West Highland Way

in Scotland
1 reply 1.1K views
RockmanRockman Forumite
620 Posts
Hi

I am thinking of doing the West Highland Way in Scotland in May/June this year and was wondering if anyone had done this trek before and if so what is the cheapest way to do it.

I will be travelling from N Ireland and would like to try and arrange and book it myself rather than go on an organised trip or through a charity.

Any help much appreciated.
Val :)

Replies

  • GromitFanGromitFan Forumite
    316 Posts
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts
    I did it many years ago in the month of May. Think we did it over about 6 1/2 days, so very easy, relaxed walking.
    We got the train from Glasgow Queen Street to Milngavie to start and then back from Fort William to Glasgow Queen Street when we'd finished.
    We were camping, and so didn't book anything in advance. By far would be the cheapest way to do it, but don't know if you have a tent or what type of accommodation you were thinking of.
    Pretty sure that you weren't supposed to just wild-camp anywhere, but instead there were some specified wild-camp spots along the route which were free to camp at, though obviously no facilities and some nights we stayed at campsites.
    Even back when we did it there was also a van that was carrying people's main kit along the route for them. We carried full backpacks and never looked into this option, so no idea how much that service cost.
    Otherwise, guess you have the possibility of hostels/B&Bs/hotels along the route.
    We had this map when we did it:
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/West-Highland-Way-Walkers-Route/dp/1851372237/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&qid=1394571242&sr=8-24&keywords=west+highland+way
    But think that may have been replaced by this one:
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/West-Highland-Way-XT40-Route/dp/1851374582/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394571309&sr=8-1&keywords=west+highland+way+harvey

    Was lovely weather when we did it, but sadly my camera broke when we were walking it, which meant all the photos I took had about a diagonal third of them completely black. Real pity as I very much doubt we'd ever get that weather if we attempted it again. Fingers crossed it's nice for you.

    Sorry that I don't feel I've been that much help, but please just ask anything specific you want and I'll see if I can answer. (either in this thread or you can PM me)

    HTH.
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