By Charlie Loram and Henry Stedman

INTRODUCTION

West Highland Way

History 8 – How difficult is it? 9

How long do you need? 10 – When to go 12

PART 1: PLANNING YOUR WALK

Practical information for the walker

Route finding 17 – Accommodation 18 – Food and drink 22

Money 24 – Other services 25 – Walking companies 25 – Information for foreign visitors 26 – Walking with dogs 28 – Mountain biking 29

Budgeting 29

Itineraries

Village and town facilities 31 – Which direction? 32

Suggested itineraries 32 – Hillwalking side trips 33

Day and weekend walks 34

What to take

Keep your luggage light 35 – How to carry it 35 – Footwear 36

Clothes 37 – Toiletries 38 – First-aid kit 38 – General items 38

Sleeping bag 39 – Camping gear 39 – Money 39 – Maps 40

Sources of further information 40 – Recommended reading 42

Getting to and from the West Highland Way

National transport 42 – Getting to Britain 43

Public transport map 46 – Local transport 48

PART 2: MINIMUM IMPACT WALKING & OUTDOOR SAFETY

Minimum impact walking

Economic impact 49 – Environmental impact 50 – Access 53

Outdoor safety

Avoidance of hazards 56 – Weather forecasts 56 – Water 57

Blisters 57 – Bites 57 – Hypothermia 59 – Hyperthermia 60

PART 3: THE ENVIRONMENT & NATURE

Conserving Scotland's nature

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) 62 – Campaigning & conservation organisations 63 – Beyond conservation 64

Flora and fauna

Flowers 65 – Trees 67 – Mammals 71 – Reptiles 74

Butterflies 74 Birds 74

PART 4: GLASGOW

City guide

Orientation 78 – Arrival and departure 78 – Getting around and to Milngavie 79 – Services 82 – Festivals & events 83 – Where to

stay 83 – Where to eat and drink 87 – What to see and do 91

Walking from Glasgow to Milngavie 95

PART 5: ROUTE GUIDE AND MAPS

Using this guide 99

Milngavie to Fort William

Milngavie 100

Milngavie to Drymen 103

Drymen to Balmaha 116

Balmaha to Rowardennan 121

Rowardennan to Inversnaid 128

Inversnaid to Inverarnan 134

Inverarnan to Crianlarich 139

Crianlarich to Tyndrum 143

Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy 149

Bridge of Orchy to Kingshouse 155 – Glen Coe 162

Kingshouse to Kinlochleven 170

Kinlochleven to Fort William 174 – Climbing Ben Nevis 180

Fort William 187

APPENDICES

A: Map keys 192

B: Gaelic 193

C: GPS Waypoints 195

D: Taking a dog along the Way 198

E: Distance chart 200

INDEX 203

OVERVIEW MAPS & PROFILES 211