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Independent walking holidays -   West Highland Way - Scotland
This walk passes through the magnificent Highlands of Scotland from south of Loch Lomond to Fort William and Ben Nevis. The route is a step back into history - most of the day stages follow the famous droving and military roads that linked the Highlands to the Lowlands. Many of the inns have operated for centuries. From the Lowland patchwork quit of fields the path threads its way along the shore of Loch Lomond past islands known to Robert the Bruce as a source of wood for his archers. The "Way" passes through moor and forest to Ben More. It is the landscape of Rob Roy including the inns he used to raid. From the Bridge of Orchy on to Loch Tulla and then the heather wastes of Rannoch Moor to the King's House - Scotland's oldest and most remote licensed inn. Leave the moor by the Devil's Staircase and on to Glencoe. The Way drops down to Kinlochleven and the final stage is over the Lairigmor Pass into the valley of Glen Nevis to Fort William.

No of Nights :           9
Starts at:                 Milngavie         Ends at:   Fort William
Grade:                    Moderate   95 miles. 9-15 miles per day with a maximum daily ascent of 1,500ft.
Dates available:     Start any day from March to Oct
Accommodation:    Stay in friendly guesthouses, small family-run hotels, farmhouse bed and breakfasts and country inns, all offering you the warmth of traditional British hospitality

Meals included:      Breakfast daily.
Price:                      649 GBP (Great Britain Pounds) based on double

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival day

Day 2: Milngavie to Drymen 20km (12½ miles), 235 metres (770ft) of ascent The first section undulates through gentle countryside from Milngavie to Drymen, passing the Dumgoyach Standing Stones, and the Glengoyne Distillery en-route.

Day 3: Drymen to Rowardennan
25½km (16 miles), 760 metres (2,500ft) of ascent Following forest tracks, paths and minor roads through gently rolling countryside, today’s walk rewards you with stunning views of the surrounding hills, including Ben Lomond to the north, before skirting the shores of Loch Lomond.

Day 4: Rowardennan to Ardlui
20km (12½ miles), 450 metres (1,500ft) of ascent A beautiful walk continuing along the banks of Loch Lomond before winding through countryside associated with the notorious outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor. The walk passes close by ‘Rob Roy's Prison’ and ‘Rob Roy's Cave’. At the north east shore hail a ferry to take you across the loch, to Ardlui.

Day 5: Ardlui to Crianlarich
14 ½ km (9 miles), 213 metres (700ft) of ascent A pleasant start to the day as you sail over the Loch to rejoin the West Highland Way. A gentle ascent up Glen Falloch takes you past the Falls of Falloch, and on to follow the route along General Wade’s 18th century military road, to Crianlarich.

Day 6 Crianlarich to Bridge of Orchy
21 km (13 miles), 297 metres (975ft) of ascent Continuing along the military road head over the pass to be greeted by views of magnificent Beinn Dorain. Descending to the valley floor, enjoy easy walking to Bridge of Orchy.

Day 7: Bridge of Orchy to Kingshouse
19km (12 miles), 305 metres (1,000ft) of ascent The open expanse of Rannoch Moor awaits. A landscape of wild, open moorland- scenery of heather, rocks and lochans. This lonely landscape, encircled by mountains, accompanies you until you reach Kingshouse, Scotland’s oldest licensed inn.

Day 8: Kingshouse to Kinlochleven
14½ km (9 miles), 425 metres (1,400ft) of ascent Magnificent scenery to admire, with the imposing picture postcard mountain of Buchaille Etive Mor in view as you climb the "Devil's Staircase". From the Staircase summit, the highest point of the West Highland Way, we have excellent views of the Mamore Hills to the north, as well as hills to the south and east. Road walking now on the descent to Kinlochleven.

Day 9: Kinlochleven to Fort William
22½ km (15 miles), 875 metres (2,875ft) of ascent A steep but short climb out of Kinlochleven takes you on to Lairigmor. With magnificent mountains either side the walk makes a final ascent through forestry, to the hillside above Glen Nevis, for spectacular views of “The Ben”, Britain's highest mountain. Continuing down the glen, end the walk in Fort William.

Day 10: Departure day