Self Guided - West Highland Way - Donovan

The West Highland Gate is situated on the main road through Milngavie (near the Police Station). From Milngavie railway station, exit onto Woodburn Way and turn left. Follow this road for 800 yards/725 metres and the Premier Inn be on your left. For the start of the Way cross over Main Street and retrace your steps for 355 yards/325 metres then bear left into Milngavie’s shopping precinct. Proceed through the precinct to the central clock tower. Bear right and you will arrive at the start of the West Highland Way in around 100 yards/90 metres.

The West Highland Gate is ideally situated for both the train station and the start of the West Highland Way. Breakfast is optional at the Premier Inn but as part of your tour cost a full Scottish breakfast has been booked and prepaid on your behalf. Laundry and drying facilities are not on offer. Guests will be welcomed any time after 1500 hrs although an earlier check in of 1100 hrs is on offer for £10.00 per room payable upon arrival. However, this can only be arranged upon arrival and the Premier Inn have told us that with check out being 12 noon then this option may well be limited (bear in mind though that a great majority of their clients are walkers and they won’t be hanging around until noon!). There is a wide choice of establishments in Milngavie for an evening meal including the Premier Inn’s Beefeater restaurant. Either way then advance booking is highly recommended. Packed lunches are available from the restaurant, please order upon arrival.

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On the latter stage of the route from Milngavie to Drymen you will be walking along a country road. Shortly after leaving this road you will arrive at the A811 road (you will have walked through a field and crossed a stile). At this point make your way into Drymen village (signposted). With the village square in front of you turn right and pass the Clachan Inn which will now be on your left. Continue a short distance up hill and you will see the red sandstone of Ashbank on your left hand side.

Ashbank is a family-run establishment in the heart of the conservation village of Drymen and was once the home of the famous Olympian Eric Liddell whose story was depicted in the Oscar winning film Chariots of Fire. Laundry is on offer (costs £5.00 per machine load) and drying facilities are available at no extra charge. Guests are welcome any time after 1600 hrs but if you arrive before this then please give Tommy a call since you may be able to check in early (within reason of course). Please could Tommy on 01360 660049 or then 07769 938259. There is a good choice of establishments in the village for an evening meal and advance booking is essential. Please note that if packed lunches are required then you can order upon arrival but advance notice would be very much appreciated. Please have a wee look at Ashbank’s video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O57Le7b132U

Drymen is a small village in the west of Scotland forming the gateway to East Loch Lomond. In the 1700s Drymen found itself on the route of the military road from Stirling to Dumbarton. The Clachan Inn, on a corner of The Square, dates back to this period and carries signs proclaiming that it was first licensed in 1734. The area – steeped in history – is Clan Buchanan country. Rob Roy McGregor was a ‘local’ and this is the area in which he carried out his famous (or infamous) exploits against the Duke of Montrose.

The Way leads directly to the hotel.

The Rowardennan Hotel is ideally situated directly on the Way and unofficially marks the stage of Rowardennan. Drying and laundry facilities are not available. The hotel has asked us to stress that rooms will only be ready from 1500 hrs so if you are early due to either taking a taxi or walking from Balmaha then you can relax in the Clansman Bar or Beer Garden until your room is ready. Your kind understanding would be very much appreciated, thank you. An evening meal is available at the hotel and advance booking is strongly recommended (this is the best way to obtain the time you prefer) or you can also book upon arrival. Packed lunches are on offer, please order from the bar before 2000 hrs and they should be picked up from the bar at breakfast time.

The largest freshwater lake in Britain, Loch Lomond is over 23 miles long and 5 miles wide at its widest point. Loch Lomond’s beauty has drawn visitors from all over the world. Famous writers such as Boswell, Johnson, Sir Walter Scott, William Wordsworth and John Keats have all visited its shores – and Queen Victoria sailed on a steamer from Inversnaid in 1869. Steamers used to provide the main form of transport, linking the loch side with Balloch.

The small village of Rowardennan on the east shore of Loch Lomond nestles at the foot of Ben Lomond This is Rob Roy country. One of Rob Roy’s sons brought a kidnapped heiress to the Rowardennan Inn and forced her to go through a ceremony of marriage; a plot for which he was hanged in Edinburgh.

The Inn served as a wayside halt for the drovers who brought their highland cattle across the loch by ferry on their way to the markets of Stirling and Falkirk. Rising from the east shore of Loch Lomond, to a height of 974 m (3,193 ft), is Ben Lomond, the most southerly ‘Munro’ in Scotland. The road along the eastern shore of Loch Lomond stops at Rowardennan and the only way to continue along the shore is on foot.

You will arrive at the farm as you walk along the route to Inverarnan.

Laundry facilities are on offer (£3.50/wash and £1.50/dry with soap powder included). Drying facilities are available with a hanging area for wet clothes. Guests will be welcomed any time after 1500 hrs. An evening meal is available at Beinglas Farm, please order your meal upon arrival. Alternatively, meals are available at the Drovers Inn in Inverarnan village which is around 10 minutes walk each way. Packed lunches are on offer, also please order upon arrival.

The West Highland Way continues northwards from Rowardennan along the ‘bonnie banks’ of Loch Lomond, sometimes close to the water’s edge and sometimes well up the slopes. The village of Inverarnan is situated at the south end of Glen Falloch and just beyond the northern point of Loch Lomond. It sits on the banks of the River Falloch, which flows into Loch Lomond.

The Most famous landmark at this stage is the ‘Drovers Inn’ one of the best known pubs in Scotland. The Drovers Inn was originally used by the Highland drovers who used to drive their cattle down the side of Loch Lomond to the markets. Three hundred years ago The Drovers opened for business, Rob Roy MacGregor, Robert Burns, General Wade, Johnson and Boswell, Robert Louis Stevenson all passed by and quite probably entered the premises for refreshment or lodging. Beinglas takes its name from Ben Glas, Gaelic for Grey Mountain, down which the dramatic ‘Grey Mares Tail’ waterfall thunders.

As you approach the outskirts of Tyndrum village, you will have been following a river or burn on your right hand side. Continue on the Way, passing through a small group of houses and then you will reach a small tarmac road. Turn right and walk up the road for a very short distance and you will see Tigh na Fraoch clearly signposted on the left hand side of the road.

This b&b is of a very good standard and is ideally situated just off the Way, close to the village centre and all amenities. A laundry service is not on offer since there is an excellent laundrette at the back of the nearby Green Welly Stop (typically £8.00 per decent sized load & £2.00 for a 15 minute dry cycle). Heather will be pleased to point you in the right direction. Drying facilities are available at no extra charge. Guests will be welcomed any time after 1500 hrs. There is a choice of establishments in the village for an evening meal all within easy walking distance (advance booking highly recommended although note that the Real Food Café does not take advance bookings). Packed lunches are available, please order upon arrival.

Tyndrum, Taigh an Droma in Gaelic, translated as ‘the house on the ridge’ lies in Strathfillan at the southern edge of Rannoch Moor. Overshadowed by Ben Lui, one of the Munros (Scottish mountains over 914.4 metres or 3000 feet), Tyndrum has historic connections with Robert the Bruce and Rob Roy MacGregor. In 1306 Bruce suffered one of his rare defeats at nearby Dal Righ, the King’s Field. Tradition tells of his retreating soldiers throwing their heavy weapons into Lochan nan Arm. Defeat came at the hands of the MacDougall’s, during the battle, Alastair MacDougall ripped a brooch from Bruce as he made off and the ‘Brooch of Lorne’ is still in the possession of the MacDougall family. Tyndrum is a gold, silver & lead mining centre. Up on the hillside beyond Clifton the tailings of a former lead mine can be seen on Sron nan Colan hill. The actual gold mine is a couple of miles to the south and west of Tyndrum at Cononish, situated above Cononish Farm.

The hotel is easy to find since it is situated directly on the Way.

The hotel is ideally situated on the main (A82) road, directly on the Way at the stage of Bridge of Orchy. A laundry service is not available and in the annex rooms themselves there is a wardrobe area in the corridor entrance of the room with a heater where minimal drying of clothes is possible. If you are in the main hotel building (classic rooms) then no drying facilities are available. Rooms will be available from strictly 1500 hrs onwards (note, however, that the hotel is open all day). If for any reason, you anticipate arriving at the hotel later than 2100 hrs then Reception will be closed so you should check in at the bar. However, as per our instructions, accommodation providers ask walkers to telephone them to advise if they intend arriving any later than 1800 hrs in any case. If you require an earlier check-in of 1200 noon onwards then this can be arranged with at least 24 hrs notice and costs £20.00 per room. At Bridge of Orchy the hotel is the only place at the stage itself for an evening meal. The hotel offers a choice of dining in the restaurant or the bar. It is essential that you make a dinner reservation for the restaurant or bar in advance of your stay (telephone: 01838 400208 or email: [email protected]). Packed lunches are available, please order upon arrival.

The story of Bridge of Orchy is a story of travel and of travellers. In the years after the 1715 and 1745 Jacobite uprisings the government put a huge amount of effort into building roads and bridges over the length and breadth of the Highlands. Until then drove routes had existed to move cattle to the lowland markets. However, most travel took place by sea and the majority of significant settlements hugged coasts or major rivers. A bout of road building during the eighteenth century was intended to provide a means of moving troops quickly around the interior to suppress the rebellion. These were the military roads built by General Wade and later by Major Caulfield.

The Way leads directly to the Kingshouse Hotel.

The Kingshouse Hotel is ideally situated directly on the Way and boasts a bar and viewing area where the wonders of the amazing scenery can be enjoyed in the 21st Century comfort and refinement. Laundry is coin operated, all other areas of hotel cashless preferred. Rooms will be available from 1500 hrs, however, the hotel is open all day. An evening meal is available at the hotel and advance booking for the restaurant and bar is essential – please book online at https://www.kingshousehotel.co.uk/eat/book-a-table . Packed lunches are available, please order upon arrival.

Originally built in the 17th century, Kingshouse Hotel is believed to be one of Scotland’s oldest licensed inns. The building was used after the Battle of Culloden (1746) as a barracks for troops of George III, hence the name Kings House. It was their task to keep the Highlanders under subjection and to capture their elusive champion, Bonnie Prince Charlie. The Hotel’s history is colourful and varied. Dorothy Wordsworth wrote in 1803 ‘Never did I see such a miserable, such wretched place – long rooms with ranges of beds, no other furniture except benches, or perhaps one or two crazy chairs, the floors far dirtier than an ordinary house could be if it were never washed.’ By the 21st Century, the old building has been altered considerably and the owners together with their staff assure you of a warm welcome. The mountain situated right across from the hotel is the Buachaille Etive Mòr at the head of Glen Etive. Nearby is Glencoe (Gleann Comhann in Gaelic) one of the most spectacular places in Scotland. With a wild and haunting beauty, Glencoe is often said to mean ‘Glen of Weeping’, perhaps with some reference to the infamous Massacre of Glencoe which took place there in 1692. However, ‘Gleann Comhann’ does not translate as ‘Glen of Weeping’ rather the Glen is named after the River Coe which runs through it and bore this name long prior to the 1692 incident.

Follow the track from the pipeline down to the village and turn left when you reach the road in Kinlochleven (B863). Continue along this road for a short distance through the village and the Highland Getaway is on your right hand side clearly signposted.

The Highland Getaway is ideally situated in the centre of Kinlochleven village close to all amenities.  Laundry facilities are not available but drying facilities are on offer for no extra charge. Guests will be welcomed from 1400 hrs onwards. There is a choice of establishments in the village for an evening meal, including the Highland Getaway (advance booking is essential for the Highland Getaway). Packed lunches are available, please order upon arrival.

Kinlochleven, at the head of Loch Leven, 20 miles south of Fort William and 90 miles north of Glasgow, is a unique village, rich in natural resources and with a strong industrial heritage. The village developed in the 1900’s when the North British Aluminium Company built a hydro scheme and smelter in the area. As the smelter developed, so the population grew. At its peak the smelter employed over 800 people. The smelter closed in April 2000 but the sense of community continues. Now the growing popularity of the West Highland Way brings a steady stream of visitors to the village. Loch Leven is one of the most attractive lochs in Scotland and the village is surrounded by imposing mountains. To the north lie the Mamores, while to the south are the mountains guarding the north side of Glencoe.

Inverlochy Castle is situated north of Fort William on the A82 approximately 3.5 miles (5.5 km) from Fort William town centre. Therefore, you have two choices and the first is to take advantage of Inverlochy Castle’s pick-up service from/to Fort William train station (costs £20.00 each way) on your arrival/departure date. This can be arranged on the day itself but as much notice as possible would be appreciated. However, taxis are widely available at the bus and train stations as well as the town centre taxi rank which is near Tesco, ie at the edge of the pedestrian precinct/The Parade (you will pass the taxi rank on the way to the end of the walk).

Dining at Inverlochy Castle

‘Seasgair’ by Michel Roux Jr is our dinner service with a fresh and interactive new concept that will see all dinner guests dine together for one sitting. We have called it ‘Seasgair’, which is Gaelic for comfortable, cosy and warm. Advance bookings are essential

The Dining Experience

Each evening, dinner will start at 1900 hrs with a glass of Champagne or a custom designed cocktail. Canapes will be prepared and presented by our chefs in the Great Hall before the host welcomes guests to the dining rooms to enjoy a five-course set menu created with passion and flair and using the finest seasonal ingredients recommended to us by professional artisans. The small, local producers that neighbour us will feature prominently across the menu: some of which are not available anywhere else.

Everything will be overseen by the two Michelin starred chef Michel Roux Jr, who has taken inspiration from the castle’s history to design the experience. While the menu will change with what’s available each day, a taste of what to expect includes wild boar charcuterie made just seven miles from the castle, Highland venison wellington served to share or a platter of Scottish oysters. Each course is a new discovery of presentation and flavour, such is the magic of the experience. Wine pairings custom matched by our sommelier will be available.

The experience signals a return to how guests dined at Inverlochy Castle in days gone by, from a time when Mrs Hobbs owned the castle as her home and her cook Mary Shaw would prefer a menu each night for the family and guests to dine in the dining rooms. We very much want guests to feel like they’re being welcomed into our home for a relaxing and comfortable stay complete with the impeccable bespoke service to be expected of a five-star country house hotel.

Dining Options

Our goal is to make you feel as comfortable as if you’re visiting an old friend, and the chefs will be visible throughout the evening.

As well as individual tables in our dining room, there will also be an extra-special option to join Mary Shaw’s Table, an impeccably designed large wooden table nestled within our library. Here, you can meet and dine with other guests while you savour each dish. There’s also an option to enjoy expertly paired wines hand selected by our world-renowned sommelier to seamlessly complement each course.

Should you wish to make a reservation either on an individual table or joining our shared dining experience on The Mary Shaw Table please book directly through our website.

Dietary Requirements

As our menu is set, please do make us aware if you have any adverse allergens or dietary requirements, please make us aware prior to arrival and we’ll create you a menu that’s treated with the same respect. We would be happy to cater for your dietary needs, however, we cannot guarantee absolute separation of allergens and cannot take responsibility for any adverse reaction which may occur. If you have any dietary requirements, please make us aware prior to arrival and we’ll create you a menu that’s treated with the same respect.

Pricing

£145pp, including canapes, 5-course set menu, petit fours with tea and coffee, and a custom welcome drink created by our world-class sommelier.

Dress Code

Jacket is required for Gentlemen.

Additional points

For the dining experience to be truly memorable, it requires our kitchen’s full attention. There will be only one sitting per evening and no other dining options will be available after 1800 hrs/1830 hrs, including room service.

Fort William sits on Loch Linnhe with the majestic Ben Nevis, at 1344m Britain’s highest mountain, as its backdrop. The town takes its name from the fort that William Prince of Orange built in 1690. Fort William was successfully held by government troops during the Jacobite uprisings of 1715 and 1745. However, the surrounding area saw great turmoil. Today, such a bloody past is difficult to imagine and the town is the main centre for visitors to the Western Highlands.