West Highland Way Advice

vicky86_2

Not 100% where this is best to be posted!

Thinking of doing the West Highland Way next year but having a problem trying to find Dog Friendly Accommodation. The route we are interested in:

Milngavie - Drymen - Balmaha - Rowardennan - Inversnaid - Inverarnan - Tyndrum - Inveroran - Kingshouse - Kinlochlevan - Fort William

We are prepared to camp but would prefer Campsites to Wild Camping, B&B's, Guesthouses and Hotels

Anyone any experience doing this with a dog or any Accommodation ideas??

Thanks

:j

Tete_en_l'Air

Hi Vicky,
We stayed in Balloch and did the 9-mile Loch Lomond 'leg' of the WHW over the August Bank Hol - it was lovely!

I don't have a dog and have no experience of any of the places you mention, but I will say that I don't think you should have any trouble finding dog-friendly places - there seemed to be loads when I was researching B&Bs for us.
I found our B&B through this site: http://www.scotland2000.com/accom/ - can't help you with campsites though sorry!

MRSCARNEY

A few to try

http://www.dogfriendlybritain.co.uk/directory.asp?Category=1
http://www.hotels.uk.com/pets/

We have always found Scotland to be pretty dog friendly. If you contact the tourist information they should be able to help you out too. Good luck

eamon

I've done the West Highland Way twice. There is only one way start at Milngavie (pronounced Mulguy) and finish at Fort William. This is a long walk 95 miles and some of it is quite tough.

From memory the longest that I walked in one go was 19 miles from Tyndrum to Kingshouse. Is your dog capable of doing more than that as he/she will will probably cover double that? Also you will be walking through farming country so keep the dog an a lead.

I'm sure I seen people with their dogs and both were having a great time.

You need to research if any B&Bs etc will accept pets in case you don't fancy camping. Lastly the best months are May & September, less midges and probably the best chance of decent weather as well.

Enjoy the walk, Fort William will never seem so good ever again!

yours

Eamon

Glad

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lynnexxxo

At Bridge of Orchy, Inveronan and Kings house camping is allowed next to the hotel, its free and they don't mind you nipping in to the loo (do buy a drink or so though, don't take the p*ss). Bridge of Orchy also has a bunkhouse (i'd phone to confirm about dogs, not sure).

There arevarious companies the that will transport your rucksac for you to the next point and you only need to carry a day sac. A friend of mine used this company - http://www.travel-lite-uk.com/index.htm

£33 for up to 8 stops. They will probably be able to help you with dog friendy accomodation.

Good luck, don't forget midge repellent!

competitionscafe

'By the Way' campsite in Tyndrum is nice - not sure about dogs, but you can phone and ask. Try the Real Food Cafe in Tydrum for something to eat - great burgers and they sell beer too. Have camped outside the Kingshouse a few times (free) - great spot, no showers though obviously and just the pub loos.

campsielady

Hi, my husband just walked the West Highland Way again last week-95 miles from Milngavie to Fort William! He said to say that it's OK to take a dog if yours is used to hiking! (he met a couple with a young puppy which was literally dog tired)!!!

My husband used a rucksack carrying company too, so he only had to carry a day sac, he used www.amsscotland.co.uk, because they took his rucksack to all of his B&Bs, including Inversnaid, which the above mentioned travel-lite don't do. Apparently he was very impressed with the company-who helped out with a transport problem too-AMS also do a return mini bus service from Fort William, (which accept dogs!!)
Maybe you could ask them about dog friendly acommodation-they were very helpful people!
I read in the leaflet that dogs aren't allowed on some parts of the Way during lambing time-there's a diversion (he'd considered taking our pooch).
We live quite near to the start in Milngavie-I know there is a West Highland Way website, can't remember the address right now.PM me if you would like any more info.

Doomcow

i walked it a few years ago - was excellent!

although i'd suggest staying in bunkhosues/hostels instead of camping - its easier and just as cheap.

as for your route - i'd discount stopping at drymen for longer than a few hours - yodu eb as well as pushing on to balmaha on the first night / inversnaid on the 2nd.

sorry cant help with the accomodation + dogs. (inversnaid bunkhouse rocks!!!!)

competitionscafe

Doomcow wrote: »

(inversnaid bunkhouse rocks!!!!)

Sadly now closed:
http://www.inversnaid.com/

campsielady

Happily Inversnaid bunkhouse is open again!