Hopson - Self Guided West Highland Way

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.

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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 Clachan Inn which will now be on your left. Continue a short distance up hill and you will see the red sandstone of Ashbank B&B on your left hand side. Continue for a short distance past Ashbank straight up the hill and you will reach Angel cottage on the right hand side of Old Gartmore Road.

Angel Cottage is a lovely b&b and a warm welcome will be given by your host Arwen. Please note that Angel Cottage is non-smoking throughout. A laundry service is not on offer but drying facilities are available for no extra charge. Guests will be welcomed any time between 1600 hrs & 1800 hrs (Early check in is not available but a later check in is possible by arrangement). However, note that there are many opportunities in the village for a refreshment if you arrive early. There is a choice of establishments in the village for an evening meal, all within close proximity (pre-booking is recommended). Please note that packed lunches are not provided since there are ample supplies available locally as well as a café, shop and bar at Balmaha. Wifi available.

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. The hotel has received a three star grading from VisitScotland and please note that there is a non smoking policy throughout. Laundry facilities are not available, however drying facilities are. The hotel has asked us to stress that rooms will only be ready from 1500 hrs (1600 for lodges) 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. 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. Wifi available though due to the location can sometimes be temperamental.

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 Beinglas Farm which is directly on the Way. Take a left off the Way onto a track, pass the farm and cross the bridge that leads to the main (A82) road. On reaching the A82 turn left and follow a path by the side of the road and continue until you arrive at the Drovers Inn a short distance on the left hand side of the road.

The Drovers Lodge is part of the Drovers Inn situated in the centre of the tiny village of Inverarnan. The Lodge & the Inn both operate a non-smoking policy. Laundry and drying facilities are not available. Rooms will be available for guests from 1500 hrs onwards although the Drovers Inn is open all day. An evening meal is available at either the Drovers Inn or at Beinglas Farm, a short distance south on the West Highland Way (please note that the Drovers do not take advance bookings for evening meals (unless for groups of ten or over. Priority is given to guests over non residents). Packed lunches are available, please order upon arrival. Wifi available in public areas of the Drovers Inn only. Please check-in at the Drovers Inn and you if staying in the Lodge you will be directed to the Drovers Lodge which is directly across the road from the Drovers Inn.

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.

Clifton Cottage is easy to find since it is situated directly on the West Highland Way just as the Way loops around to the north end of the village (ie before you reach the main A82 road and Brodies Mini Market). However, if you leave the Way earlier and walk through the main street of the village then make your way to the Green Welly Stop. With the Green Welly Stop on your right hand side, cross the stone bridge and immediately turn left and continue down the lane until your reach Clifton Cottage half way down on the right hand side.

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. It has received a four star Inn grading from VisitScotland and operates a non smoking policy. A laundry service is not 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. Wifi available.

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. Please note that there is a non smoking policy throughout. Laundry is coin operated and available in the bunkhouse, all other areas of hotel cashless preferred. A drying room is available for drying wet outdoor gear. 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. Wifi available.

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.

On approaching Kinlochleven you will arrive at Wades Road. Continue all of the way along Wades Road until you reach the entrance to the Grey Mare’s Waterfall on the right-hand side and immediately afterwards you will see a turning to the left for Kearan Road. Turn left onto Kearan Road, stay on the pavement on the right-hand side and continue to the end of the road when you will reach a T-junction. Turn right onto the B863 and walk for a very short distance until you reach a turning for Lochaber Crescent on the right. Turn right into Lochaber Crescent and you will soon see Little Yoke clearly signposted on the right-hand side of the Crescent.

Little Yoke is ideally situated in Kinlochleven close to all amenities and a warm and friendly welcome will be given by your host Jo. Please note that there is a non-smoking policy throughout. Drying facilities are available but a laundry service is not on offer. Guests will be welcomed any time after 1530 hrs. However, there are plenty of places locally to have a refreshment and relax if you arrive earlier or please adjust your starting time accordingly. There is a choice of establishments in the village for an evening meal (advance booking highly recommended). Packed lunches can be arranged, or there are supplies available locally and you are welcome to store these in the fridge overnight. Most people tend to use the sandwich shop Leven Bites or the Coop. Wifi available.

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.

On arrival to Fort William train station, you then head through the town centre. Head under the underpass and walk through the pedestrian precinct. To reach Fassfern continue to the end of the High Street and you will be at a roundabout. Take the second exit off the roundabout and continue along Achintore Road for a short distance until you reach Fassfern clearly signposted on the left hand side of the road.

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.