The West Highland Way Guide

 

 a-guide-to-the-west-highland-way

Ration Packs And Survival Food.

Water Purification.

Survival Kit.

Adventure 1 For Supplies

ENERGY INPUT
To get the best  from  a day in the mountains  it is essential that you get enough food and drink.  A  a normal day’s activity is about 3000 kcals.
Yellow orange urine indicates dehydration , the darker the colour the more serious the problem  so make sure you do not get dehydrated and drink plenty of water.Make sure that you have enough food  and drink to last you to your next supply stop. Keep some emergency rations in your rucksack. You  never know when you might need them. Hunger can make you give up.

WEATHER.
The weather can be unpredictable at all times of the year and the West coast is prone to being very wet. Always be prepared for bad weather
A it is also sensible to keep an eye on the weather forecasts. Strong wind and rain in our faces will present a whole range of problems, not least of which is morale. More people give up a long trek because of low morale than through injuries .
Some people are advised  to get a health check before embarking on long walks in the Scottish hills.Parts of the West Highland Way can be strenuous, wet and very muddy although improvements and paths are now being laid down. When it is hot you will need some sun barrier cream.
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CAMPING.
There are some camp sites along the walk. See details in  the Harveys West Highland Way map and guide.
Midges can be very  troublesome. Make sure you  have some protection.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
The  West Highland Way is 96 miles long from Milngavie to Fort William
Take a train from Queen St  railway station to Milngavie
Train times from Queen St. are 10 minutes to the hour and 20 minutes past the hour.
Train times etc Tel 0345 484950
Buses leave from Buchanan St bus station 200 meters north of Queen St station.
Bus information Tel 0141 332 7133
In emergency Tel 999 and ask for Police.

Equipment.

FOR THOSE WALKING AND CAMPING.
A tent is essential if not booking, in advance, for accommodation.
Sleeping bag. It is important to get the correct temp rating.
Sleep mat– not essential but adds a little luxury to a nights sleep.
A rucksack to carry all your  equipment with some room to spare.
A good pair of walking boots and spare laces.
A change of socks and underwear. A minimum of 3 pairs of socks. Loop stitch if possible. Blister pads.
Cooking equipment / cooker/ plates /knife fork and spoon /can opener mug, matches
A good waterproof jacket and  trousers. Ponchos can be useful A woolly hat in winter or sun hat for summer.
A fleece jacket . Gloves when it is old.
Trousers /shirt  t-shirt. Remember that jeans soak up water. Wear light weight walking trousers.
Plenty  of food for your daily journey.
Water bottle or flexible water bottle for inside backpack.
Safety whistle and torch. Insect repellent  (mosquito net for head and bed optional)
Map or guide of the walk. A compass especially if you are going to make detours.
A small first aid kit. A watch or phone.
 If you want to wash then you will need soap and a towel (lightweight camp towel)
Try not to overload your bag. Try and keep your bag as light as possible  see front cover    

A plastic survival bag can be useful.
Gaiters. These protect the bottom of trousers form getting wet and muddy.
A length of Para cord, has a great many uses, small pen knife, pencil and paper.
Toilet paper–  small poly ,waterproof,  reusable  bags.Sewing kit.
The above equipment is for guidance only . You may not need all of it.

 

Booking Service

You  can get the Scottish Tourist Board to book  your accommodation for you. TEL 01389 722 199 or   Glasgow  Tel  0141 204 4400.
RUCKSACK TRANSFER SERVICE.
Rucksack transfer for the west highland way. Rapid uplift and drop off to the door of your accommodation. Prices start from  £45 per  rucksack.
   AMS.         Tel 01236 722795.
Travel Lite.   Tel  0141 956 7890.

Youth Hostels
Rowardennan   Tel 01360 870259.
Crianlarich  Tel 01838 300260.
Glen Nevis  Tel 01397 702336.
For further information contact the Scottish  Youth Hostel Association  at 7 Clebe Crescent Stirling FK8 2JA TEL 01786 451180.
It is advisable to book your accommodation in advance. In busy periods accommodation is easier to find if you start mid week.
Easyways Accommodation Booking Service for the the West Highland Way , St Cuthbert's Way and the Great Glen Way.
Easyway will  do all the administration work for you and book good  quality accommodation. Brochure available.
Address– room 32 Haypark Business Centre,  Larchmont avenue,Polmont, Falkirk, Stirlingshire FK2 0NZ
TEL 01324 714132   FAX 01324 887766.
E-MAIL info@easyways.com
www.easyways.com

Transport.

TREKKING.
Avalon Trekking.
Guided walking  holidays in the United Kingdom. They will organise accommodation  and all meals and transport.. Tel 00 44 1889 57 5646.
Bespoke Highland Tours.
They specialise in tours for  individuals who wish  a self guided walking holiday  with a tour customised to their needs.   Package includes detailed itineraries, maps and daily baggage transfer.  Tel 0141 334 9017
C-N DO Scotland
Specialise in West Highland Way trips. Fully trained guides. All meals , transport and accommodation provided. Tel 01786 445703 24 hrs
Contours walking Holidays
West Highland Way  and other tours. Small groups with trained guides. Accommodation and luggage transfer with maps.

Make Tracks Walking Holidays
Self guided walking holidays on the West Highland Way and others.
Guides and maps, luggage transfer and accommodation.
10 years experience
Tel 0131 229 6844

Campsites.

Drymen
Easter Drumquhassle Farm [NS486 871] One mile south of Drymen, small campsite (20 pitches) with drying facilities.
Garadhban Forest [NS453 918] Two miles north of Drymen this is a backpackers site with no facilities. It is intended for single night-stays and the only restriction is that we ask people not to light fires; (can be a bit midgy).
Balmaha
Milarrochy Bay Camping & Caravan Club Site [NS407 926] Large campsite full facilities 1.5miles/2.5km north of Balmaha.
Rowardennan
Cashel Campsite [NS] Large campsite full facilities 4 miles/6.5km south of Rowardennan.
Ardess [NS 359 995] Backpackers site no facilities. Follow the waymarker to the right of the youth Hostel entrance for 200m .It is intended for single night-stays and the only restriction is that we ask people not to light fires.
Rowchoish Bothy [NN338 043] 4miles/6.5km north of Rowardennan. Basic roofed stone building with a sleeping platform and a fireplace.
Inversnaid
Inversnaid Boathouse [NN336 094] 400m north of Inversnaid backpackers site. It is intended for single night-stays and the only restriction is that we ask people not to light fires.
Doune Bothy [NN332 144] 4.5 miles/7km north of Inversnaid. Basic roofed stone building with a sleeping platform and a fireplace.
Inverarnan
Beinglas Farm/Campsite [NN321 187] 40 tent pitches and 4 wigwams with laundrette, shop toilets and showers.

TyndrumRiver Fillan [NN358 280] Backpackers site with no facilities. Two miles south of Tyndrum by the wooden bridge on the west bank where the Way crosses the river Fillan. It is intended for single night-stays and the only restriction is that we ask people not to light fires.Auchtertyre Farm/Strathfillan Wigwams [NN355 290] 16 wigwams 5 tent pitches with showers. It is situated a mile and half south of Tyndrum.Bye the Way - a small campsite with drying, laundry and cooking facilities.Bridge of OrchyBridge of Orchy [NN296 397] informal camping north-west bank of the river beside the bridge. No facilities.InveroranInveroran [NN271 414] informal camping 200m north of the hotel. No facilities.Kingshouse
Kingshouse [NN260 548] Permissive camping no facilities available.
Kinlochleven
Blackwater Hostel & Campsite [NN186 621] 30 tent pitches with a shower block, drying room and many other facilities.
MacDonald Hotel & Lochside Campsite [NN186 621] 25 pitches, showers, toilets and drying room.
Fort William
Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park [NN125 723] Large campsite (130 tent pitches).

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