West Highland Way | 6 Days Backpacking and Camping in Scotland
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- čas přidán 10. 09. 2024
- #westhighlandway #whw #backpacking
The West Highland Way is a 96 mile route which runs from Milngavie to Fort William, along the west coast of Scotland.
Backpacking is the most traditional, and probably best, way to experience this route which takes in a real snapshot of what Scotland has to offer.
This is my journey along the first two days from Milngavie to Lochan Maoil Dhuinne campsite on the banks of Loch Lomond.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs operates on a camping management zone in some areas along the way.
You can check availability and book sites along the way at the following link;
⛺www.lochlomond...
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🌐 My Route:
1️⃣ - Milngavie - Garadbhan Forest
www.outdooract...
2️⃣ - Garadbhan Forest - Lochan Maoil Dhuinne
www.outdooract...
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☕️ Support My Channel at:
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✅ DISCLAIMER(S)
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This video does not contain any paid promotion and any views are my own regarding the products I use.
Please take all necessary precautions to remain safe when enjoying the outdoors.
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I did it last year with my brother and my nieces husband. My brother had to drop out at the top of Loch Lomond due to blisters and a shoulder injury. There's no point pushing on in constant pain, you won't enjoy it. But what I would advise is prepare for it properly.
Hey Richard, thanks for watching and sharing your experience with everyone. As we and you have found, it certainly isn't just a turn up and walk show if you're carrying your kit and injuries can develop any time. I dare say there's not many people are used to walking 18-20 miles a day in their normal life so being prepared for the physical and mental journey helps your chances a lot!
There is absolutely no point in trying to push on through an injury and we all know when enough is enough.
On the plus side, joining family to tackle it again when they've recovered is another reason to get on the trail again. Just hope you get the same weather.
Ooofft they must have been sharp closing those doors nothing worse than look forward to a snack and when you get there its shut. Finding that Brownie was obviously someone making it up to you. That weather is amazing and when you get a chance where you can use the bug net of the tent only, it needs to be taken in Scotland these chances don’t happen often. That was not sounding good for Chris he made the right decision though and like you said you guys can go back and do it together another time. cant wait to see the rest of this trip, well done Brian.
Yeah, they we're sharp out that door. On reflection I think I stopped to let the wee woman drive away past as I was walking towards the doors about two minutes to four 😂
The brownie was a find but being cautious we didn't actually eat it, just picked it up to clear the litter. That Turnip The Beet shop a mile along the road was worth the closure at the Beech Tree though, their stuff is top notch.
The weather on the first two days was amazing and no complaints to be had. I couldn't believe my luck with the bug net only and I could have probably got away with it for over half the trip but the forecast made me a wee bit more cautious some nights.
Sadly it didn't work out for him and it was a tough decision for us to make because of the guilt involved mainly but we know we'll get it done again.
I hope you like the rest of the trip like these days and they should be up soon, I've just got the edits to finish off.
Cheers for watching Gus and good luck with the ol' fishing.
Love the editing on this. I have watched loads of WHW blogs in prep for my attempt at it in 3 weeks. Taking 7 days to do it and hoping we get the weather and less midgys. I'd have loved the person that dropped that Mr Kipling cake to be stopped at the side of the road only to see you come past 10 minutes later munching on their desert haha.
Hey Jonny, I'm glad you liked the edit and hope the vlog has helped with your prep.
You'll have a blast over seven days and I can only hope you get good weather and low midges, their season ends around mid September so here's hoping.
We were hoping to stumble across someone searching their bag or overhear a wee "oh, where's my Mr Kipling cake?" but it never happened, gutted.
I'll have my next stages up before you set off so hopefully they give you some help too.
Thanks again for watching and best of luck on your attempt.
Did the whw. When I was 65 with my daughter some years back she ended up getting blisters don’t know how she did it. Said she didn’t want to quit as I was so looking forward to it I admire her as at the end of it she had poisoned feet. The scenery is brilliant
Well, firstly, congratulations to both of you on completing the route and you're not wrong about the scenery... it is stunning!
If sustaining poisoned feet for your mother's enjoyment is not dedication then I don't know what is and I can only imagine the pain and recovery time.
Thank you for watching my wee video and I hope that you and your daughter have many more trips (without poisoned feet).
- Bryan -
Fabulous! 😊🙏
Thank you 🫡
Great film mate, really enjoyed it. I'm just editing my first walking video series now myself so enjoyed seeing how you structured the film etc. Looking forward to more adventures!
Hey JakeMay, where's your walking series taking you? I have re-watched this series back so many times because I absolutely loved this trip (except where my cousin had to bail). I constantly run the trip around in my mind from time to time and hope you get to do the same too with your travels.
If you haven't already done so, I have to urge you look into doing the WHW.
Another exciting and interesting hiking tour with a stunning forest and beauty of nature around.
Hey Joel, I'm glad that you liked this one. I am rather lucky to be in such a stunning country.
Fabulous! Shame about Chris Bryan. Bittersweet as you say but probably the best decision. It would have only got worse for him. Brought back great memories of me and my pal doing this walk in 1988! I cant believe it was 34 years ago.....🙄. Made me quite reflective this morning. Some lovely images and the small clip of you on the jetty was lovely. Looking forward to watching the rest of the journey. Fabulous. Paul
Cheers mate.
I know, it was a blow but as they say, the hills will always be there (until they erode over many millennia) so we'll get back to it another day.
1988! What... were you 6!?
It was a cracking trip and glad it brought back memories. The water at the jetty was crystal clear and I just wanted to jump in. You could see the bottom and all the wee minnow shoals but I had walking to do 😂
I hope you like the rest of the trip, the finale will be up tomorrow so you better catch-up 😉
@@AScotsmanOutdoors 17 mate! My first adventure 🥴🥴
Do you think you'll do it again?
@@AScotsmanOutdoors yeah! Not at the top of my list but yeah would do it again 😁
Hi Bryan, throughly enjoyed your first leg...
Shame about Chris !!
Fantastic weather.
Cheers
👍🏔
Thanks Dave, I'm glad you enjoyed this.
It was a shame but we'll get it done again I'm sure.
Are you planning on doing it or have you already done it?
The weather on this trip was simply phenomenal, I can't complain about it at all.
Great video, me and a pal from primary school did WHW in May 22 using baggage transfer and a mix of pods and camping. (We're 55yr young now 😆) had our rain gear on for about an hour in 7 days, so lucky. Look forward to your next few days videos 👍
Hey Derek, I'm glad you liked this one.
There's nothing wrong with a bit of luxury along the way, I did look at those pods with envy some nights 😂
A few relatives of my own have all done the route with baggage transfer and hotel stays and they all swear by it. I might afford myself a bit of luxury the next time I find time to tackle it. Then again I might not get to go for a dook in Loch Lomond (I think that was a rarity)
I'll not spoil the forecast of my next days' weather but I may or may not challenge your record of one hour in waterproofs.
Thanks for watching and commenting as always. Here's to many more outings.
Great video Bry, enjoyed that oan the big telly. Brought back memories when I did it. Unlucky for your pal Chris. My feet were in bits anaw doing it like. Cracking weather anaw. You just using your bug net has gave me an idea for fitting ma 4 season Lanshan inner, in my pyramid tent. So cheers. 😁👍
Cheers mate, I knew I'd make it to the big screen one day 😂
When did you do it?
The weather was great on days one and two (you'll need to watch 3 to 6 to see what it done 😉) but I had no complaints overall.
Doesn't the Lanshan pro come with a bug net? That Sierra Designs was an absolute gem on the WHW, it did everything I asked of it for the conditions.
@@AScotsmanOutdoors I think so. I've no got the pro. Got the Lanshan 1 and the Pyramid tent. Otherwise know as the Lanshan 1.5. I did it in 2006, before I really got into walking. Bought cheap trail shoes aff ebay and were wrecked in a week. I was taking pairs of jeans and had a pot strapped to ma 90l rucksack. I wis none the wiser back then. 😆 After 3 days and getting to destinations in the dark, we signed up for travel light. Got our bags dropped off for us, as my shoulders were aw bruised from the heavy pack. 🤭
Nice one Bryan, brought back some good memories. 😁 Giving me the hankering to do it again.
Cheers mate, the memories are what they're all about these walks. I've certainly got good ones from it but I think I was lucky overall.
I think it would be a beaut to do with a bit of snow on the hills, not covered but enough.
@@AScotsmanOutdoors winter would be good, you'd get away with a pair of Microspikes.
That was a shame about your cousin mate, it was nice seeing you having a good time together! I'm surprised about him having such bad blisters as well - am I right in thinking he had a pair of Bhutans? Fingers crossed you get to complete it with him in the near future :)
Beautifully put together (loved the shot of you getting the pack on with your cousin sprawled out in the background) and I'm really looking forward to the next installment :D
I know, he was well up for it and we've always been outdoors types from when we were kids, building dens and tree houses while exploring woodlands. This was hoping to be some of that boyhood fun but as you saw, the body gets older.
He did have Bhutans on. He said he's had them a while but this was the worst in terms of blisters he's suffered. He did have a pre-existing blister which became worse and didn't help him.
We will definitely get it done together and have briefly discussed how we'll do it but we will.
😂 Yeah, he was loving that spot with the morning sun. It was actually a nice wee bit and you could see a flat mark nearby where someone had camped so it's always a future location.
I'm glad you liked it mate and hopefully the next stages will be just as good to watch.
@@AScotsmanOutdoors I totally get that, I remember the days of dens and summers of fun well - now we have to make do with 'getting away'.. Anyway, it looked an absolute cracker, hope you had a good wee dook in the loch as well after all that heat! :D
A pre-existing blister must have been murder, but one of the pluses with they boots is that I never once had any blistering or anything, just shows you as you said - I always remember Ray's blisters from the Cape Wrath Trail, how he carried on as far as he did I have no idea!!!
Oh to be young(er) again 😂
I did have a good dook and couldn't believe my luck, standing in Loch Lomond having a full on wash with the water being a lovely temperature. Probably some of the best conditions that night I've ever experienced at Loch Lomond.
Blisters are an annoyance and I'm sure we'll all get them at one stage. I think I've just been lucky with all the years spent in boots that it's helped my feet resist them.
I vaguely remember Ray's blisters but will need to go back and rewatch, and to do some research too 😉
Great journey, I'm doing it June...hoping to find some Brownie trail magic 🤙
Aw I'm not jealous much 😞 😂
I hope you get as good a time as I did overall. It is a fantastic route and you'll love it.
Are you camping the route?
@@AScotsmanOutdoors looking to yes, doing it with my brother in law, fingers crossed we both finish but as you said in your vid if not just one of those things 🙃.
Tough choices made, but probably for the best. The route will be there for another attempt together.
It was a horrible decision for us to have but, as you say, the route will still be there and we will do it again.
Have you guys got any plans for doing the route as a whole? Do I remember hearing you say that you've done it in sections?
@@AScotsmanOutdoors I’ve done up to Inverarnan as part of training for the Rob Roy Mighty Hike a few years ago and I think Dougs might have gone slightly further, but neither of us have completed it. We’d like to do it but trying to fit it in somewhere is difficult.
Ah, I see.
That was the issue for my cousin and I, finding the time off together and for long enough. It was a part of why I carried on despite him having to stop because we had planned the time. I'm sure my holiday window next year will see a portion taken to squeeze in another go because we will do it together.
It'll be good when you get to do it and I hope you get the weather I had, thus far.
Ive attempted it twice and failed both times. 1st time lasted 7 miles where I had a massive fit/seisure. "nd time till Bridge of Orchy, where I was experiencing dizziness all day and didnt want to take the chance along the moors. £rd time is due in May 2023. Hoping I will complete it then.
Great video upto now. Sorry bout ur freind.
Hey Paul, thanks for watching and hopefully the full series helps in some way.
Great effort in keeping at this and also for knowing when to stop, I'm sure it'll be third time lucky for you.
Are you looking to camp the route or are you staying in accommodation?
@@AScotsmanOutdoors 1st 2 times I was staying in accomodation. Think is is where I was going wrong. I was training to walk the milages, but failed to inc the terrain. It was over exurting myself. 3rd time, I plan to camp. This way, if I feel tired or ill, I can set up camp. Afterall, I have no set times to complete it. Already got all the equipment.
That sounds like a plan and now you know the terrain you'll face a bit better.
I saw a good number of people who were cruising along and pitching tents wherever they felt so that is definitely an option. Some morning I would pass tents in the most obscure places but that's part of the adventure I guess.
Having no set time frame is a nice place to be too, you can take in things at your leisure and hopefully the weather will allow this.
It's sounding like you're ready for round three and good to go. You'll need to keep me updated on your progress.
@@AScotsmanOutdoors Going to wait till the spring now. More time to train. More time to lose weight, lol. Will keep ya updated.
Hi Sounds like anxiety attack ? Rapid breathing can lead to it. So do breathing exercises, even take a paper bag to breath into. Take plenty of rest stops and drink as often as possible as and consider keeping up your sugar levels. Good sun coverage is as important as rain coverage. An umbrella will give you shade in the exposed areas. Why am I saying this ? Because I've had the same experience and had to pull out of a hike. I'm planning to walk the WHW next month. So good luck
great vid, looking forward to the next part
i had a failed attempt at the WHW before, and its still on my to-do list...
you are obviously carrying all your kit, there seems to be a trend now to use the back packing services to get your kit dropped off for you... i might do this myself to make things abit easier if i give it another go
Hey mate, as always, I'm glad you liked it and hopefully more of the same with the next stages.
I did carry the full kit. It was always a goal to camp the whole route on my first attempt but would be happy to use accomodation from now on (ah the showers 😂).
During my walk I would say that about 80% of the people I spoke to or saw were using the baggage transfer companies. You can usually tell who these people are, they're the ones who look and smell fresh most days.
If you don't mind me asking, what put a stop to your attempt? Was it injuries like my cousin?
@@AScotsmanOutdoors blisters and the rainy weather.
The blisters were what finished it for my cousin this time. I think doing it with pods booked along the way would be a brilliant way to do it and protect from any rain but that increases prices too.
Here's hoping you get it done mate.
@@AScotsmanOutdoors your right, and cost is an issue... i think doing it and carrying your full kit is the proper way, but i have to be honest and admit, if i do it again i'll probably go for the back packing service
I think there was about 80% of the people I encountered used the baggage carry service so it's definitely a popular choice.
Like you say, I too think the carry your kit is the traditional way but I would not be averse to glamping the next time, or even use a baggage transfer.
What time of year would you aim to do it?
What boots/trainers were you wearing? I think it would be good for people doing videos o the WHW, would be advice on footwear. Well done sir.
Hi Patrick, I'm currently using Scarpa R-Evo GTX and these are what I used on the WHW. I found them to bring enough support for the rocky / scrambly ground but also have the flexibility for continuous walking. The laces are quite to release and the tongue / sock opens really wide to allow them to breath, dry out and for just popping on your feet in the middle of the night when you need to hop out of the tent.
Overall, I think they're a brilliant all round boot and perfect for a trail like the WHW.
What boots do you use just now?
I have being using mammut saupen boots for about 8 months and found them to be brilliant, waterproof and great comfort. But i am walking the west highland way with my two sons in the end of May this year and i have a pair of scarpa boreas boots that i have been trying out, very light and comfortable and so far very waterproof , i was thinking of using them for the WSW. When i first walk sections of the WSW back many years ago it was with scarpa leather boots ( before fabric type boots were even a thing) they were good, heavy with no blisters but the newer boots are brilliant for overall flexibility. Cheers.
Sorry for the late response Patrick,
I thought about wearing properly lightweight goretex boots, like the almost trainer style ones, but opted for my R-Evo's. They were just the right mix of ankle support and sole thickness to tackle the rocky / tarmac / wet / dry route of the WHW.
For me, I wouldn't go full hiking boot and neither would I go ultra lightweight for boots. It's all down to preference and you'll know your feet best.