West Highland Way Experience
The West Highland Way
We have received lots of positive feedback on our West Highland Way guides. People from all over the world coming to walk the long-distance route soak up any advice or tips to help them prepare for their experience.
Soak up the Experience
What an experience it is. A few years ago I worked with the Official West Highland Way team on their celebrations to mark its 40th anniversary, this work was followed up with some other projects. (See details here)
Producing short films for them and creating online content, I met and heard from many people who had amazing stories to tell. Living in Drymen, I get to speak to lots of walkers in the pubs and restaurants.
The West Highland Way Top 10
Let's sum this emotion up with ten great things to enjoy about walking the West Highland Way. You can see that we're dealing with positives here, so no mention of rain, midges or blisters!
Conic Hill, Loch Lomond
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1) The Views
When you start your descent of Conic Hill, looking out across Loch Lomond and its islands, you are looking at one of the best views in Scotland. We know that to be true as VisitScotland always seem to lead with it on their films! There are beautiful waterfalls and the wild expanse of Glencoe, so many views to enjoy. In many ways, a diverse collection of landscapes across the route.
Honesty Shop, Drymen
2) Honesty Shops
Out of nowhere comes a little honesty shop, like the one at Gartness just before Drymen with ice cream or the one with delicious home baking at Rowardennan.
3) Wildlife
Keep on the lookout for an osprey flying around near Balmaha or the deer at Kingshouse. At Inversnaid, you'll be walking through one of the RSPB's two reserves in Loch Lomond.
4) Villages
As a local of Drymen, I like the atmosphere in the village when the walkers are stopping over on their first night. Along the way, places like Balmaha and Kinlochard all offer a warm welcome and valuable facilities.
5) Other Walkers
Once you leave Milngavie, you'll find you're meeting the people just behind or in front regularly along the route. Lots of chat to share, such as 'Where are you stopping overnight?', 'How many days are you doing it over?'. There's a shared experience to enjoy with people who start as strangers. As you will see from the 40th-anniversary website that we developed, many people become lifelong friends or even married as a result of meeting on the West Highland Way.
6) Nature
The diverse landscapes along the way all are beautiful in their unique way. A favourite of mine is the eastern shores of Loch Lomond in spring when the bluebells are out.
7) Weather
Just as the landscapes vary along the 96-mile trail, so does the weather. You're unlikely to experience the same conditions (good or bad) during the five to seven days that you take to walk. The drama of the black skies, the sunshine after the rain all adds to the experience.
Tom Weir Statue, Balmaha
8) Landmarks
There are numerous landmarks or photo-stops, such as Tom Weir Statue, the Village Square in Drymen, the famous tree at Milarrochy Bay and Devil's Staircase. Some of the businesses and communities have added their nod to the West Highland Way.
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9) Travelling Light
The introduction of bag transporting services has revolutionised the West Highland Way. Just carry what you need for the walk during the day, with the peace of mind that your stuff will be waiting for you at the overnight stop.
10) Accomplishment
I spent a few days at Fort William last year talking to people who had completed the West Highland Way. It was inspiring to see the emotion on people’s faces when they crossed the finish line. It was also fascinating to read some incredible stories of people who have walked the West Highland Way for personal reasons.
There's the ten, all good points + a bonus one - that is the pint or G&T that you dream of in the last hour of that day’s walk, the one that you want to be enjoying as soon as you get your boots off after a day spent walking.
If you're planning to walk the West Highland Way, check out our guides, with some top tips from those who have walked it before. Enjoy your walk; you will have a fantastic time.
Thanks for reading
Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.
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