The Central Highlands - The Rough Guide to Scottish Highlands and Islands - page 130

THE WEST HIGHLAND WAY
Ordnance Survey Explorer maps 392, 384, 377, 364, 385, 342, 347 & 348
Opened in 1980, the spectacular West Highland Way was Scotland's first long-distance footpath,
stretching some 96 miles from Milngavie (pronounced “mill-guy”), six miles north of central
Glasgow, to Fort William, where it reaches the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. Today,
it is by far the most popular such footpath in Scotland, and while for many the range of scenery,
relative ease of walking and nearby facilities make it a classic route, others find it a little too busy in
high season, particularly in comparison with the isolation of many other parts of the Highlands.
THE ROUTE
The route follows a combination of ancient drove roads , along which Highlanders herded
their cattle and sheep to market in the Lowlands, military roads, built by troops to control the
Jacobite insurgency in the eighteenth century, old coaching roads and disused railway lines.
In addition to the stunning scenery, which is increasingly dramatic as the path heads north,
walkers may see some of Scotland's rarer wildlife , including red deer, feral goats and, soaring
over the highest peaks, golden eagles.
Passing through the lowlands north of Glasgow, the route runs along the eastern shores of
Loch Lomond, over the Highland Boundary Fault Line, then round Crianlarich, crossing open
heather moorland across the Rannoch Moor wilderness area. It passes close to Glen Coe
(see p.193) before reaching Fort William (see p.184). Apart from a stretch between Loch
Lomond and Bridge of Orchy, when the path is within earshot of the main road, this is wild,
remote country: north of Rowardennan on Loch Lomond, the landscape is increasingly
exposed, and you should be well prepared for changeable weather.
TACKLING THE ROUTE
Though this is emphatically not the most strenuous of Britain's long-distance walks - it passes
between lofty mountain peaks, rather than over them - a moderate degree of fitness is
required as there are some steep ascents. If you're looking for an added challenge, you could
work a climb of Ben Lomond or Ben Nevis into your schedule. You might choose to walk
individual sections of the Way (the eight-mile climb from Glen Coe up the Devil's Staircase is
particularly spectacular), but to tackle the whole thing you need to set aside at least seven
days; avoid a Saturday start from Milngavie and you'll be less likely to be walking with hordes
of people, and there'll be less pressure on accommodation. Most walkers tackle the route from
south to north, and manage between ten and fourteen miles a day, staying at hotels, B&Bs and
bunkhouses en route. Camping is permitted at recognized sites.
INFORMATION
The West Highland Way O cial Guide (£16.99).
Includes a foldout map as well as descriptions of the
route, with detailed cultural, historical, archeological
and wildlife information.
The o cial website W west-highland-way.co.uk.

2

Further details about the Way, including a compre-
hensive accommodation list. The site also has links to
tour companies and transport providers, who can take
your luggage from one stopping point to the next.

Rowardennan
Public transport ends at Balmaha, but another seven miles north through the woods
brings you to the end of the road at ROWARDENNAN , a scattered settlement that sits
below Ben Lomond (see below).

Ben Lomond
Ben Lomond (3192ft) is the most southerly of the “Munros” (see p.40) and one of the
most popular mountains in Scotland, its commanding position above Loch Lomond
affording amazing views of both the Highlands and Lowlands. The well-signposted
route to the summit and back from Rowardennan takes five to six hours.

Inversnaid
Only walkers can continue up the lochside beyond Rowardennan, where the only
settlement is seven miles north at INVERSNAID , made famous by a poem of the same