time in Scotland to do some more sightseeing, so if the weather is good I would like to try hiking up Ben Nevius.

 

[DuaneS]

Thanks for posting this Duane, nice write-up and pics! I have plans to walk the GGW this summer if conditions permit.

We will be spending some extra time in Scotland to do some more sightseeing, so if the weather is good I would like to try hiking up Ben Nevius.

Great! Yah I never did the hike up Nevis - when I arrived the first time I was tired from the WHW.. But looks like a good hike!

 

[gaelnicholson]

In 2018, a year after I walked the Camino Frances, I decided to walk the West Highland Way in Scotland. I finally got around to doing a post about it on my blog. If anyone is interested about that hike and wants to check it out, here it is.

https://www.duanestorey.com/hiking/walking-the-west-highland-way-in-scotland/

Great blog, thanks! I'm really keen to walk the WHW some day also. As I'm mostly a solo hiker I found the single supplements that Macs Adventures ask is quite high so hopefully I can organise it myself and walk no more than 17-20kms per day.

 

[gaelnicholson]

Midges are indeed horrible wee beasties best avoided. But they’re not around all year and there’s a useful website at: smidgeup.com that comes online in spring and is map based showing how good (or bad!) the midges are in a particular area.
It’s on a scale of 1-5 (eg 4 = ‘that’s no mist it’s midges!)
Great hike but choose your time is the recommendation.

I had a wonderful roadtrip in Scotland in August/Sept 2019 and was amazed not to find even one midge along the way thank goodness. However, a lady in one YHA gave me her Avon midge spray in case, so I'll take it along when I return to explore some more. I love Scotland and its stunning scenery and hikes.

 

[Harland2019]

If anyone decides to walk the WHW and is standing at Glasgow station waiting for the announcement for the train to Milngavie you will wait a long time, they pronounce it Mullguy! I walked both the WHW and the GGW in 2008 arranging my accommodation via the internet, no problem although I didn't have anything transferred ahead.

 

[DuaneS]

Great blog, thanks! I'm really keen to walk the WHW some day also. As I'm mostly a solo hiker I found the single supplements that Macs Adventures ask is quite high so hopefully I can organise it myself and walk no more than 17-20kms per day.

Really? I never found that. I actually did the math on one trip and thought it was really reasonable. Considering they handle all the logistics and also do baggage transfer daily, I thought it was great value myself.

 

[David61]

However, a lady in one YHA gave me her Avon midge spray

The said spray is used by the Royal Marines (and me), stings like hell when it gets in the eyes!

 

[Dromengro]

Probably lots has changed since I walked it in 1980, the biggest change probably is that you can have your bag carried for you. I carried a heavy canvas tent with wooden poles, a wool army blanket and a frying pan to cook over a wood fire and keeps the midges away. I think I walked it before it was officially open. I didn't start at Milnagavie but hitchhiked to the end of Loch Lomond and took about 3 or 4 days.

 

[Arctic_Alex]

The WHW is really nice and has quite some infrastructure. Even decades ago. I did walk a nearly deserted WHW early in 1997. Great fun!
Here is my old website with some scans .... wonder what has changed these days:
http://www.photoscapes.eu/travel/whw97/

 

[Arctic_Alex]

https://www.duanestorey.com/hiking/walking-the-west-highland-way-in-scotland/

Now I actually went through all your pictures there and fond memories reappeared. A bit sad though to see your shot "A Little House" as it apparently is on its way to become a ruin. Here is a shot 24 years ago:

 

[maryalex]

In 2018, a year after I walked the Camino Frances, I decided to walk the West Highland Way in Scotland. I finally got around to doing a post about it on my blog. If anyone is interested about that hike and wants to check it out, here it is.

https://www.duanestorey.com/hiking/walking-the-west-highland-way-in-scotland/

In 2018, a year after I walked the Camino Frances, I decided to walk the West Highland Way in Scotland. I finally got around to doing a post about it on my blog. If anyone is interested about that hike and wants to check it out, here it is.

https://www.duanestorey.com/hiking/walking-the-west-highland-way-in-scotland/

Thank you. I have been looking at doing the Clyde Walkway to WHW to Great Glen Way.

 

[Harlan Sager]

Planning to walk WHW and Great Glen Way in July, COVID permitting with 5 other friends. I may have missed it in the blog but what month were you hiking. Hope our Australian fly nets help with Midges.

 

[Sherpa47]

In 2018, a year after I walked the Camino Frances, I decided to walk the West Highland Way in Scotland. I finally got around to doing a post about it on my blog. If anyone is interested about that hike and wants to check it out, here it is.

https://www.duanestorey.com/hiking/walking-the-west-highland-way-in-scotland/

I have walked the Camino de Santiago twice and twice also for the West Highland Way. Your blog brought back many happy memories. Always remember meeting an elderly Irish man tending the garden at the Inn at Inveroran, he asked where we were heading, we said up to Fort William via Rannoch Moor and Glencoe. His response ‘Nothing to see up there only mountains and lochs!’, we fell about laughing. Once again thanks for a lovely trip down memory lane.
Sherpakev

https://www.duanestorey.com/hiking/walking-the-west-highland-way-in-scotland/

 

[LakeMcD]

Would you mind sharing what your average daily cost was on the WHW.

 

[Glenshiro]

Sadly, it's not cheap (unless you wild camp, which some do.) It's the most popular long-distance trail in the UK, so booking accommodation is essential, and most people use a bag-carrying service. Mr Google will give you a number of agents, such as this one.

Go if you can - you won't regret it,

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I thoroughly enjoyed your write-up Duane and pretended I was walking it with you! Because of your opinion I would choose the WHW if ever allowed to fly out of the US again and would consider it an add-on to a trip hiking in England.

 

[DuaneS]

Would you mind sharing what your average daily cost was on the WHW.

I used Macs adventure, and my receipt showed I paid 1100 GBP for two people. That includes 7 days of accommodation, breakfast, and daily bag transfer for both of us. I'm sure you could do it for cheaper, but we both were busy and it was nice to have someone else handle all the logistics for us so we could just show up. Often we'd buy a bag lunch from the hotels for the day, or stop if there was a place to eat, and grab some dinner and drinks in the evenings. So likely another 20-30 GBP per day for lunch and dinner.

 

[DuaneS]

I thoroughly enjoyed your write-up Duane and pretended I was walking it with you! Because of your opinion I would choose the WHW if ever allowed to fly out of the US again and would consider it an add-on to a trip hiking in England.

Great, glad you enjoyed it! Happy hiking!

 

[Michelle_McA]

In 2018, a year after I walked the Camino Frances, I decided to walk the West Highland Way in Scotland. I finally got around to doing a post about it on my blog. If anyone is interested about that hike and wants to check it out, here it is.

https://www.duanestorey.com/hiking/walking-the-west-highland-way-in-scotland/

Stunning. Adding to my list of dreams. Thanks for the details!

 

[Anne&Pat]

Thanks Duane, for your two blogs on the WHW and GGW. They brought back many wonderful memories of our walking both walks. We walked the WHW in October, 2015 and the GGW in May, 2019. We loved both walks, enjoyed the magnificent scenery and found a 'camino' family while walking the GGW, two ladies from BC, Canada and two gentlemen from the UK and had a few pleasant evenings in their company and while walking. I(Anne) am from Scotland, so I was very pleased to be back walking there.
A great days walk from Invermoriston to Drumnadrochit on the GGW, looking back to where we had come from through this viewcatcher sculpture with views back down the Great Glen.
We walked the WHW using the company Absolute Escapes, which was good but organised the GGW all ourselves, which worked out very well. In fact we think we stayed in the same B & B you did Duane in Spean
Bridge! This is the garden of the B & B.

 

[Roz.K]

My husband and I walked the WHW in June 2010, but in reverse, starting at Fort William and finishing in Milngavie. The reason being, that Mark rode from Land's End to John O'Groats on his bicycle the 12 days prior to the hike. We used "Pack horse" to move on our 20kg.luggage daily, and just carried day packs. So, we left Bank St.Lodge in Fort William then walked to Blackwater Hostel in Kinlochleven. Next day, we hiked to Inveroran Hotel. Then, we walked to Ben More Lodge/hotel in Crianlarich. Next day= Inversnaid Bunkhouse. Then Balmaha House/bunkhouse and finally, we finished at the Premier Inn at Milngavie, where we were able to do all our laundry. The best part is that we then caught the train from Glasgow to St.Bees, and over the next 2 weeks, we hiked the "Coast to Coast" walk, finishing at Robin Hood's Bay. This is my husbands favourite long distance trail...we have done it twice and thoroughly recommend it.

 

[Former member 49149]

Thanks Duane, for your two blogs on the WHW and GGW. They brought back many wonderful memories of our walking both walks. We walked the WHW in October, 2015 and the GGW in May, 2019. We loved both walks, enjoyed the magnificent scenery and found a 'camino' family while walking the GGW, two ladies from BC, Canada and two gentlemen from the UK and had a few pleasant evenings in their company and while walking. I(Anne) am from Scotland, so I was very pleased to be back walking there.
View attachment 93516A great days walk from Invermoriston to Drumnadrochit on the GGW, looking back to where we had come from through this viewcatcher sculpture with views back down the Great Glen.
We walked the WHW using the company Absolute Escapes, which was good but organised the GGW all ourselves, which worked out very well. In fact we think we stayed in the same B & B you did Duane in Spean
Bridge! This is the garden of the B & B.
View attachment 93517

Dromnadrochit. Can you hear the music in it? Beautiful!

 

[DuaneS]

Thanks Duane, for your two blogs on the WHW and GGW. They brought back many wonderful memories of our walking both walks. We walked the WHW in October, 2015 and the GGW in May, 2019. We loved both walks, enjoyed the magnificent scenery and found a 'camino' family while walking the GGW, two ladies from BC, Canada and two gentlemen from the UK and had a few pleasant evenings in their company and while walking. I(Anne) am from Scotland, so I was very pleased to be back walking there.

I'm from BC, Canada (a little town called Chilliwack, although I did all my schooling in Vancouver) - so I'm glad you met some friendly people from my home province to walk with!

 

[Harland2019]

Although, of course, out of date as I walked the WHW and the GGW in 2008 it cost £278.75 for 11 nights accommodation. That included 2 nights in Fort William for sightseeing/rest. 10 days walking about 168 miles in total.

 

[Portboy]

Lovely to read this blog about a very popular trail with stunning scenery.
I walked from St Jean Pied de Port to Finisterre in 2019. It took me 24 days and I stayed in albergues every night, municipal ones whenever I could.
The WHW was the first long distance trail I walked though. In 2011 I walked it in conjunction with "compleating" my first round of Munros (3000+ feet peaks, 282 to climb). I climbed Ben Lomond from Rowardennan then walked to Fort William. The day after I climbed Carn mor Dearg and Ben Nevis to "compleat" my round.
The next time I walked the WHW was in 2015 when I walked from Cape Wrath lighthouse to Mull of Galloway lighthouse. This takes in the CWT, WHW, CCP, ACP and finally the MofGT. Around 500 miles long it is the International Appalachian Trail (Scotland). I carried a tent with me but of the 3 1/2 days on the WHW I used the hostels. From Milgavnie to Mull of Galloway there are no hostels.
The last time (and probably final time) I walked the WHW was in 2018. This time I walked from John o' Groats to Mull of Galloway and followed the JoGT, GGW, WHW, CCP, ACP & MofGT. Again around 500 miles but this time I slept in a bivvy bag when not in the hostels. I sleep under shelters or on park benches!
All the above were "thru-hikes" as the Americans say, where you walk the trail end-to-end in one outing.
There was questions about costs earlier. I spend 3 1/2 days on the WHW each time. I use the Bank Street Hostel in Fort William, the Blackwater Hostel in Kinlochleven, the By the Way Hostel in Tyndrum and the NTS Bunkhouse in Rowardennan. These are all cheap and adequate hostels with good amenities and there is no need to come off trail! On the other trails I use bothies where possible or bivvy!
I must mention midges as they are a nuisance. Normally they appear June - September. I plan my walks for April and May and the first item I pack is a midge net. Wear long sleeves and trousers when walking as they will protect you from ticks also!
I'm hoping to get back to Spain this year to walk Santiago - Muxia - Finisterre - Santiago followed by the Camino Norte next year.

Buen Camino, Frank.

 

[Mycroft]

In 2018, a year after I walked the Camino Frances, I decided to walk the West Highland Way in Scotland. I finally got around to doing a post about it on my blog. If anyone is interested about that hike and wants to check it out, here it is.

https://www.duanestorey.com/hiking/walking-the-west-highland-way-in-scotland/

Thanks for bringing back memories of my 2004 WHW pilgrimage!

 

[Egret]

Great reports. Unfortunately I don't think Americans are going to be allowed in any time soon.

 

[Luv2Walk Jo]

In 2018, a year after I walked the Camino Frances, I decided to walk the West Highland Way in Scotland. I finally got around to doing a post about it on my blog. If anyone is interested about that hike and wants to check it out, here it is.

https://www.duanestorey.com/hiking/walking-the-west-highland-way-in-scotland/

Loved your post and the awesome photos! I along with another 16 people are scheduled to hike the West Highland Way starting the first of July, 2022 and hopefully will be able to do it but all will depend on COVID (was scheduled to do the hike July 2021 but had to cancel due to COVID restrictions). Out of the group there are 5 of us that will continue on and hike the Great Glen Way. I also had contacted Mac's Adventure to inquire about the hike but their itinerary did not work for us so I contacted another company who were able to use the itinerary I had put together and booked all our accommodations for us plus provide luggage transfer. I also have walked the Camino Frances and Camino Portugal so very excited to hiking the West Highland Way and Great Glen Way.