GUIDED ’S FINEST WALKING ADVENTURE

THE WEST HIGHLAND WAY—GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY Best described as Scotland’s finest long distance walk which runs 95 miles/152 SUMMARY kms from () to Fort William. Opened some 25 years ago, the trail is well waymarked and offers a thoroughly rewarding walking adventure.

After leaving Milngavie, the trail almost immediately has that wonderful countryside feel passing through Country Park on route to the small village of . Thereafter we reach via Conic Hill which gives a splendid panorama of the great fault in particular. Next we travel through the wonderful Loch Lomond and National Park towards . , Bridge of Orchy and Loch Tulla are all passed on the way to the Kings House Hotel which lies on the remote Moor. The mountains all around you are simply stunning and our walk continues onto Kinlochleven via the “Devil’s Staircase”, before finally reaching Fort William, a bustling town situated at the head of Loch Linnhe.

Our guided groups are always made up of a wide range of ages, nationalities and interests. Whilst the way is easily navigated independently we feel our guided departures add a lively social aspect to the walk and our leaders are able to offer a local insight that you might Tour: West Highland Way otherwise miss. All our guided groups are limited to 10 walkers. Code: WSGWHW Type: Guided Walking Holiday Every holiday we offer features hand-picked overnight accommodation in high quality B&B’s, Price: See Website country inns, and guesthouses, each is unique and offers the highest levels of welcome, Single Supplement: See Website atmosphere and outstanding local cuisine, door to door baggage transfer, an information Walking Days: 7 pack as well as emergency support. Nights: 7 Start: Milngavie (Glasgow) HIGHLIGHTS Finish: Fort William Distance: 95 Miles  Walking on the banks of Loch Lomond through the Loch Lomond and Trossachs Grade: Moderate National Park  A visit to the world famous Drovers Inn at for a well deserved pint or even a wee dram  Walking through a wonderful wilderness landscape across Rannoch Moor IS IT FOR ME?  Getting to Fort William with a real sense of achievement having passed through The West Highland Way is a world-renowned some of Scotland’s finest scenery walk, bursting with glorious scenery and incredible hospitality. Doing this with a guide Why choose Macs Adventure? lets you relax and enjoy the walk, finding out Macs Adventure is a small, energetic company dedicated to delivering adventure excellence. some information about the areas you are We are passionate about delivering outstanding walking holidays where every last detail is walking through as well as building great taken care of. As active walkers with a passion for travel we understand what makes for an comraderie with your fellow walkers. unforgettable adventure. Great trails, breathtaking scenery, hand-picked accommodation and a warm welcome all backed up by outstanding customer service. WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Why Choose a Guided Walking Holiday on the West Highland Way? Accommodation: Hand-picked B&B’s, small An unforgettable weeks walking with an experienced knowledgeable guide is hard to beat. hotels, country inns and guesthouses. Each day your baggage will be collected and moved onto your next hotel so that you are free Meals: A hearty breakfast included. Lunch to walk each day with just a daypack. Our experienced guides all live and work in Scotland and dinner not included but always available and are all Mountain Leaders as well as hold a valid First Aid Certificate. Meals are eaten at accommodation or nearby. together with your guide advising you of the best options available. So from the moment you Baggage Transfer: Door-to-door baggage decide to visit Scotland and the West Highland Way you can relax and look forward to an transfer. unforgettable walking holiday with Macs Adventure. Guide: Services of a fully-qualified guide. GUIDED WEST HIGHLAND WAY SCOTLAND’S FINEST WALKING ADVENTURE

WEST HIGHLAND WAY—GUIDED DETAILED ITINERARY Code: WSGWHW DAY 3 Walking Days: 7 DAY 1 to Inverarnan—13 Miles Nights: 7 Glasgow to Drymen—12 Miles Leaving Rowardennan the valley closes in Average Daily Distance: 14 Miles We meet at 9:00 am at Milngavie train and we make our way through dense and station to sort out baggage transfer atmospheric woodland, passing Rob Roy’s DESCRIPTION arrangements, meet the crew and get the cave and spectacular waterfalls, which We use our most popular itinerary for this adventure started. Today’s route runs tumble down the steep valley sides. This is guided walk and include 7 overnight stops through the ancient earldom of Lennox one of the toughest but most rewarding one being in the famous Drovers Inn in between the Campsie fells and Blane sections of the walk. The Drovers Inn Inverarnan. water. We can make a stop at the provides the perfect location for a well- Glengoyne Distillery, for a distillery tour deserved pint at the end of a tough day. Overnight Day Route Miles and wee dram to send us on our way for the afternoon. Drymen is home to one of Drovers Inn Scotland’s oldest pubs and our very The Drovers Inn is on old inn used by the 1 Milngavie to Drymen 12 beautiful overnight stop. Highland drovers who used to drive their 2 Drymen to Overnight cattle down the side of Loch Lomond to the Rowardennan 15 The Hawthorns markets. This unique Inn oozes character 3 Rowardennan to The Hawthorns was built in 1873 by the and the mark of time can be scene in Inverarnan 13 Duke of Montrose to attract a doctor to the every crevice and on every wall. 4 Inverarnan to Tyndrum 12 village of Drymen and has been 5 Tyndrum to Kingshouse 20 extensively restored in recent years to DAY 4 6 Kingshouse to convert the 'Auld Doctor's Hoose' into a Inverarnan to Tyndrum—12 Miles 7 Kinlochleven 9 superior quality bed and breakfast After leaving Loch Lomond the valley 8 Kinlochleven to Fort establishment. opens up and we follow the attractive William 14 River Falloch for much of the way to DAY 2 Crianlarich. The second half of the day is a Total Distance 95 Drymen to Rowardennan—15 Miles gentle walk through lovely forests and As we leave Drymen we start to climb rolling farmlands. We pass the final resting towards Conic Hill, which sits astride the place of Robert the Bruce’s sword on our GRADE Great Divide that separates the highlands way into Tyndrum, our overnight stop. This holiday is graded moderate and is and lowlands of Scotland. It provides a Overnight suitable for most regular walkers. Most fantastic view over Loch Lomond, Britain’s Tyndrum Lodge Hotel walkers can expect to average about 2 largest body of fresh water covering 27sq. The Tyndrum Lodge Hotel is situated in the miles per hour so you can quickly work out miles. We descend towards and Hills and Glens of Tyndrum. The Invervey how long you can expect to walk each day. then the path hugs the shoreline through Hotel was originally built as a Church The path is generally well maintained and ancient Caledonian forest and emerges at Manse for the Tyndrum area in the late is made up of paths (some rocky) and Rowardennan, our overnight stop. 19th century and offers a warm welcome minor roads. Most walkers find the Loch Overnight to its guests today. Lomond section the hardest. Rowardennan Hotel Situated on the rugged eastern banks of NAVIGATION Loch Lomond the Rowardennan Hotel has The route is well waymarked with the breathtaking views of , Loch Thistle Symbol and other signage. Lomond and the mountains to the North. GUIDED WEST HIGHLAND WAY SCOTLAND’S FINEST WALKING ADVENTURE

DAY 5 DAY 7 HOLIDAY INFORMATION Tyndrum to Kingshouse—20Miles Kinlochleven to Fort William—14 Miles After a stunning morning of towering The final stage of the way passes through mountain scenery we reach Bridge of some very remote country as it climbs Accommodation Orchy, a tiny hamlet and our lunch stop. steadily out of Kinlochleven. Another climb One of the highlights of this tour is the Leaving the comfort of the valley behind through forestry brings us into Glen Nevis high standard of the accommodation. We we climb up onto the wide expanse of and the shadow of Ben Nevis. After a final specifically choose the hotels, inns, Rannoch Moor, a moody and exposed stretch through the beautiful Glen Nevis guesthouses and B&B’s to ensure that you landscape. Our overnight stop at you reach your destination of Fort William. enjoy every minute of your stay. All offer a Kingshouse Hotel provides great views of The end of your Scottish odyssey and time warm welcome to walkers, traditional Buachaille Etive Mor, Scotland’s most for a few beers before you check into your hospitality and delicious local food. photographed mountain. accommodation for the night. Overnight Overnight Single Rooms Kingshouse Hotel Guisachan House This walking holiday is available to solo Originally built in the 17th Century this A warm welcome awaits you at Guisachan walkers, but as all our holidays are priced hotel was used as barracks for the soldiers House, a family run private hotel offering per person based on two sharing there is a who fought for in the battle of Culloden; it bed and breakfast in Fort William. They are single supplement payable to cover the has changed a lot since then. This is situated in an elevated position only 10 additional costs we incur. If you require probably Britain’s most remote hotel minutes walk from Fort William town single rooms please note that singles may sitting on the edge of Rannoch Moor; the centre, railway station and bus stance. not be of the same standard as twins. Twin views are panoramic and stunning. room same sex rooms are also offered to DAY 8 those willing to share with another and DAY 6 Onward travel. thus avoiding the single supplement. Kingshouse to Kinlochleven—9 Miles From Kinghouse we follow an old military Accommodation Location road to Altnafeadh, which gives great We will always try and accommodate you views of the famous ‘weeping glen’ site of RECOMMENDATIONS at the locations detailed in the itinerary, the Glencoe Massacre in 1692. Then we but because of limited availability we may zigzag up the Devil’s Staircase to the Walking Direction have to accommodate you at an highpoint of the Way at 548m, which gives Walked from south to north with that good alternative location. Alternative details will stunning views towards Ben Nevis. From feel factor of walking into the Scottish be noted on your accommodation sheet. here we wind our way down into the little Highlands. town of Kinlochleven, the end to a great Meals day. Additional Nights A hearty breakfast is included each Overnight If you need accommodation the night morning while lunch and dinner are not Tigh-na-Cheo before in either Glasgow or Milngavie you included so you are free to choose from Beautifully located on the hillside this can add this at the time of booking no the available options. Your accommodation lovely B&B always provides a warm problem at all. will be more than happy to provide a welcome from its hosts Nicole and George packed lunch on request and this can be who took over the running last year and Fewer Nights booked on arrival, alternatively your guide have completely rejuvenated all the If you don’t need accommodation at the will offer details of local shops and rooms. end of your walk (normally Fort William) convenient lunch stops on the way. Dinner simply subtract £35pppn from our is normally eaten together as a group and brochure prices. We will meet you to drop taken at either your accommodation or off your luggage when you arrive at the nearby pubs and restaurants. end of the walk. GUIDED WEST HIGHLAND WAY SCOTLAND’S FINEST WALKING ADVENTURE

Baggage Transfer Excluded Financial Security Your bags will be collected from Milngavie  Travel to the start or from the finish of In compliance with the UK Package Travel, Train Station at 9am on your first day of the walk. Package Holidays and Package Tours walking and thereafter from your Regulations 1992 an insurance policy has  Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks. accommodation each day and moved onto been arranged with IGI Insurance your overnight accommodation. We ask  Travel Insurance. Company Ltd to protect customers’ you to limit your luggage to one bag of up  Personal Equipment. prepayments paid in respect of: to 15kg per person.  Taxi transfers or public transport should  non-flight inclusive packages you need to skip a stage. commencing and returning to the UK Equipment  the ground handling aspects of packages Your information pack has a detailed where the customer is responsible for equipment list which includes standard TRAVEL INFORMATION arranging travel to the destination walking gear such as good walking boots offered in this literature (subject to the or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes terms of the insurance policy), for: and a day pack. Getting to/from Glasgow (Milngavie)  a refund of such prepayments if Glasgow has excellent transport links by customers have not yet travelled Dogs road, rail and air. Milngavie lies 5 miles Unfortunately we are unable to north west of the city and can be easily  making arrangements to enable the accommodate walkers with dogs as many reached in 30 minutes by train or 15 holiday to continue if customers have of the accommodation providers do not minutes by taxi. already travelled or in the unlikely event accept pets. of our financial failure. Getting to/from Fort William Availability The 4 hour train journey from Fort William Travel Insurance The West Highland Way is very popular so to Glasgow is spectacular and a great way We strongly recommend taking out travel it is best to book as far in advance as you to end your adventure. A Regular bus insurance to cover cancellation or are able to. service also runs to Glasgow (3 hours). curtailment of your holiday. We do not sell Travel Insurance, but for UK residents would recommend the services of Sports PRICE Cover Direct whose Venture Guard Product is suitable for our walking holidays. They can be contacted as follows. Please see our Website for up to date Phone: +44845 120 6400 prices for this trip. Web: www.sportscoverdirect.com

Included Recommended Reading  7 Nights bed and breakfast Walking in Scotland - Lonely Planet accommodation in ensuite rooms Rob Roy by Sir Walter Scott - Everyman wherever possible.  Door to door baggage transfer.  A detailed info pack.  Emergency telephone support from our office in the event of a problem.  Experienced mountain guide. GUIDED WEST HIGHLAND WAY SCOTLAND’S FINEST WALKING ADVENTURE

Responsible Tourism HOW TO BOOK BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE We operate adventures in some of the Macs Adventure has arranged an insurance most spectacular wilderness areas in Once you have read all the information in policy with IGI Insurance Company Ltd to Europe and try to operate in an this factsheet or our website and decided ensure that all monies you pay for a trip environmentally aware and sustainable on your preferred itinerary, visit our are fully protected. manner. We do this by: website or give us a call to confirm Macs Adventure has been operating since  Operating walking and biking adventures availability. You can then book by any of 2003 and operates according to the which are a low impact form of the following methods: highest professional standards and the sustainable tourism.  Book Securely Online: Book Securely Working with VisitScotland Code of Conduct.  Encourage the use of public transport for Online: www.macsadventure.com travel to or from our adventures by  Telephone: +44 (0) 141 530 8886 supplying detailed information on the  Fax/Post: Download or request a services available. booking form and post it to Macs  We operate small group adventures Adventure, Unit 24A, 1103 Argyle which minimize the impact on the Street, Glasgow, G3 8ND, UK or fax it to environment and other users. +44 (0) 845 527 5688  We support local business by buying local Please don’t hesitate to contact us by and using locally owned accommodation phone on +44 (0) 845 527 7871 or email: and services. [email protected] if you have any queries and one of our expert customer We encourage the use of Carbon Offsetting service team will be happy to help. as travel does have a hidden cost. Air Travel produces an inordinate amount of Carbon Dioxide emissions which contribute TESTIMONIALS to climate change. Help to minimise the impact of your journey by offsetting your “ We were really pleased with all the carbon emissions. Visit The Carbon Neutral organisation, information pack, guide Company for further details. Web: book and in particular, delighted with www.carbonneutral.com the accommodation booked for us which suited us perfectly. Our luggage was always there when we arrived and a welcome sight when tired and perhaps rather wet. This is the first time I have done a long distance walk with the support of a company and luggage carrier and I would recommend Macs Adventure to others who I know are planning a similar trip. So very many thanks!” Alison Johnston (UK)

“Just wanted to say, what an amazing walk and holiday we all had. Still speechless really. Absolutely amazing. Thanks for all the information and assistance.” Pauline Roenisch, London