Guided West Highland Way Walking Holiday Dossier


The 95 mile West Highland Way links Milngavie, just outside Glasgow, to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. It passes through some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Britain, from lowland Scotland into the heart of the Highlands.

The following is intended to provide further information about the route. Please note that all distances and heights in this document are approximate and along with all the other information are provided as an aid to describe the route. Several guide books providing more detailed route descriptions and information are available.

Start of route
Milngavie

End of route
Fort William

Direction of walk
South to North

Group size
There will be a maximum of 12 people plus guide on your holiday.

Grade
Generally this is a moderate route though some strenuous walking is encountered e.g. on Rannoch Moor (445m/1460ft), the Devils Staircase (548m/1797ft) and the Lairigmor (330m/1082ft).

Terrain
The terrain varies from lowland moors, woodland, rolling hills, to high mountainous regions in the Scottish Highlands.

Accommodation description
Accommodation is booked in comfortable Guest Houses, Hotels and Inns. All rooms are ensuite.
For the first 3 nights of the holiday we stay at a hotel in Drymen and use this as our base for the first two sections of the route. For nights 4 (Inverarnan) to 8 (Fort William) we stay in different accommodation along the route.
Types and standards of accommodation vary from village to village, and room sizes and facilities vary within accommodation. Some properties are hundreds of years old.

Single travellers
This group holiday is a good way to meet like minded people who share a passion for walking. Almost half our customers are single travellers. It’s a great way of meeting new people and making new friends. There is no single supplement as we will room you in a twin room (with two single beds) with a fellow traveller of the same sex. Single occupancy rooms are not available on this tour.

Guide
Your experienced Guide will provide daily information about the route, and guide the way. Your Guide will provide information about your accommodation and places to eat in the evening, etc. Your Guide is first aid trained.

Luggage transfer
For the duration of the holiday your luggage is transferred from accommodation to accommodation by a luggage transfer agent. Luggage allowance is 1 bag/person weighing not more than 18kg (40lbs).

Personal transfer Personal transfer from accommodation to accommodation is not included in the price of your holiday but if required public transport and taxis are available to transfer you from Village to Village (payable locally) if you would like to take a day off from walking.

Meals
A full Scottish breakfast is included in the cost of your holiday and is served at your accommodation. Packed lunches (average cost £5) are available to buy from your accommodation or local shop, and evening meals (average cost £12) are available from local pubs.

Weather
The weather in Scotland is unpredictable. You should be prepared for all possibilities as weather, particularly in the mountains, can change quickly. Weather statistics are available from the Met Office at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/

Clothing
Good outdoor clothing and waterproofs are essential.

Footwear
Comfortable walking boots which provide good grip on multiple terrain and ankle support are recommended.

Equipment
A suggested equipment list will be sent to you.

Travel
For information on travelling to and from the route please click here



Route description

The following is intended to provide some further information about the route and points of interest. Please note that all distances, timings and heights are approximate and along with all the other information are provided as an aid to describe the route. The time to cover the distance includes time spent walking and time for breaks. If further information is required please contact our office. Several guide books providing detailed route descriptions and information are also available.

Drymen.
Arrive at your accommodation. The hotel in Drymen is our base for the first 3 nights of this holiday. The hotel has a bar, restaurant and leisure club. Set amidst beautiful countryside the village has a few shops, pubs and a bank.
Meet your guide and fellow walkers at the welcome meeting in the evening.

Milngavie (Height above sea level 50m) to Drymen (50m).
Distance 12 miles - Moderate - Height Gain 200m/655ft – 6 hours
After breakfast we transfer to Milngavie, the official start of the West Highland Way is a granite obelisk in Douglas Street, Milngavie. The Way leaves the town centre and enters Mugdock Country Park. On leaving the park the route continues northwards on good paths through rolling farmland. We continue along the route back to our hotel in Drymen.

Drymen (50m) to Rowardennan (20m).
Distance 15 miles – Long moderate - Height Gain 500m/1635ft – 7 hours
We leave the hotel and rejoin the Way. It enters Garadhban Forest and follows a forest track for a few miles. Upon leaving the forest we follow the path as is climbs almost to the summit of Conic Hill (360m), on a clear day there are wonderful views over Loch Lomond. The Way then descends to Balmaha, and passes the National Park Centre. We follow a woodland walk along good paths or tracks as the Way runs close to the eastern shore of Loch Lomond to Rowardennan. We transfer back to the hotel in Drymen.

Rowardennan (20m) to Inverarnan (30m).
Distance 14 miles - Moderate - Height Gain 350m/1145ft – 7 hours
We leave the hotel and transfer back to Rowardennan from where The Way follows mainly forestry tracks through countryside, once inhabitted by Rob Roy, to Inversnaid. The Way then continues along the side of the loch but the going is more difficult and the path for the next few miles is regarded as one of the toughest sections of the Way. Two miles before Inverarnan the going is much easier. The historic Drovers’ Inn at Inverarnan is a great favourite with its range of meals and selection of beers and whiskies. It is well worth a visit, if only to see the collection of stuffed animals and birds. It is also reputed to be haunted by several ghosts. Guests will be safe in their beds in the Lodge over the road while the guide sleeps with his light on in his single room at the Inn.

Inverarnan (30m) to Tyndrum (225m).
Distance 12 miles - Moderate - Height Gain 500m/1635ft – 6 hours
The Way continues along good paths and tracks, much of which is an old military road. This is the gateway to the Highlands and the Way gains height as it leaves the Loch Lomond basin and rises to 250m. From Crianlarich (180m) we continue along good paths and tracks with some moderate descents and ascents to Tyndrum.

Tyndrum (225m) to Kingshouse (250m).
Distance 19 miles – Long moderate/Strenuous - Height Gain 600m/1960ft – 8.5 hours
This is the longest day of the holiday. The Way continues for 7 miles along good paths and tracks following the line of an old military road to the Bridge of Orchy. The route crosses the bridge and climbs a small hillock (310m) with some superb views all-round. There is good going underfoot as you cross Rannoch Moor, one of Britains largest and wildest moors. The path climbs steadily to its high point at 450m before descending to Kingshouse. The scenery is spectacular but you are highly exposed and in bad weather this can be a very tough stage of the Way. Built in the 17th century, Kingshouse is believed to be one of Scotland's oldest licensed inns.

Kingshouse (250m) to Kinlochleven (20m).
Distance 9 miles – Strenuous - Height Gain 350m/1145ft – 5 hours
The Way follows the route of an old military road. 3 miles beyond Kings House the Way climbs steeply up the Devils Staircase. At 550m this is the highest point on the Way. There is now a long descent into Kinlochleven. This again is a hard and exposed stage in bad weather.

Kinlochleven (20m) to Fort William (10m)
Distance 14 miles – Strenuous/Moderate - Height Gain 500m/1635ft – 7 hours
In the first mile the Way zigzags steeply up the hillside to meet an old military road (250m). The highest point on todays route is Lairigmor, the high pass (330m), though there are no more serious gradients as the route continues on good paths with high mountains on both sides. The final stretch is a bit of rough walking through Nevis Forest, with Ben Nevis (1344m) the highest mountain in the British Isles, visible through breaks in the trees. The Way descends into Glen Nevis and follows a road for the final 1.5miles to Nevis Bridge and the end of a wonderful route.

Fort William
Fort William is the largest town in the west Highlands of Scotland. It is surrounded by magnificent scenery and has an important history. There are high mountains, lochs, beautiful glens, forests and beaches in between. This is a huge outdoor playground which caters for a wide range of activities. Fort William is an excellent location to spend an extra day or more. There is a wealth of on land, and on water activities. Many people stay a day longer just to climb Ben Nevis. Please contact us if you require further information.