West Highland Way Fun

At the finish in Fort William

Most people would relax after competing in a triathlon.  Not us!  We embarked on a 96 mile trek of the West Highland Way the following day.  Catriona, Alix, Jennifer, Kerry and myself had drunkenly talked about this a few months ago after the Gigha Challenge and here we were, leaving Campbeltown at 7am bleary eyed and sore after our efforts racing the day before to tackle the Way in an ambitious 4 1/2 days. 

DAY 1 - Milngavie to Drymen (13 miles approx)

1st run done!

We eased ourselves in with a small section of the way and it was a great start!  Jen and I decided to run this section as it was to be one of the easiest, wide flat paths through Mugdock Park out of the city into the beautiful countryside.  It was a roasting hot afternoon and the other girls decided to walk it and they had just as an enjoyable time stopping for ice lollies and picking fresh raspberries. We arrived in Drymen mid-afternoon so we enjoyed a lovely cool shower followed by some sun-bathing and book reading.  This was the life!

Accommodation - Kip in the Kirk:  5*, my favourite of the week - afternoon tea on arrival, spotlessly clean, fab continental breakfast

Food - Drymen Inn:  Decent food, ice cold crabbies ginger beer and good service but disappointing sticky toffee pudding

DAY 2 - Drymen to Inversnaid (22 miles but was 24 to get to accommodation!)

We set off about 8am and I trailed behind the girls in the beginning as they powered on at great speed but I soon got in the rhythm.  We took in the most amazing sights over lochs and hills, stopping for a photo or two especially at the top of Conic Hill where you got the most fantastic view out over Loch Lomond.  The pathways were really clear and we stopped off in Balmaha after 8 miles for a cappuccino.  This was to become a bit of a morning routine for us after the first section and it felt like we were abroad as we sat in the sunshine with a lovely coffee and great company.  We never stopped for long though as it was to be a long day, stopping at a beach near Rowardennan for a spot of lunch.  

Catriona, Jen and I ran the last section to Inversnaid along forestry paths - lots of undulating sections, some where we had to slow to scramble over rocks parallel to the coastline but nothing too difficult.  However, after 7 miles we ran out of water and the sun continued to beat down on us - where was Inversnaid?!  Another mile later we were ecstatic to see Inversnaid Hotel but gutted to find out our accommodation was another mile away - on top of a big hill.  Undefeated we walked to the top and demolished a few bottles of mineral water within minutes.  Best bit of the day was cooling down going for a wee swim in Loch Lomond followed by some bubbles of a hot tub to ease our tired muscles :-)

Accommodation - Inversnaid Bunkhouse:  3*, very small rooms, hot in the heat but adequate and friendly staff

Food - Inversnaid Bunkhouse Bistro:  Excellent food at dinner - one of my favourite pesto pasta dishes ever.  No early breakfast but they did allow us to have some toast and bananas before we left

DAY 3 - Inversnaid to Tyndrum (19 miles)

The first 7 miles to Inverarnan was the most difficult section so far due to the terrain.  It was hard to get a pace going as we were climbing up and over trees, rocks and bridge ladders but we were under the shade of trees all morning which was a welcome rest from the sun.  A caffeine coffee boost at Bein Glass Farm made the next 6 miles to Crianlarich go by in a flash, this time the pathways were open, wide and undulating.  A few of us ran the last 6 miles and was my most enjoyable section - it was a forestry track resembling Bengullion and Ballochgair through small rivers and gorges, with lots of up and downs - lots of fun and stunning scenery, taking us to our resting place of Tyndrum with plenty of time for ice lollies and sunbathing before dinner.

Accommodation - Tyndrum By the Way:  4*, great SC accommodation, powerful showers and comfy bunks

Food - Tyndrum Inn:  Surroundings nice but service very slow, good food though

DAY 4 - Tyndrum to Kingshouse (19 miles)

Our morning walk to Bridge of Orchy (stopping for a coffee of course) was reasonably straightforward on mostly an old military road and through forest pathways.  The next 2 miles to Inveroran were a little more difficult as took us up a large hill where we got spectacular 360 views across the land. After letting our lunch settle, Jen and I ran through the Rannoch Moor section down through Glencoe to Kingshouse only stopping to walk up some of the steeper inclines.  Lots of walkers on this exposed section and our hotel's beer garden was packed with people and deer!

Accommodation - Kingshouse Hotel:  3*, comfortable accommodation but very tired and dated inside.  

Food - Kingshouse Hotel:  Best food yet and great service! 

DAY 5 - Kingshouse to Fort William (25 miles)

We met and overtook a lot of people on this section and most were surprised that we were going past Kinlochleven all the way to Fort William in 1 day so we were a little apprehensive but we shouldn't have been - we did it!  Probably our toughest and our longest day, we set off at 8am with the biggest incline to come - the devil's staircase.  It zig zagged for a few miles before levelling off to reveal wonderful scenic views back across Glencoe and beyond.  A quick stop off at Kinlochleven after 9 miles and we started our ascent once again.  After 12 miles Cat, Jen and I started running.  It was a good path, a few undulating sections but reasonably flat although it was quite stoney and uneven surface.  It was only until we reached about 19 miles the descent into Fort William began and Ben Nevis towered over us.  The thought of the end excited us a bit much as we started doing 7 minute miles but we soon slowed down as we got to sea level and made our way up the main street to the official end.  We did it!!  

Food - Cafe Mango:  Satisfied our thai food craving for our celebratory meal of chicken stir fry with noodles

I'm glad I had:

• a camelbak - best invention ever! 
• suncream
• vaseline 
• phone/camera
• shorts and vests 
• used Travel Lite - a company who transported our bags to our accommodation each day, lifesaver!
• the other 4 girls - great banter and positivity every step of the way

I overpacked and had no need for:

•  midgie net and skin so soft
• waterproofs
• jacket
• second pair of trainers
• long joggers

However, any other time in Scotland I think that second list would've came in handy!

We just loved every minute of our West Highland Way adventure and couldn't recommend it enough.  I'm sure it will serve me well in my China trek training.  It was such an elating feeling getting to the end each day particularly at the very end, an accomplishment we are all proud of.  Anyone could walk it if they put their mind to it and I'm sure they would love it just as much as us, for the achievement and the simply stunning Scottish scenery.  We may even do it again in the future, a reunion tour when we are 60 perhaps?!