Day 1 Glasgow to Milngavie
Pickup at Glasgow Airport and transfer to your first accommodation
in Milngavie.
Milngavie; pronounced (Mill Guy) is situated approximately
16 KM-10 miles north of Glasgow and the official start
of the West Highland Way.
The history of Milngavie dates back to at least 1600,
when there was a mill here in a village known at the time
as Millgay. The town's early growth owed much to the textile
industry, and James Watt was experimenting with chlorine
bleaching here by 1780s. (Evening meal on your own tonight)
Day 2 Milngavie to
Drymen
A day that is a perfect introduction to the West Highland
Way and the lowlands of the Scottish countryside. The
trail follows a series of old railway lines, country tracks
and lanes, offering you some superb scenery and your first
glimpse of the Scottish Mountains. If you are lucky you
may get your first glimpse of some Roe Deer and birds
of prey like the Kestrel and Red Kite. Depending on what
time of the year you do the tour, this section also offers
you an abundance of wild flowers. (Evening meal included
tonight)
Distance: 19.5 km/12 miles, Ascent: 200 m/600 ft
Day 3 Drymen to Rowardennan
Today's section is broken down into two parts, the first
taking you through Garadhban Forest and across the side
of your first hill, "Conic Hill", which overlooks
the small village of Balmaha (a perfect place for a liquid
lunch!) and your first glimpse of Scotland's largest freshwater
loch, "Loch Lomond".
From Balmaha the trail takes you along by the shores of
Loch Lomond and into Ben Lomond National Memorial Park.
(Evening meal included tonight)
Distance: 24 km/15 miles, Ascent: 360 m/1200 ft
Day 4 Rowardennan to
Inverarnan
Almost all of today's walk sees you travelling along the
eastern shores of the loch as it traverses through a mixture
of woodlands; under the steep slopes of Ben Lomond. This
is probably one of the toughest days of the whole trail,
but you will be truly rewarded with spectacular and stunning
scenery across the loch and into the high distant mountains.
If luck is on your side today you may get a glimpse of
the magnificent golden eagle. Since the early 20th century
golden eagles in Scotland have recovered, having reached
a low point of perhaps as few as 150 pairs. Now there
are over 420 pairs and the population is stable. (Evening meal on your own tonight)
Distance: 22.5 km/14 miles, Ascent: 240 m/720 ft
Day 5 Inverarnan to
Tyndrum
The trail now leaves Loch Lomond on a relatively easy
section that takes you north-west along by the base of
Ben Glas Mountain, through Glen Folloch and onto Strath
Fillan. As you travel along you will cross and re-crosses
the river Folloch which is the main east-west natural
divide of the Scottish Highlands.
As you pass the village of Crianlarich it is half-way
on your days walk but more importantly it is half way
to Fort William!
Before you get to your destination you will pass what
remains of the ruins of St. Fillan's Priory. St. Fillan
was an Irish Monk; active as a missionary during the 8th
century and many miraculous tales of his exemplary life
have being handed down through the generations. The day
finishes on in the small village of Tyndrum.
(Evening meal is included tonight)
Distance: 21.5 km/13.4 miles, Ascent: 280 m/840 ft
All travelers who use
this wild and beautiful place will do so in peace if they
tread there path lightly (An inscription from a plaque as you approach the remains
on the priory)
Day 6 Tyndrum to Inveroran
This is another beautiful section of the West highland
Way that follows an old military road out of Tyndrum.
For a short distance it takes you along by the West Highland
Railway-Line that links Glasgow with Fort William. Along
by the base of Beinn Odhar; past the famous Viaduct to
Auch Glen and along by Beinn Dorain. Both of these mountains
are a spectacular sight and if we are lucky we may get
a glimpse of some Golden Eagles gracefully soaring above
us We will pass a working farm not far our of Tyndrum
that is famous for its herd of Highlander Cattle (Native
cattle of the Scottish Highlands).
Our day finishes in Inveroran; which will be our base
for the night. (Evening meal is included tonight)
Distance: 15 km/9 miles. Ascent: 255 m/760 ft
Day 7 Inveroran to
Kinlochleven
One of the most remote sections of the trail which follows
an old drover's road that skirts along the western fringe
of Rannoch Moor. (I can find no words that can justify
my experience on this section of the trail) One has to
personally walk it to experience the peace and serenity
that it has to offer. Wild red deer; black grouse and
sheep roam at will here.
It offers you everything from stark countryside, lush
glens; sparkling Lochs and an abundance of flora and fauna.
The trail from Inveroran follows an old drover's road
that was constructed around 1750. Through the wild and
barren Rannoch Moor; past Kings House Hotel where the
trail enters the beautiful scenery of Glencoe and at Altnafeadh
climbs steadily over the Devils Staircase. This is an
old military road that rises to almost 500 m/ 1500 ft
at its highest point before making a long descent into
Kinlochleven. (Dinner is on your own tonight)
Distance: 34 km/21.25 miles, Ascent: 550 m/1650 ft
Day 8 Kinlochleven
to Fort William
The final section of the West Highland Way takes you back
onto the old military road; with a steady climb out of
Kinlochleven; through an area of natural woodlands that
every now and then offers you some splendid views over
Loch Leven and back over part of your previous walk. You
will pass an old ruined village called Tigh-Na-Sleubhaich
and clear evidence of its once inhabitants can still be
seen to the present day.
The final part of the trail takes you down into Glen Nevis;
where you will have some great views of Ben Nevis; Scotland's
highest mountain.
The trail finishes at the visitors centre in Fort William.
Distance: 24 km/15 miles, Ascent: 225 m/675 ft
Day 9 Ben Nevis or
Relax!
Today you have the option to take a boat tour on Loch
Linnhe, relax and do some shopping and sightseeing in and around
Fort William or climb the highest mountain in the British
Isles; Ben Nevis 1344 m/4044 ft.
If you are going to take on Ben it is only a short bus
ride from Fort William to the base of the mountain. Ben
Nevis standing at 1344 m/4032 ft; a tough walk but the
rewards are tremendous.
The trail cross the river Nevis to join the Mountain Track,
which takes us to the summit and back. Along the way you
will have some stunning views into the valley of Glen
Nevis and the surrounding mountains. Furthermore, if luck
is on our side, and if we have a clear day, the views
from the summit are simply breathtaking.
Distance: 16 km, Ascent: 1324 m
Celebration dinner and some whiskey sampling tonight!
Day 10
After a hearty Scottish breakfast we bid farewell well
to the Scottish Highlands and head back to Glasgow to
re-join the real world once more.
