West Highland Way – A Walk to the Foot of Ben Nevis
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Linking Britain’s largest lake, Loch Lomond, with its highest mountain, Ben Nevis, this tour takes us into the majestic countryside of the Highlands of Scotland following most of Scotland’s famous footpath. Most of the day stages of the route follow the famous droving and military roads that linked the highlands to the lowlands. Many of the hotels along the route were originally old droving inns and have been described in the travel writings of many famous authors including Dr. Johnson and William and Dorothy Wordsworth.
The path threads its way along the eastern shore of Loch Lomond before we come upon the wild ramparts of Ben Lomond which rise from the water to just under 1000 metres. The ‘Way’ then leaves the loch and passes through moor and forest to Crianlarich which is dominated by Ben More, the highest mountain south of Strath Tay and one of the most imposing in the southern highlands.
As we walk along glacial valleys, past the Bridge of Orchy and over to Loch Tulla, surrounded by remnants of the old Caledonian forest, we pass into Rannoch Moor and a welcome stop at the Kings House Inn, Scotland’s oldest and remotest licensed inn. We then leave the moor by the Devil’s Staircase with fantastic views back to the peak of Buachaille Etive Mor, guarding the entrance to Glencoe. The Way then goes down to Kinlochleven at the head of Loch Leven and sea level. Finally we walk the Lairigmor pass and down through forests, into the deep glaciated valley of Glen Nevis at the foot of Ben Nevis, at 1342 metres Scotland’s highest peak.
N.B. To fit into the time available our walk misses the first official day from Milngavie to Drymen, and you are also transferred along a section of the route from Ardlui to Crainlarich. Alternatively you choose to walk this section of the route but you should plan for a 22 mile day.
Inn to Inn 8 days
Duration: 7 nights/8 days
Tour Code: WWH
Grade: Moderate
Day Stages: Min 9.25 miles, max 14 miles
SELF-GUIDED Dates 2009
Any day April – October
(Not during Loch Lomond Golf Tournament 9 – 12 July & PGA 17-20 September).
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ESCORTED Dates 2009
Group Size: Min 4, max 12, plus trek leader
EWWH12 Sun 12 April – Sun 19 April
EWWH27 Sun 27 Sept – Sun 4 October
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Accommodation
7 nights/8 days – The first night is spent in Drymen at a very comfortable guesthouse. Our Loch Lomond hotel is close to the waters edge, offering expansive views towards Ben Lomond. At Ardlui we use a comfortable hotel which is located on the edge of the northernmost shores of Loch Lomand. Our hotel at Loch Tulla is well off the main road and the setting reminds one of its original use as a cattle drover’s inn. There is a small restaurant offering good quality home cooking. Our next hotel is in the wilds of Rannoch Moor near the entrance to Glencoe. The rooms are fairly basic, but the bar is a very cosy place to be as it was in 1745 when it was used after the Battle of Culloden. At Kinlochleven, our guesthouse offers a warm welcome. The West Highland Way finishes near our final guesthouse at Nevis Bridge, just outside Fort William.
Waymarks
This is a well signposted National Trail, relatively easy.
Accommodation and Meals
On a bed and breakfast basis, in comfortable country inns and hotels. Ensuite facilities are generally available for each night’s accommodation, except night 4.
Start and End of Tour
The nearest major city to the start and finish of the trek is Glasgow, which has two international airports, Prestwick (45 mins to Glasgow Central by train) and Glasgow (20 mins to Glasgow by bus). Then take the train to Balloch, then bus to Drymen. From London take the train from London Euston to Glasgow Central (5 1/2 hours). Then train to Balloch, and take the bus or taxi to Drymen.
After breakfast on day 8. Short walk or taxi ride to Fort William station. Train to Glasgow approx. 3 hours 40 mins, then taxi/walk to Glasgow Central Station and, as above, to Prestwick or Glasgow airports. For trains to London there is a direct overnight sleeper service from Fort William to London via Glasgow (not Saturday night).
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Comment by Beth Granter on 9 April 2009:
Hi – for those interested in walking in Scotland you might also want to do a walk for charity. Breast Cancer Care are organising a Ribbon Walk at Scone Palace in Perthshire on 13th June 2009 and they really need more people to sign up.
This new walk takes us through the quiet country lanes and riverside trails around Scone Palace, regarded as the geographical and historic heart of Scotland.
From our start point in front of the Palace, we follow the banks of the River Tay, with views to Perth on the far shore. Heading north we enter the village of Waulkmill where the 10 milers head towards Muirward Woodlands on beautiful open farmland tracks passing Blair Hall.
The 20 milers turn inland, passing small villages on quiet laneways and woodland paths and heard towards the hamlet of St Martins and on to Muirward Woodlands.
At Muirland Woodlands, the 10 and 20 mile routes join together before entering New Scone village. We walk along the river side paths of the Quarrymill Woodland Park before re-entering the Palace grounds to a warm welcome after your fantastic achievement!
Disclaimer – I am working to raise awareness of Breast Cancer Care’s Ribbon Walks.