Revel in your success, then climb ben nevis, the highest mountain in scotland if you still have the energy to spare or head to your next adventure. It was scotlands first officially designated longdistance hiking route. The map is great to get an overview of each days distance and terrain we frequently checked it to get an idea of where we are and how long we had to go. The magic of walking in scotland can be distilled into this walk. The trail, which opened in 1980, was scotlands first officially designated long distance route, and is now. West highland way guidebook and os map booklet cicerone.
Stay, places to eat british walking guides charlie loram. We love the west highland way and our main aim is to make sure that you do too. The west highland way didnt really appeal, but i found a book describing a route called the highland high way which was a high level version of the whw, and looked a lot more interesting. The west highland way ends close to the foot of ben nevis, whose climb can make a wonderful addition to your trip. The easier stages in the south will prepare you for the hillier parts that come in the highlands part of the trek.
The walk, which takes roughly one week to complete, is described in seven stages, with each stage ranging from 8 to 20 miles. It is 154 km 96 miles long, running from milngavie north of glasgow to fort william in the scottish highlands, with an element of hill walking in the route. Day 1 is an easy introduction to the west highland way. Guidebook to the west highland way walk, 152km 95 miles over 69 days from milngavie near glasgow to fort william.
Now there is nothing like trekking 915 miles1525 kilometres a day to work up a massive appetite. West highland way selfguided walking holiday macs adventure. The west highland way passes through some of the most spectacular scenery in all. West highland way, the complete guide 2020 discover outside. Todays deals your gift cards help whole foods registry sell disability customer support. Yeah, okay, the east highland way isnt on the old ordnance survey map, but it bloomin well should be. The route begins in milngavie near glasgow and after 95 miles of outstanding scenery, finishes in fort. West highland way walk with return cruise on loch lomond from tarbet. However, some west highland way baggage transfer services offer return packages from fort william back to milngavie. The west highland way celebrates its 40th birthday in 2020. Splits it into nice legs and marks appropriate camp siteshotels. It is traditionally walked from milngavie in the south to fort william in the north.
Not the west highland way describes mountain alternatives above and alongside. The west highland way stretches 96 miles 154 km from milngavie to fort william, taking in a huge variety of scenery along the way, from countryside parks to lochshores and open moorlands to steep mountains. From hiking the bonnie banks of loch lomond, to completing the trail in the shadow of ben nevis, this trail is a showcase of some of the best scenery that scotland has to offer, and a true bucketlist experience. And of course, and most importantly, completing the west highland way. Guests have access to a shared kitchen that has a microwave and a fridge. Scotland and the west highland way scotland is truly a nation of plenty, and the west highland way is the perfect way to experience its staggering beauty. Happy new year 2019 auld lang syne sung by ronnie browne. At the end of the west highland way, and the start of the. West highland way walking tours hiking the scottish highlands. West highland way scottish highlands all you need to. From the outskirts of glasgow it winds for 96 miles 154. West highland way scottish highlands 2020 all you need. Although starting close to glasgow, you are quickly walking through open countryside.
Opened in 1980, the west highland way was scotlands first lon. Jun 12, 2017 the west highland way guidebook by charlie loram is an invaluable source along the trail, as is the west highland way map by harvey. Ive walked the west highland way every june since 2016, when i stumbled on it during an ill planned, all on foot attempt of the 3 peaks challenge. West highland way, milngavie, east dunbartonshire, united kingdom. Knowing that im likely going to have postponemiss this years trek breaks my heart, but at the same time, i also know that however long it. It was the first, and remains most famous, of scotlands great trails, running for 96 miles 154 km through superb scenery.
So youll know which sections are the best rated, which you can put on the top of. Walking holidays in britains most beautiful landscapes 1166 ickledore walking holidays to ememer west highland way discover the dramatic mountain scenery of the west highlands on the classic scottish long distance route. Diversions over mountains, smaller hills or high passes for 8 of. I was really pleased when wayne decided hed found the perfect spot for a time lapse so we could take the packs off again and have a half hour sit down, just before our halfway. Getting to fort william fort william is well serviced by public transport. Normally the route is completed from south to north, the thinking behind this being the southern stages are easier. The official guide 11th edition by bob aitken, roger smith isbn. Depending on when in the year youre planning to walk the west highland way and how warm and cosy you like to be in bed, a threeseason sleeping bag is suitable for most conditions youll face. The digital format is great for a walking guide easier to carry than a book.
Excellent concise map and route plan for walking the west highland way. A guidebook to scotlands west highland way, a 95mile walk from milngavie near glasgow to fort william, passing loch lomond, crossing rannoch moor and finishing in the shadow of britains highest mountain. Bursting with scottish heritage, culture, breathtaking scenes and magnificent landscapes, your journey along the west highland way will forge a lifetime of unforgettable memories. Oct 17, 2019 the 96mile route begins in the town of milngavie, north of glasgow, and finishes in fort william. West highland lodge has rooms with bunk beds and shared bathrooms. Its 93 miles 89 in our version weave past a hit parade of scottish scenery, including loch lomond, rannoch moor, glencoe, and glen nevis. The first section, following the eastern shore of loch lomond, offers an idyllic waterside walk, with the full grandeur of the highlands gradually revealing itself. A decent amount of information with maps and routes you can take depending on how many days you wish to travel for, it also gives you a north to south route as. The printed book is exactly the same price as the ebook and includes complementary downloads of the patterns too. Today youll meet your guide at glasgow queen street station at 8. West highland way guidebook and os map booklet cicerone press. We booked the west highland way with macs adventures and we had a fantastic trip. Depart fort william me at the end of the west highland way in fort william.
Rachel atkinson and jemima bicknell technical editing. This guide to walking the west highland way contains all the information you could need along the route, a detailed faq with trail information and some tips for tackling this incredible hike in scotland yourself. Witness some of scotlands most breathtaking scenery along west highland way, a longdistance footpath. The devilish midgies were absent in the lower elevations and not too bad on. It is one of four officiallyrecognised long distance routes in scotland. Anna macquarrie gaelic editing and nic blackmore book design and layout. You can stock up on supplies in milngavie and head out into nature well prepared. The book covers the entire west highland way, divided into walkable sections. The haul from glencoe, under the gaze of buachaille etive mor, up the devils staircase, then into the hidden valley of lairig mor, are stages to be savoured. West highland way scotlands best loved long distance. This edition of gateway to the west has been excerpted from the original numbers, consolidated, and reprinted in two volumes, with added publishers note, tables of contents, and indexes, by genealogical publishing co.
Find all the information you need to immerse yourself into the wild landscapes of scotland and the countrys best loved long distance walking route. Hayley fastpacks the west highland way in scotland in 3 days. Just received this west highland way guide in the mail. Opened in 1980, the west highland way was scotlands first long distance route and remains the most popular. The 95 mile 154 km trail starts just north of glasgow, and takes you through some of the most dramatic landscapes in the western highlands. Opened in 1980, the west highland way was scotlands first long distance route and remains the most popular, with more than 15,000 walkers tackling it each year. The west highland way needs little introduction for lovers of the scottish outdoors. Gareth bryanjones has walked the way twice with his wife and friends and has twice taken part in the west highland way race. There are bars and a local supermarket 650 feet from west highland lodge, and the local climbing and ice wall is a similar distance away. The location is ideal for mountain biking and walking trails. There is available food and lodging along this 57 day trek. From the outskirts of glasgow it winds for 95 miles along the wooded banks of loch lomond, across the wilderness of rannoch fully revised 5th edition of the first of trailblazers title series. Milngavie to fort william scottish long distance route uk long.
In 20, 180 or so people set out from milngavie and nearly 149. Each of the beautifully photographed areas has a piece of knitwear which was inspired by that specific part of the west highland way. Open up this book, join them on their journey, and make your own west highland way. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. West highland way walking holidays absolute escapes. Although there is only one route, there are many different ways to travel it. The trail is mostly flat throughout the day with no major climbs, passing various landscapes.
Despite being smaller than the state of maine, scotland packs a disproportionate amount of rich history, dramatic geological features, rugged stretches of coastline, and engaging tradition not to mention whisky within its. From the outskirts of glasgow it winds for 95 miles 152km along the wooded banks of loch lomond, across the wilderness of rannoch moor, over the mountains above glencoe to a dramatic finish at the foot of ben nevis britains highest mountain. Let me just start by saying that this is probably the raddest hike i have ever done. Visit west highland way on your trip to scottish highlands. Opened in 1980, the west highland way was scotlands first long distance route and remains the most popular, with more than 15,000walkers tackling it each year. People said a was crazy walking 150kms as a holiday, but i would do it all over again tomorrow. Kate began by creating a collection of twelve handknit designs, each with its own distinctive story to tell. It takes the west highland way in scotland as the starting point for knitwear design. Welcome to everything you need to know about the west highland way, all in one place. Anthony burton is the author of a number of books in the national trail guides series for aurum, including the west highland way, hadrians wall path, the cotswold way and the ridgeway, as well as a biography of richard trevithick and thomas telford and numerous other works of industrial history. The west highland way uk longdistance trails series. Dec 31, 2015 the classic new years eve song sung by ronnie browne the corries on the linn records complete songs of robert burns series. The book won the pulitzer prize for fiction in 1950 and became the basis for a film starring kirk douglas, robert mitchum, and richard widmark the novel is one in the sequence of six by a. I was looking for a decent long distance walk in scotland.
Not the west highland way guidebook cicerone press. Backpacking scotlands west highland way, the west highland. Sep 01, 2006 the west highland way is the most popular longdistance path in the country, passing through some of the most spectacular scenery in all of britain. Opened in 1980, the west highland way was scotland s first long distance route and remains the most popular, with more than 15,000walkers tackling it each year. In the planning stage, we have free guides, comprehensive videos and a host of staff with their own west highland way experience, waiting to answer your questions. Walking the west highland way 5 days is the most popular time frame however many visitors like to take longer, covering fewer miles in each day and spending more time in the towns, villages or campsites of the west coast. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. Its probably a good idea to book your accomodation in advance, let them know you are travelling alone and give them an eta in the morning so they know to raise the alarm if you dont ahow up. Its essential to plan your transport to and from the trail. From november to march, winter conditions can be expected and any walker undertaking the route during these months must be fully prepared and properly equipped.
Mar 22, 2019 the west highland way runs for 96 miles from milngavie to fort william, travelling through some of the most stunning landscapes in scotland. Not only talks you through the journey but gives much history along with summary of distance between stops, heads up if there is accommodation to be found although mine all booked in advance, if there is somewhere to buy supplies, transport and terrain summary. West highland way walking tour wilderness scotland. West highland way is the most famous hike in scotland and one of the best in the world. The west highland way takes you under the railway line via a tunnel. Each leg of the west highland way will be featured here, along with all the. This is the third book ive read as preparation for walking the west highland way whw.
The official guide long distance guides 9th revised edition by roger smith isbn. The west highland way passes through some of the most spectacular scenery in all of britain. The west highland way is scotlands most wellknown longdistance trail. In scotland, the obvious one is fort william where you choose between the great glen way, the east highland way and, the biggie, the west highland way. The west highland waykate davies and tom barr live by scotlands bestloved longdistance walking route. The west highland way starts in milngavie town centre, just 25 minutes by train from glasgow central station. Kate davies and tom barr live by scotlands bestloved longdistance walking route. With addon day trips over ben lomond or beinn dorain. Gordon anderson additional photography and general inspiration. Book your tickets online for west highland way, scottish highlands.
That is why we have investigated the best places to eat along the way and put them together in this nifty interactive west highland way food guide and map. The city where the south downs way, clarendon way and st swithuns way all collide. Traditionally used by walkers, the increasing popularity of offroad touring, and the availability of capable fullsuspension and fat bikes at reasonable. Not the west highland way describes alternative routes over mountains, smaller hills or high passes to all but one of the west highland ways nine stages, providing alternatives away from the main roads. There is a lot of historical, geographical and geological information in this book. We were nervous about doing a self guided walk but the route is so well signposted and we met some lovely people along the. The west highland way embraces diversity, from the urbanity of milngavie to the days in the company of loch lomond, and then the striding splendour of rannoch moor. Learning to thrive 100 miles along the west highland way. However, it is possible to get away with a lighter sleeping bag for warmer weather periods. May 25, 2000 this is the third book ive read as preparation for walking the west highland way whw.
West highland way 2020 2021 the west highland way is the original and most popular long distance walk in scotland. The route passes some of the best scenery in scotland. There are many common pitfals that occur through lack of planning dont get caught. West highland way our walking holidays see below for your options along the west highland way take you into the magnificent countryside of the highlands of scotland following most of scotlands famous footpath on its course from the south of loch lomond to fort william and ben nevis, linking britains largest loch lake with its highest. T he west highland way is the most popular longdistance trail in scotland not at last because it leads through and past some of the most iconic landscapes of the scottish highlands.
The west highland way round is a 99km long distance walking trail. It proceeds by way of country roads, an abandoned railway line, a forest park and scenic conic hill to reach balmaha on loch lomond. Wilderness scotland were an amazing company to book. The west highland way was scotlands first long distance route and remains by far the most popular. Happy to be heading into the hills, with the road running parallel to us finally out of view. Walking the west highland way online guidebook for the west. Definitely use one of the sherpa services though, its way more enjoyable if you are only carrying the essentials. The book gives you a little bit of scottish and english history. From here, the trail enters open countryside and leaves the northern fringe of glasgow city.
It runs from milngavie, on the outskirts of glasgow, to fort william. The west highland way stretches 96 miles 154 km from milngavie to fort william. There are many options, including trains and buses. On the route, we use highquality digital mapping to make sure you never lose your way. The book points out the various geological changes as the whw progresses northward as well throwing in historical information of key landmarks and quoting famous writers and. Well take a short train journey to milngavie, where well drop off our bags, and then we start our west highland way tour. Apr 21, 2018 the west highland way book also benefits from the collaborative expertise of several of our friends. The typical way to hike the west highland way is from milngavie in the south to fort william in the north. Public transport information for all budgets all access points on the path. Bursting with scottish heritage, culture, breathtaking scenes and magnificent landscapes, your journey along the west. Jan 20, 2019 the west highland way runs for 96miles from milgavie, glasgow, to fort william, right through the heart of the highlands.
Can be done faster although the time scale it suggests it is done over is perfect for a leisurely holiday with plenty of stops in pubs along the way. I purchased this book in the hope it would help me to plan my upcoming west highland way trip although it does cover the route i thought it was overshadowed. Milngavie to fort william scottish long distance route includes separate 1. It passes alongside lochs and rivers, travels through. Friday i hopped the train directly to what most consider the best multiday hike in scotland, the west highland way. An essential piece of kit for anyone considering walkinghiking the west highland way. The west highland way, from milngavie to fort william, a distance of 95 miles hills, dense woodland and wildlife make it one of the favourites with hikers from all over the world. The train from glasgow takes approximately 4 hours and takes in the west highland way and a small part of the east highland way. In this collaborative creative project they celebrate their home, their workplace, and the landscape which inspires them every day. The 93mile west highland way is indisputably britain s most spectacular longdistance path. The east highland way website has lots of information and keeps you up to date with any path diversions. The west highland way should only be undertaken in winter by fit walkers with good winter navigation skills. Our miniadventure in scotland begins the west highland way, stretching a distance of 96 miles from milngavie on the outskirts of glasgow to fort william, the gateway to ben nevis great britains highest mountain, is scotlands original and most popular long distance walk, receiving on average upwards of 50,000 visitors per year. Normally the route is completed from south to north, the thinking behind this being the southern stages are easier and will prepare you.
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