The West Highland Way, which was officially opened in 1980, is the first official long-distance designated walking trail in Scotland and has retained its popularity among walkers ever since.
The West Highland Way is paved with interesting stories as you walk along part of this historic route from Milngavie to Fort William, a total distance of 153 kilometres/95 miles.
This self-guided 6 day walking trail takes you from the outskirts of Scotland’s largest city (Glasgow) and through the Scottish Highlands to Tyndrum along old drover roads on which highlanders herded their cattle and sheep to market in the lowlands. The trail continues on military roads that were constructed by troops to help control the Jacobite Clans and old coach roads and disused railway roads from more modern times.
The West Highland Way is indeed a journey through some of the best scenery that Scotland has to offer.
Prices / Dates
Price: £719 per person sharing
Single Supplement: +£300
Tour Dates: 1 April to 14th October
Tour Grade: Easy to Moderate
Accommodation: Guesthouse, Hotel & B&B
Included / Excluded
- 5 nights bed & breakfast
- All accommodation is pre-booked in approved and carefully selected guesthouses with all rooms en-suite.
- West Highland Way Maps and Rucksack Reader Guide Book.
- Details on restaurants and places of interest to visit along the way.
- Luggage transfers daily while you walk with a small day pack.
- All information on trains or buses needed to get to your first accommodation in Milngavie and back at the end of the tour from Tyndrum.
- 24-7 Emergency Telephone support
- Public transport to the beginning of the tour and back at the end
- Packed Lunches
- Evening Meals
- Drinks and Snacks
- Personal Equipment
You have the option to arrive at Glasgow's main airport or Prestwick airport, which is only a short train ride outside of Glasgow. From there you will catch a train to Milngavie where your walking tour of Scotland begins. We will supply you with all your travel detail to get to your accommodation.
Today's walk is a perfect introduction to the West Highland Way and the lowlands of the Scottish countryside. The trail follows a series of old railway lines, country tracks and lanes, offering you some superb scenery and your first glimpse of the Scottish Mountains. If you are lucky, you may get your first glimpse of some Roe Deer and birds of prey like the Kestrel and Red Kite. Depending on what time of the year, this section also displays an abundance of seasonal wildflowers.
Distance: 19.5 km / 12 miles, Ascent: 200 m / 600 ft, Approximate walking time: 5 / 6 hours
Today’s walk is broken down into two parts, the first taking you through Garadhban Forest and across the side of Conic Hill, which overlooks the small village of Balmaha (a perfect place for a liquid lunch!) and your first glimpse of Scotland’s largest freshwater lake, “Loch Lomond”.
From Balmaha, the trail takes you along by the shores of Loch Lomond and into Ben Lomond National Memorial Park.
Distance: 22.5 km / 14 miles, Ascent: 345 m / 1035 ft, Approximate walking time: 6 / 7 hours
Almost all of today’s walk takes you along the eastern shores of Loch Lomond as it traverses through a mixture of woodlands, under the steep slopes of Ben Lomond. This is probably one of the toughest days of the whole walking trail, but you will be truly rewarded with spectacular and stunning scenery across the lake and into the high distant mountains.
If luck is on your side today, you may get a glimpse of the magnificent golden eagle. Since the early 20th century, golden eagle numbers in Scotland have recovered. Having reached a low point of perhaps as few as 150 pairs, there are now over 420 pairs and the population is stable.
Distance: 22.5 km / 14 miles, Ascent: 222 m / 666 ft, Approximate walking time: 6 / 7 hours
Your last day of walking on the West Highland Way takes you along by Loch Lomond on a relatively easy section of the trail that takes you north-west along by the base of Ben Glas Mountain, through Glen Folloch and onto Strath Fillan. You will cross and re-crosses the river Folloch today, which is the main East-West natural divide of the Scottish Highlands.
As you pass the village of Crianlarich, it is half-way on your day's walk but more importantly, it is halfway to Fort William! Before you get to your destination you will pass what remains of the ruins of St. Fillan’s Priory.
Distance: 20.5 km / 12 miles, Ascent: 200 m / 600 ft, Approximate walking time: 6 / 7 hours
“All travellers who use this wild and beautiful place will do so in peace if they tread their path lightly.” (An inscription from a plaque as you approach the remains on the priory)
After a hearty Scottish breakfast, you can take the train back to Glasgow for your homeward journey.
