The West Highland Way

[geordie1970]

Hi has anyone had a go at this.I am planning to do it in early May and would like to here what I am in for

[ron1863]

My partner and I walked it a few years ago. The start is in Milngavie, (pronounced Millguy) just outside Glasgow and ends at Fort William.
A lot depends on when you are going. I would advise early or late summer - May or September as the dreaded midges are usually dormant and the weather is fairly good. It will take you from 4 - 7 days, we did it in 5 but were not in a hurry.
You can either camp or stay in B & Bs or Hotels, we did all of these. If you have a heavy backpack and lots of equipment there is a service available where a van will take your equipment to your next resting point, it was a fiver a stage when we walked it and well worth the money. We didn't use the service until we were at the top of Loch Lomond but it was a godsend getting rid of the weight and being free to walk unladen. The following link has all information including the bag carrying service.

Good Luck

The West Highland Way, Milngavie, Fort William, Walking in Scotland

[bounce]

Hi I did the whw last may on a mountain bike. What a fantastic couple of days use the link from above and you ll have all the info you need on where to stay to start and tips, make sure you pack waterproofs and warm clothes ,I woke up on rannoch moor (free/wild camping behind kings house) to a couple of inches of snow at the end of may and had sleet, hail, wind the lot for my last day and then had to pitch my tent in what can only be described as a power shower in fort bill. I carried all my own gear as it gave me flexibility in where to stay. the campsite in milngivne will let you leave the car there for £2 a day and the train from fort bill with change to milngivne was £24 (cheaper if booked in advance). The later you are on the trail the more wildlife you ll see, a food break at the end of loch lomomd on 1st day about 8.pm with 20 Red Deer just grazing around me was cool as.
Enjoy

[geordie1970]

Thanks for the advice I've holidayed in Glen Nevis for the last ten years and seen many a hiker clamber for the finish line.I am not the fittest person in the world and like a fag & a pint every now and then but a pal did it a few years ago and was up for doing it again so he has bet me I can't do it in 5 days. I have been clocking up about 8-10 miles a day five days a week with the dog to build up a bit of stamina and realise I will have to up that a good bit but I have the gear just hope a 65 litre pack is enough and will be staying at b & b's and the Wig-wam place near Tyndrum has been mentioned so shouldn't have to carry too much.Any how a trip to the pub at the weekend to arrange the details is on the cards and I will post my route hopefully.

[ron1863]

Originally Posted by geordie1970

I am not the fittest person in the world and like a fag & a pint every now and then but a pal did it a few years ago and was up for doing it again so he has bet me I can't do it in 5 days.

I did it when I was 51 and did my first leg from Milngavie to Rowardennan on the first day without any problem. You should do it in 5 days easily if you do around 20 miles a day. Sounds a lot but not when you are walking several hours a day. Looking forward to reading how you get on.

[Ian Gray]

The WHW is such a spectacular walk you can't fail to enjoy it.
One thing that can't be missed though is a night in the Drovers Inn
at Inveranan. Also, you must take a stroll up Ben Nevis at the end
to truly complete the walk


Ian

[ron1863]

Originally Posted by Ian Gray

The WHW is such a spectacular walk you can't fail to enjoy it.
One thing that can't be missed though is a night in the Drovers Inn
at Inveranan. Also, you must take a stroll up Ben Nevis at the end
to truly complete the walk


Ian

If you spend the night at the drovers don't expect an early start the next day

[geordie1970]

I was in Glen Nevis for Christmas and it was pouring all the way back down in the car.I was thinking oh my god the next time I come up here it will be on foot. I hope it's a bit drier come April/May as for walking up Ben Nevis at the end

[Highland Damsel]

Havn't done the whw but have done the Great Glen Way from Fort Will to Inverness. Chose the wrong socks had blisters by mile five carried 18-20 kilos and didn't train properly (was a classroom bound student). We did 22 miles on the first day five on the second and eighteen on the last. Painfull. The best of it was though that we just moved the day we had breakfast at 11 or 12 lunch at tea time and dinner at 8 or 9 when we camped, loved the freedom of carrying our own kit and breaking with conventional routine. Advice: 65 liters is big enough, get a small light tent don't skimp on the sleeping bag, it's your best friend, wild camping is now legal and sooo good (if you get the good weather) and April/May is great Ron1863 is right, avoid midgie season. Enjoy.

[seamusagleann]

done some of it over the years,as day walks though, so, i don't really know about accommodation but there are several good places to wild camp, and there are hostels too. i've done the devils staircase one or two times but the most spectacular section,i thought was from bridge of orchy to kingshouse, a really strong feeling of being alone!....but not for long in the midgie season. worst place ever is at the small campsite round the corner from inveroran hotel ,but on the whole i enjoyed it ,the scenery is fantastic.there used to be a company called ptarmigan ,who transported people back and forward every day to the whw ,and took them to the hostel in glen coe at night ,but i've not seen them in a while so i don't know if they are still going ,but a good idea none the less!

[geordie1970]

Not planning on camping as I do not want to carry the extra weight as I will be taking the camera and tripod. I hope I have enough energy left at the end to have a "wee drink" and a pleasant train ride back to Glasgow.

[Ian Gray]

Originally Posted by seamusagleann

done some of it over the years,as day walks though, so, i don't really know about accommodation but there are several good places to wild camp, and there are hostels too. i've done the devils staircase one or two times but the most spectacular section,i thought was from bridge of orchy to kingshouse, a really strong feeling of being alone!....but not for long in the midgie season. worst place ever is at the small campsite round the corner from inveroran hotel ,but on the whole i enjoyed it ,the scenery is fantastic.there used to be a company called ptarmigan ,who transported people back and forward every day to the whw ,and took them to the hostel in glen coe at night ,but i've not seen them in a while so i don't know if they are still going ,but a good idea none the less!

I agree, the section between bridge of orchy and kinghouse is a part
I always look forward to. It's normally accompanied by horizontal rain,
but the first glimpse of Buachaille Etive Mor breaking out through the
gloom always makes my heart skip a beat.
PS Like the new avatar seamus. Hail, Hail.

[Nick T]

I did it about 6 years ago What a walk!! We went up by train and used loacl taxi's or public transport to ferry us back to where we were staying. started on the Saturday and finished the following Saturday there were 3 of us and we took our time, didn't kill ourselves with the milage and thouroughly enjoyed it. We've been going to do it every year sisnce but unfortunately various things have stopped us.

As to the Midges - I've yet to find a deterrent but lots of 80/- helps to numb the pain

[geordie1970]

My pals has pulled out which I was a bit miffed about but we have decided to go camping on the Outer Hebrides in the summer instead just hope to get some good weather.