Scotland Archives - Nancy East

Logistics for Hiking the West Highland Way

Mon, 23 Oct 2017 01:55:57 +0000

The West Highland Way (WHW) is a walking path that starts in Glasgow, Scotland and ends 96 miles later in Fort William, Scotland. It was a grand adventure, and I highly recommend this route as an option for families seeking an international destination that centers around hiking. My kids were 13, 11, and 10 when...

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Ben Nevis via the Carn Mor Dearg Arete Route

Sun, 20 Aug 2017 16:15:18 +0000

If you visit Fort William in Scotland, it should be considered mandatory to climb the highest mountain in the United Kingdom, Ben Nevis. Last year on her Facebook page, Liz Thomas, the previous record holder for the fastest unsupported thru hike on the Appalachian Trail, gushed about an alternative route to the “tourist trail” up...

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West Highland Way–Day 8 to the finish!

Sun, 30 Jul 2017 17:26:00 +0000

Day 8 of the West Highland Way –15.2 miles to the finish! (Kinlochleven to Fort William) We hit the trail with our eye on the prize, Fort William, the northern terminus! The day started out raining off and on with a bit of a climb in the first few miles, but we eventually begin walking...

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West Highland Way–Day 6

Tue, 25 Jul 2017 01:32:00 +0000

Day 6–12.3 miles hiked (Rowardennan to Glencoe) The day was supposed to bring some of the best scenery on the most remote section of the trail, but unfortunately it was hard to appreciate its beauty because of the weather. You really haven’t experienced rain until it comes down horizontally….or at least the wind blows...

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West Highland Day–Day 5

Sun, 23 Jul 2017 11:31:00 +0000

Day 5–14.0 miles (Crianlarich to Inveroran) We started the day under blue, sunny skies and the trail ascended into forests of fragrant evergreen trees. Every day we hiked brought us a little further into the highlands and more scenic beauty from all angles. Scottish heather would be in full bloom just a few weeks after...

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West Highland Way–Day 4

Thu, 20 Jul 2017 01:21:00 +0000

Day 4–6.9 miles hiked (Drover’s Inn to Crianlarich) We all woke up with smiles, knowing we only had to hike 6ish miles to our next town, Crianlarich, where we could hop on a train to visit the coastal town of Oban for the rest of the day. In addition, we were reaching the half way...

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West Highland Way–Day 3

Thu, 13 Jul 2017 11:46:00 +0000

Day 3–Rowardennan to Drover’s Inn (15.29 miles hiked) We woke up to forecasted rain and cloudy skies, necessitating rain gear almost as soon as we started. About a mile in, we had to make a choice between a high and low route. The high route took us on a dirt road above Loch Lomond passing...

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West Highland Way–Day 2

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 18:48:00 +0000

Day 2–15.8 miles hiked (Drymen to Rowardennan) With a long day ahead of us, we got an earlier start. It’s not difficult to do in Scotland, with the high latitude and super early sunrises (4:30 a.m.ish). The scenery was increasingly more scenic as we climbed out of town. Soon we began walking along a dirt...

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West Highland Way–Day 1

Fri, 07 Jul 2017 18:37:00 +0000

Day 1: Milngavie to Drymen (14.21 miles hiked) When our family was invited to thru hike the West Highland Way (WHW), a 96-mile trail in Scotland with one of our favorite families in all the land, we jumped at the chance! We had spent the last two summers taking backpacking adventures together and the Laursen...

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