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The '''West Highland Way''' ([[Scottish Gaelic]]: Slighe na Gàidhealtachd an Iar) is a linear [[Long-distance trail|long distance footpath]] in [[Scotland]], with the official status of [[Long Distance Routes|Long Distance Route]]. It is 153 kilometres (95 miles) long, running from [[Milngavie]] north of [[Glasgow]] to [[Fort William, Highland|Fort William]] in the [[Scottish Highlands]], with an element of [[hill walking]] in the route. It is managed jointly by [[West Dunbartonshire]] Council, [[Stirling Council]], [[Argyll & Bute]] Council and [[Highland Council]] and [[Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park]] Authority. About 85,000 people use the path every year.
The '''West Highland Way''' ([[Scottish Gaelic]]: Slighe na Gàidhealtachd an Iar) is a linear [[Long-distance trail|long distance footpath]] in [[Scotland]], with the official status of [[Long Distance Routes|Long Distance Route]]. It is 154.5kilometres (96 miles) long, running from [[Milngavie]] north of [[Glasgow]] to [[Fort William, Highland|Fort William]] in the [[Scottish Highlands]], with an element of [[hill walking]] in the route. It is managed jointly by [[West Dunbartonshire]] Council, [[Stirling Council]], [[Argyll & Bute]] Council and [[Highland Council]] and [[Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park]] Authority. About 85,000 people use the path every year.


== History ==
== History ==

Revision as of 14:50, 25 November 2010

West Highland Way

The West Highland Way (Scottish Gaelic: Slighe na Gàidhealtachd an Iar) is a linear long distance footpath in Scotland, with the official status of Long Distance Route. It is 154.5kilometres (96 miles) long, running from Milngavie north of Glasgow to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands, with an element of hill walking in the route. It is managed jointly by West Dunbartonshire Council, Stirling Council, Argyll & Bute Council and Highland Council and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority. About 85,000 people use the path every year.

History

The trail was the first officially designated long distance footpath in Scotland. The trail was approved for development in 1974 and was completed and opened on October 6, 1980 by Lord Mansfield.[1] In June 2010, the West Highland Way was co-designated as part of the International Appalachian Trail.[2]

The route

WHW route marker

The path uses many ancient roads, including Drovers' roads, military roads and old coaching roads and is traditionally walked from south to north. As well as increasing the sense of adventure, taking the route in this direction keeps the sun from one's eyes.

The route is traditionally walked in seven to eight days, although fitter and more experienced walkers do it in five or six. The route can be covered in considerably less time than this, but less hurried progress is the choice of the majority of walkers, allowing for appreciation of the countryside along the Way. Indeed, enjoyment of the natural surroundings of the walk are the primary motivating factor for many people following the route.

The path officially starts in Milngavie town centre, where a granite obelisk is located. Most walkers arrive at the railway station located close by. Milngavie is a town located on the northern fringe of the conurbation of Glasgow, and the path rapidly emerges into open countryside. It proceeds by way of country roads, an abandoned railway, the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and scenic Conic Hill on the Highland Boundary Fault, to reach Balmaha on Loch Lomond. From here, the route follows the isolated, wooded, eastern shores of the loch via Rowardennan and Inversnaid to Inverarnan. Rowardennan is the furthest north road access is available on the east shore of the loch from the south. Road access to Inversnaid is from the east, via Aberfoyle.

The Devil's Staircase

The Way follows Glen Falloch northward to Crianlarich then north west along Strathfillan to Tyndrum. North of Tyndrum the Way enters Glen Orchy before crossing the desolate yet beautiful Rannoch Moor and descending into Glen Coe. From here, the route climbs the Devil's Staircase before a great descent into Kinlochleven at sea level. The final stage skirts the Mamore Mountains on an old military road and descends into Glen Nevis. From there, it proceeds into Fort William.

The last stage passes the foot of Ben Nevis, and many walkers crown their achievement by climbing the highest mountain in Britain.

Due to the large number of walkers being constrained to a single track, some parts of the Way have become badly eroded. However a considerable amount of work is undertaken to maintain the route so where sections of the way appear to have been eroded into tracks wide enough to drive a vehicle along, these are where the route is following sections of old military road, as with all well documented long distance paths.

Walkers seeking solitude should consider starting their journey away from the weekends.

When deciding the time of year to attempt the Way, it is good to know that midges (biting flies) and mosquitos begin swarming in May and last well into August, some years even September. Also, Scottish weather can be particularly rugged and must be respected with proper forecasting and gear.

Stage 1: Milngavie to Drymen

The path officially starts in Milngavie town centre, where a granite obelisk is located. Most walkers arrive at the railway station located close by. Milngavie is a town located on the northern fringe of the conurbation of Glasgow. The path passes Mugdock Castle and Mugdock Country Park before emerging into open countryside and finally reaching the village of Drymen.

This stage is approximately 19 kilometres (12 mi) in length.[3]

Stage 2: Drymen to Balmaha

After leaving Drymen the path enters Garadhban Forest before reaching the first major summit of the route, Conic Hill (a site of special scientific interest[4]) at 358 metres (1,175 ft). The village of Balmaha on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond is the next settlement reached.

This stage is approximately 13 kilometres (8 mi) in length.

Stage 3: Balmaha to Rowardennan

The path heads in a northerly direction alongside the eastern shore of Loch Lomond passing through Rowardennan Forest before reaching the village Rowardennan.

This stage is approximately 11 kilometres (7 mi) in length.

Stage 4: Rowardennan to Crianlarich

The path leaves Rowardennan and heads in a northerly direction alongside the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, passing a cavern known as Rob Roy's cave , before reaching the village of Crianlarich.

This stage is approximately 32 kilometres (20 mi) in length.

Stage 5: Crianlarich to Tyndrum

This stage is approximately 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) in length.

Stage 6: Tyndrum to Glencoe

This stage is approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) in length.

Stage 7: Glencoe to Kinlochleven

Glen Coe (Gleann Comhann in Gaelic ) is a glen in the Highlands of Scotland. It is often considered one of the most spectacular and beautiful places in Scotland, and is a part of the designated National Scenic Area of Ben Nevis and Glencoe. The narrow glen shows a dramatically grim grandeur, shut in on both sides by wild and precipitous mountains. Towards Invercoe the landscape acquires a softer beauty.

This stage is approximately 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) in length.

Stage 8: Kinlochleven to Fort William

This stage is approximately 24 kilometres (15 mi) in length.

West Highland Way Race

See also: ultramarathon
Jez Bragg setting a new West Highland Way Race record of 15:44:50 on 24 June 2006

An annual race along the full south–north distance of the West Highland Way has been run in its current form since 1991. The race starts at 1 am on the Saturday nearest to the Summer Solstice.[5]

Bobby Shields (Clydesdale Harriers) and Duncan Watson (Lochaber) initiated the idea of racing over Scotland's most popular long distance footpath.

On the 22nd June 1985 the two set out from Milngavie. Their route differed in many ways from the route of today: it was shorter, at 85 miles (not 95), and had 10–12 miles more on tarmac, with around 2000 ft less of climbing. After around 60 miles, as they started over Rannoch Moor, they decided to cease competing against each other and ran together. They set a time of 17 hours 48 minutes 30 seconds.

In 1986 Shields and Watson opened up an invitation to some fellow runners to race in the opposite direction, Fort William - Milngavie. 1987 saw a return to the established direction of running, South - North. 7 from 11 starters arrived in Fort William. Jim Stewart took over the organisation of the event in 1991, as the footpath was now complete, the course was changed, increasing the distance to 153 km with only 15 km on road and more climbing was introduced. With this increased difficulty runners were likely to be out longer and now a bigger percentage may be out a second night.

Dario Melaragni, who had completed the race himself three times, took over as race director in 1999.[6] He developed the format of the race by involving local mountain rescue teams who provided emergency response during the event. He also inaugurated and developed the race website, which has become a prime source of information for runners wishing to attempt the race. The race has gained status[citation needed] in recent years and entries fill within a few weeks of opening.[citation needed] In July 2009, whilst out running with friends, Melaragni suffered a suspected heart attack and died near the summit of Lochnagar in the Cairngorms.[7] His funeral was attended by many people wearing West Highland Way Race clothing.

122 runners finished in 2009. 514 have now completed the challenge. Jim Drummond has 14 finishes. The race record holder is Jez Bragg from Solihull with a time of 15:44:50, set on 24 June 2006. The female record holder is Lucy Colquhoun of North Berwick with a time of 17:16:20, set in 2007.

Towns, villages or hotels along the Way

Listed south to north, with approximate distances from Milngavie, the West Highland Way passes the following towns, villages or hotels:

References

  1. ^ The West Highland Way, Terry Marsh 2003 ISBN 1 85284 369 1 Cicerone
  2. ^ "Hiking The Appalachian Trail -- To Morocco". 2010-06-27. Retrieved 2010-07-26.
  3. ^ The West Highland Way, Terry Marsh
  4. ^ "SNH SiteLink". Retrieved 2009-04-03.
  5. ^ Race web site
  6. ^ Dario Melaragni -Herald Scotland 31 July 2009
  7. ^ Race Daddy' drops dead on hills -Herald Scotland 15 July 2009
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Approach to Glen Coe
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56°23′16″N 4°38′04″W / 56.3877°N 4.6344°W / 56.3877; -4.6344

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