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Strike out on to the West Highland way, a 'bucket list' experience in the stunning Scottish Highlands, a walking holiday that guides you through breathtaking scenery, navigating rugged coastlines, mountain landscapes and true Scottish wilderness.
This holiday departs on one Sunday per month throughout the year in 2021.
24 January, 12 February, 7 March, 4 April, 9 May, 27 June, 18 July, 15 August, 19 September, 10 October, 14 November and 5 December.
From Milngavie on the outskirts of Glasgow to Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis, the West Highland Way is 96 miles (154km) of well-maintained footpath winding through varied scenery, which gets progressively wilder as you walk northwards.
This tour is a fully supported (transport, baggage transfer, guiding) sociable, small group experience of the West Highland Way.
The holiday is fully guided by an expert from the local area who is passionate about the landscape, scenery and wildlife of this beautiful route.
There are 7 full days of guided walking and 6 nights half board accommodation on the West Highland Way included in this holiday, we also take care of the baggage transfer along the way so you only need to carry a day pack with personal equipment.
Midday lunches will be taken at pubs and cafes where possible and as packed lunches on the longer, more isolated sections.
This is a walking holiday designed to get you off the beaten track and immersed in truly incredible scenery. The Western Highlands are home to some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world, and by exploring it on foot, you won’t miss a thing.
Complete the West Highland Way - tick this amazing adventure off your bucket list !
Drink in magical scenery as deep pine forests clash with brooding mountains and deep lochs
Enjoy a local whisky tasting after a long days hiking
I am an outdoor ‘nut’ , starting when I was in the Scouts as a kid and loved doing night hikes on Cannock Chase (great for map reading), trips to the Peak District and Wales, and then my interest really took off when I was at UEA Norwich – organising Fell and Cave trips which took students to all the hilly and interesting parts Read More
Milngavie to Drymen – We will depart Edinburgh at 09.00am (Glasgow city centre pick-up 10am) before starting walking the gentle first day through forestry and farmland with a tasting stop at the Glengoyne Distillery before arriving at the village of Drymen.
12m/20km, minimal ascent – 5/6 hours
Accommodation
Hillview B&B Drymen
Drymen to Rowardennan – From Drymen the route takes us through more forestry before the first proper ascent of the week, Conic Hill which has wonderful views of Loch Lomond and then a steep descent to the lochside at Balmaha, from where we follow the shore paths northwards to the hotel at Rowardennan.
14m/22km. 300m/1000ft ascent – 6/7 hours
Accommodation
Hillview B&B Drymen
Rowardennan to Inverarnan – A whole day on the wild eastern shore of Loch Lomond before arriving at the Drover’s Inn, one of Scotland’s most atmospheric inns.
14m/22km, minimal ascent, rough path in parts, 7/8 hours
Accommodation
Drovers Inn
Inverarnan to Tyndrum – Walking mostly on good tracks through Glen Falloch and Strathfillan, we have reached the half way point to Fort William. The surroundings start to open up with views of the mountains but the path is mostly easy to walk on, especially in the afternoon as we walk towards our hotel at Tyndrum.
12 miles/19km, 490m ascent/1250ft ascent, easy trails, 5/6 hours
Accommodation
Tyndrum Lodges
Tyndrum to Kingshouse – We start off with a gentle but sustained ascent from Tyndrum where we get the classic view of Ben Dorain, before descending to the valley floor and easy trail to Bridge of Orchy. We then climb a small wooded hill overlooking Loch Tulla before crossing Rannoch Moor – the wildest part of the whole way. It’s the longest day but the majority is on good trail and old military road.
19 miles/30km, 600m/2000ft ascent/descent, good trails, 8/9 hours
Accommodation
Onich Hotel
Kingshouse to Kinlochleven – The highest point of the Way at nearly 600m/2000ft and known as the Devil’s Staircase by the labourers who built the Blackwater Dam in 1909, this section has a fierce reputation but is in fact a pleasant day’s walking with awesome views of the Glencoe Hills and the Mamores, before descending through woodland to the village of Kinlochleven.
6m/10km, 3100ft/966m ascent, track and paths, 6 hrs
Accommodation
MacDonald Hotel
Kinlochleven to Fort William – Our final days walking starts with a wooded ascent from Kinlochleven, before rejoining more old military road which we follow over to Glen Nevis, hopefully a good view of Ben Nevis and the descent into Fort William, where we finish off with a meal to celebrate before heading back to Edinburgh or Glasgow in the evening.
15m/24km, 300m/1000ft ascent, good trails, 6/7 hours
Jo
Saturday 9th November, 2019
I had a wonderful week walking the West Highland way with Pete as our guide. He was fantastic, relaxed and great company. He is very well informed about the local area and lots of other interesting subjects. The accommodation was clean, warm and very...
I had a wonderful week walking the West Highland way with Pete as our guide. He was fantastic, relaxed and great company. He is very well informed about the local area and lots of other interesting subjects. The accommodation was clean, warm and very comfortable. The food budget generous. The trip was very well organised. I also had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful girls on the trip, which made it even more of a fantastic week. The walking was challenging at times but always worth it. I would highly recommend it!
Read moreMickey
Tuesday 22nd October, 2019
We had a great trip! Saw a lot of Scotland and did some interesting hikes. Traveling by train we were able to see a lot of the countryside. Isle of Skye was beautiful, the Cairngorms were formidable and we had a challenging, breathtaking hike that of...
We had a great trip! Saw a lot of Scotland and did some interesting hikes. Traveling by train we were able to see a lot of the countryside. Isle of Skye was beautiful, the Cairngorms were formidable and we had a challenging, breathtaking hike that offered us some amazing views. Accommodations were quaint and comfortable, food was very good. Gary our guide was experienced and knowledgeable as was Johnnie who was our guide for our last hike in Fort William. I am very happy I did this trip as were my four traveling companions. The group was nine people. We ranged in ages, the youngest 38 and the oldest 76!
Read moreGabrielle R
Thursday 29th August, 2019
I came as a solo female traveler from the United States for the 2 week Big Highland Tour and absolutely fell in love with the Country as well as the hikes. Our tour guide James was knowledgeable, professional, and a pleasure to work with. I felt I wa...
I came as a solo female traveler from the United States for the 2 week Big Highland Tour and absolutely fell in love with the Country as well as the hikes. Our tour guide James was knowledgeable, professional, and a pleasure to work with. I felt I was in great hands with the right company and right team. In fact I loved my experience so much that I continued with a second tour of the West Highland Way with Flo as my guide. Again, she was an outstanding and highly proficient guide and I enjoyed my experience immensely! I will be heading back to Scotland for more hikes with Walkabout Scotland in the very new future and recommended this team and company to anyone wishing to experience the magnificent mountains, nature, and walks of Scotland.
Read morePauline
Wednesday 12th June, 2019
My sister and I chose this destination and we couldn't be more satisfied. Scotland is the most beautiful place I've ever seen in my life. This tour provided accommodation and meals and the most wonderful guide ever. Stuart is the BEST. He was fun, ki...
My sister and I chose this destination and we couldn't be more satisfied. Scotland is the most beautiful place I've ever seen in my life. This tour provided accommodation and meals and the most wonderful guide ever. Stuart is the BEST. He was fun, kind, patient, professional, friendly and even manage to speak in my French native language. He made sure to make us feel safe and made us discover some of the most beautiful spots in Scotland. The Railway tour is one fun way to travel across Scotland. Our accommodation were very clean and comfy. We ended up getting the most cutest cabin on Isle of Skye. I would highly recommend this tour and cross your fingers to get Stuart as your guide, you won't regret it.
Read moreThe trip departs from Edinburgh at 08.30am on the first Sunday of the hiking holiday, with a second pick-up in Glasgow at 10.00, returning to your original pick up points at around 9pm on the final Saturday. The specific pick up locations will be confirmed at the time of booking, but will usually be the train stations in Edinburgh or Glasgow, for ease of transport connections.
