Kinlochleven to Fort William (24.4km) That was our last night camping, today’s section would take us to Fort William – the end of the West Highland Way. I took this photo of our cosy nest when we were packing up. We’d be sad to leave the trail but we still had a day’s walking ahead….
Climbing up the Devil’s Staircase – West Highland Way, Day 7
Glencoe Mountain Resort to Kinlochleven (16.8km) We awoke from a great night’s sleep in our hobbit hut, to see a rainbow arching over Buachaille Etive Mòr. It seemed like a good omen! It immediately started raining heavily again, but the rainbow hung on for a while in its faded glory. The weather was forecast to…
Sheltering from the rain in a hobbit hut – West Highland Way, Day 6
Rest day at Glencoe Mountain Resort The storm hit during the night with high winds and heavy rain, but we were so tired we slept through most of it. We awoke to find everyone panicking to pack up because the campsite had flooded except the wee bit of ground our tent was on. The next…
The magical light of the setting sun – West Highland Way, Day 5 (Part 2)
Inveroran – Glencoe Mountain Resort (13.5km) We filled up our flasks at the drinking water tap outside the Inveroran Hotel, poked our heads into the walkers’ bar which looked very cosy and inviting – next time! And set off on our way. A short distance up the road from the hotel we saw some of…
Some good advice from a wise deer – West Highland Way, Day 5 (Part 1)
Tyndrum to Inveroran (14km) We were following the classic 8 day itinerary, so had planned to walk to Inveroran and camp there. But the friendly owner, Mike at By The Way campsite suggested to go all the way to Glencoe Mountain Resort if we could. The forecast for the next day was atrocious – heavy…
Sheep creeps, gold, and a lost sword – West Highland Way, Day 4
Inverarnan to Tyndrum (19.2km) We woke up after a great night’s sleep at Beinglas Farm. We’ve stayed there a few times before, and it’s a lovely campsite with brilliant facilities. They have a big covered campers’ kitchen, laundry, hot showers, a well-stocked shop,and a pub/restaurant that does breakfast, evening meals, and packed lunches.* When we…
Long live the weeds and the wilderness yet – West Highland Way, Day 3
Rowardennan to Inverarnan (21.6km) It wasn’t until we woke up in the morning that we realised what a stunning location we’d camped in! It started raining heavily again and the hostel does a ‘continental breakfast’ – which turned out to be an amazing array of croissants, breads, fruit, yoghurt, juice, tea, coffee, etc so it…
A lucky escape from the bears of Balmaha – West Highland Way, Day 2
Drymen to Rowardennan (26km) We took our tent down from its pitch amongst the hobbit huts at Drymen Camping, and were the last people to set off (start of a theme haha) leaving the campsite after 10am, so we had the path pretty much to ourselves. After a short section along the Old Military Road,…
Heading into Middle Earth – West Highland Way, Day 1
Milngavie Station to Drymen (17.8 km) We got off the train in Milngavie in the early afternoon, filled with excitement – and a bit of nerves, and immediately saw signs to the start of the route. Once we reached the official starting point there was a big sign to mark it, and even though they…
In search of Gram Parsons at the Joshua Tree Inn
I love Gram Parsons’ music, so when we visited Joshua Tree I wanted to stay at the Joshua Tree Inn. It was Gram’s favourite place to stay, and he died there in Room 8, aged 26 in 1973. We didn’t stay in Room 8 (it was booked up and I think I was a bit…