West Highland Way

Introduction

The West Highland Way Trail in Scotland is a stunning 96-mile or 155 km journey through some of the country’s most breathtaking landscapes. Beginning in Milngavie, just outside of Glasgow, and ending in the picturesque Fort William, the trail takes you through lush forests, serene lochs, and majestic mountains. Whether you’re an avid hiker or a leisurely walker, this trail offers something for everyone. With charming villages, historic sites, and diverse wildlife along the way, the West Highland Way promises an unforgettable adventure that showcases the natural beauty and rich heritage of Scotland. Get ready for a trip of a lifetime!

Table Of Contents

Introduction
Practical Information
Highlights
Tips and Tricks
Food
Watch the video
Curious to discover more?

Practical Information

Arrival / Departure

Glasgow boasts an international airport and multiple train stations, ensuring convenient access for travelers. To reach the starting point of the West Highland Way in Milngavie, depart from Queen Street station; the journey takes about 20 minutes.

From the Milngavie train station, it’s less than a 10-minute walk to the trail’s start in the town center. If you plan to visit Fort William and then backtrack, be aware that the train takes nearly 4 hours. Alternatively, a bus may offer a faster and more efficient option.

Getting around

I found the bus service to be very reliable, and Google Maps provided accurate schedules. I used the Citylink service between Tyndrum and Crianlarich, as well as the local McColls bus between Drymen and Balmaha.

During summer, it’s advisable to book the Citylink in advance to avoid the risk of it being full. The train is less direct, less frequent, and some areas aren’t served by train at all. While hitchhiking is a possible option, with many car parks near viewpoints and attractions where you can ask around, I personally found the bus to be the most efficient and convenient mode of transport.

Highlights

Breathtaking Views from Conic Hill: The panoramic scenery over Loch Lomond was absolutely stunning. The strong winds made me grateful for my jacket and hat.

Dinner at Clachan Bar in Drymen: Despite the bustling crowd and a long wait, the hearty and tasty meal beautifully complemented the beer.

Scenic Stretch from Inveroran to Fort William: This part of the route offered the best scenery of the entire trip. Those two days were truly the highlight, making the journey worthwhile.

Rail Journey from Fort William to Glasgow: Unfortunately, the scratched and dirty windows on the train obscured the views, which was disappointing.

Tiny House

Conic Hill

Conic Hill Summit

Conic Hill View

Break anyone?

Good Morning

Load More Images

Tips and Tricks

If accommodation is scarce, consider using a bus or taxi to reach the start or end of your stage. When I couldn’t find lodging in Inveroran or Bridge of Orchy, I took a bus to Tyndrum and booked a taxi the next morning, as the first bus was only at 8:30 AM, and I wanted to be back on the trail by 7:30 AM. Similarly, in Balmaha, I found lodgings in Drymen and took the first bus to continue my hike.

Bear in mind that local taxis might be occupied with school runs or other services on weekdays, so you may not get a lift until later in the morning. Always call ahead to arrange transport.

Fort William is a bustling place. If you have a specific restaurant in mind for dinner, make a reservation in advance. When I visited at the end of September, all B&Bs and hotels displayed “No Vacancy” signs. For energy bars, stock up in Tyndrum; after that, the shops only seemed to have chocolate bars.

If you cannot walk much, you can park right at the bottom of Conic Hill in Balmaha, still a climb but easy terrain. You can do the same for other places along the route. There are many car parking options for a short 45 to 60 minute out and balk walk.

I had amazing weather on day 1, so decided to drop the bag in Drymen and keep walking up Conic Hill. You can add it to the end, and do it without pack, or do it in the morning, with the pack, giving you two chances of a clear view.

Food

A chap in the pub in Drymen told me, “This is the end of civilization until Fort William.” It wasn’t quite that bad. I had a decent takeaway Chinese in Milngavie, though M&S would be cheaper. Greggs opens early if you need breakfast before starting your hike.

In Drymen, dinner at the Clachan Bar was excellent. The place gets packed, so book ahead, especially if you’re two or more. I also liked Drymen Bakery, just opposite. Good soup and coffee. The next good selection of restaurants wasn’t until Fort William. However, The Bunkhouse in Inversnaid served a very good curry.

Crianlarich was quite forgettable for food, while Tyndrum has a popular fish and chip place called The Real Food Café. No bookings, very busy. Glen Coe Café serves breakfast until noon but no lunch until 12:30 PM, so I continued to Kingshouse, where the luxury hotel’s Walkers Bar had a very tasty pie at a reasonable price.

Kinlochleven only had one pub that looked good, and it was full. The Chinese restaurant was closed, and the other pub looked so bad that I preferred a microwave lasagna from a petrol station. The Co-op has some meals, but for breakfast, there was only takeaway.

Table Of Contents