West Highland Way accommodation is sometimes sparsely distributed, so walkers embarking on this epic trail would do well to plan out their stop-off points before starting. Our bed & breakfast in Killearn is only a few minutes off the path, and is a great place to stop off for the evening, or a weekend, on your way from Glasgow to Fort William.
The Highland Boundary Fault
The Route
The West Highland Way is one of Scotland’s most famous walking routes, and winds for over 150km over seven or eight days, from Glasgow to Fort William further North. It uses many ancient roads, some built by the Roman Empire, and is generally followed from South to North (as it keeps the sun at your back and leads you further away from modern civilization).
The West Highland Way then continues along country roads, an abandoned railway, the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and scenic Conic Hill on the Highland Boundary Fault,
View of Loch Lomond
After passing through the Fault the trail winds around to our own Loch Lomond, passing by Ben Lomond with excellent views. Depending on how quickly you are walking the trail, you should pass a few minutes from our front door on your second or third day – a perfect time to make use of a cosy West Highland Way bed and breakfast.
After you leave Torridon House and Ben Lomond on the third stage of the West Highland Way you’ll pass along the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, then through Rowardennan Forest before reaching the village of Rowardennan.
The next stage will lead you past the famous Rob Roy’s Cave, and then three separate sub-stages of around 7 miles each will take you through the towns of Inversnaid, Inverarnan and on to Crianlarich. You might want to break this lengthy stage into two by stopping off at a West Highland Way bed and breakfast if you are not an experienced walker.
The Devil's Staircase
In the following stages you’ll follow the West Highland Way across the Bridge of Orchy, and on to Kingshouse - another lengthy trek you may want to break into two smaller walks. The last stages of your journey will take you to Glen Coe, after which the Way ascends the famous Devil’s Staircase before returning to sea level at Kinlochleven.
The last steps of the West Highland Way lead past Ben Liven on the way to Fort William. Ben Liven is the tallest mountain in Britain, and so many walkers choose to end their journey by adding the climb to their achievements.
If you’re planning on walking the West Highland Way, it is worth noting that midges and mosquitoes start swarming around May and last well into August and September. If bugs bother you, then avoid these months.
If other people bother you, then avoid starting your journey on the weekends, as these are the busiest times for casual walkers doing a single part of the West Highland Way.