The guide to help you along The West Highland Way THE OFFICIAL 2016 WEST HIGHLAND WAY POCKET COMPANION WHERE TO STAY BAGGAGE CARRIERS WATERBUS SERVICE OUTDOOR ACCESS CODE Class Ticket type STD SINGLE From 2016 VIA DRYMEN >BALMAHA >ROWARDENNAN MILNGAVIE * >INVERSNAID >INVERARNAN >CRIANLARICH To >TYNDRUM >BRIDGE OF ORCHY >INVERORAN FORT WILLIAM >KINGSHOUSE >KINLOCHLEVEN LEABHAR-IÙIL OIFIGEIL SLIGHE NA GÀIDHEALTACHD AN IAR 2016 ROUTE MAP Fort William 96 miles Ben Nevis Onich Ballachulish Kinlochleven 81 miles Kingshouse 72 miles White Corrie Ski Area E N I L Y Please do not A W navigate using this IL A map, it is intended for R LAND IGH illustration purposes T H ES Inveroran 62 miles only. Ensure that you W are equipped with Bridge of Orchy 60 miles the appropriate map. Tyndrum 53 miles Crianlarich 47 miles Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Inverarnan 41 miles boundary Ardlui 38 miles Inversnaid 34 miles Tarbet 30 miles Ben Lomond Rowardennan 27 miles Luss 22 miles Loch Balmaha 20 miles Lomond Milton of Buchanan Drymen 12 miles Balloch Glengoyne Distillery Carbeth Milngavie START © Crown Copyright and database right 2016. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100031883 THE WEST HIGHLAND WAY SLIGHE NA GÀIDHEALTACHD AN IAR S C O T L A N D ’ S P R E M I E R LONG DISTANCE ROUTE Welcome to the 2016 Pocket Companion for the West Highland Way. This booklet aims to help you make the most of your experience by providing essential information about the route, accommodation, bag carrying services, transport, and food and drink. The West Highland Way links Milngavie to Fort William – a distance of 154km (96 miles) - from the northern outskirts of Glasgow, through Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park to the foot of Ben Nevis at Fort William. The route can be walked continuously, completed in sections, or used as a base accessing paths linked to the Way during shorter breaks. The Route passes through Mugdock Country Park, follows the shores of Loch Lomond, passing Ben Lomond, through Glen Falloch and Strathfillan, crossing Rannoch Moor, past Buachaille Etive Mor to the head of Glencoe, climbing the Devil’s Staircase, descending to sea level to cross the River Leven at the head of Loch Leven before entering Lairigmor and Glen Nevis. The terrain ranges from lowland moors, dense woodland and rolling hills, to high mountainous regions in the Scottish Highlands. These environments provide habitats for a diverse range of wildlife species, both flora and fauna. GEOLOGY The hard rock of the north meets the younger sandstone and conglomerates of the south and is known as the Highland Boundary Fault line. The division between the highlands and lowlands is best seen from Conic Hill. HISTORIC ROUTES The route echoes with the stories of the past including Rob Roy MacGregor as it follows historic routes - making use of drove roads, military roads built by troops to help control the Jacobite Clans, old coaching roads and disused railway lines. AMAZING WILDLIFE Red deer on the hill, golden eagles soaring over the tops and the elusive feral goats left behind by long-gone communities - watch carefully for these and much more Scottish wildlife to be seen along your Way. ESSENTIAL INFORMATION The West Highland Way is way marked along its length using the official Long Distance Route ‘thistle’ symbol. Walkers planning to tackle the whole route are strongly recommended to walk northwards from Milngavie to Fort William.The southern section provides a ‘warm up’ for the more strenuous northern stages. For those who intend completing the route in sections over a period of time you can use the transport information section to help plan the trips. Sections at the southern end of the Way are suitable for inexperienced walkers and family groups. North of Rowardennan on Loch Lomond side the Way enters more remote country with little shelter, often rough and muddy path conditions which are more challenging. Rowardennan is the furthest north private vehicles can access the east side of Loch Lomond from the south. Road access to Inversnaid is from the east, via Aberfoyle. The next point northwards for vehicle access is Inverarnan. The time taken to complete the whole route will depend upon your fitness and how much you wish to enjoy the scenery and villages you walk through. The whole Way can be completed in a week averaging around 21km (13 miles) a day. Remember, the West Highland Way is a long hill walking expedition and walkers should be equipped accordingly. Good quality footwear is essential, as is waterproof and windproof clothing. The Weather on the Way can change rapidly so be prepared. Distances- Milngavie to Carbeth 5 miles (8 kms) / 3 - 4 hours Carbeth to Drymen 7 miles (11.2 kms) / 3 - 4 hours Drymen to Balmaha 8 miles (12.8 km) / 4 - 5 hours Balmaha to Rowardennan 7 miles (11.2 km) / 3 - 4 hours Rowardennan to Inversnaid 7 miles (11.2 km) / 4 - 5 hours Inversnaid to Inverarnan 7 miles (11.2 km) / 4 - 5 hours Inverarnan to Crianlarich 6 miles (9.6 km) / 3 - 4 hours Crianlarich to Tyndrum 6 miles (9.6 km) / 3 - 4 hours Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy 7 miles (11.2 km) / 3 - 4 hours Bridge of Orchy to Inveroran 2 miles (3.2 km) / 1 - 2 hours Inveroran to Kingshouse 10 miles (16 km) / 4 - 5 hours Kingshouse to Kinlochleven 9 miles (14.4 km) / 4 - 5 hours Kinlochleven to Fort William 16 miles (24 km) / 7 - 8 hours Distances and times are for guidance More detailed route section information at: www.west-highland-way.co.uk TRANSPORT With a little planning train, buses, ferry, Waterbus and taxis can deliver and pick you up from your start and finish points. Milngavie and Fort William are both accessible by bus and rail. The West Highland Railway Line also provides access to Ardlui, Crianlarich, Tyndrum, Bridge of Orchy and Fort William. City Link operates a bus service from Glasgow and Fort William, stopping at Ardlui ,Inverarnan, Crianlarich, Tyndrum and White Corries (road end). The Waterbus service connects the east shore of Loch Lomond with the west shore. The West Highland Way experience is best enjoyed as one continuous journey. The next best thing is to walk sections over a period of time and then in the future return to complete another section or revisit favourite part of the route for a short break. Even a motoring holiday in Scotland can allow the opportunity to walk parts of this world famous route. TRAINS National Rail Enquiries 0845 748 4950, www.scotrail.co.uk or www.traveline.info Local Glasgow Queen Street - Milngavie- local. Long Distance West Highland Line- Glasgow Queen Street - Fort William, calling at Tarbet, Ardlui, Crianlarich, Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy. BUSES Local Glasgow to Milngavie First Bus – 0870 608 2608 Milngavie to Drymen First Scotland East – 0870 872 7271 Balloch to Balmaha McGills Bus Service – 0800 515651 Fort William to Kinlochleven Stagecoach – 01397 702373 Long Distance (booking recommended) Glasgow (Buchanan Street Bus Station) to Fort William calling at Luss, Tarbet, Inveruglas, Inverarnan, Crianlarich, Tyndrum, Bridge of Orchy and White Corries/Glencoe. Scottish Citylink - 0870 550 5050 TAXIS - Licensed Service Operators Using the recommended licensed taxi services can be more economical in time and cost. Pick up can be arranged from Glasgow Airport, Glasgow and Fort William and at many locations along the route. Drymen Taxi Service 01360 660077 Jamie’s Taxi Service 01397 701778 www.west-highland-way.co.uk WATERBUS Easter to end of October Waterbus services on Loch Lomond allow run from Easter until the end of October. These services allow access to and from the West Highland Way for short breaks or if accommodation in Balmaha, Rowerdennan and Inversnaid is not available. The Ardleish to Ardlui Waterbus links the east shore with the Ardlui Hotel/ Ardlui railway station and Scottish Citylink coaches. There is a morning and afternoon scheduled service and on demand at off peak times. Times and services subject to change, check for up to date information: Cruise Loch Lomond tel: 01301 702356 Luss, Tarbet, Inveruglas, www.cruiselochlomond.co.uk/ferries/ Inversnaid & Rowardennan. Sweeney’s Cruises tel: 01389 752376 Balmaha and Luss. www.sweeneyscruises.com Ardlui Hotel tel: 01301 704 243/269 Cabins, Caravans www.ardlui.com and campsite - Pier at Ardlui & Ardleish © Crown Copyright and database right 2016. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100031883 BANKS & CASHPOINTS Milngavie Bank of Scotland 2 Station Road Clydesdale Bank 27 Douglas Street, Lloyds TSB 38 Station Road Morning, Noon & Night 1 South Mains Road Royal Bank of Scotland 24 Douglas Street Tesco 7 Gavins Mill Road Drymen The Spar Store Stirling Road, Drymen The Post Office 15 Main Street, Drymen Crianlarich Crianlarich Store and Post Office Station Road Tyndrum Green Welly Stop A82, FK20 8RY Kinlochleven Post Office Leven Road Fort William Bank of Scotland 62 High Street Clydesdale Bank 58 High Street Lloyds TSB 6 Tweeddale Building, High Street Royal Bank of Scotland 6 High Street PUBLICATIONS Publications, to help you plan and make your walk more enjoyable, are available from www.whwshop.com All profits from the online shop are used to improve the West Highland Way. GUIDEBOOKS • The West Highland Way: Official Guide, £16.99 • The West Highland Way, Rucksack Readers, £10.99 • West Highland Way, trailblazer £9.99 MAPS • The West Highland Way. Footprint map £6.95 • The West Highland Way. Harvey Maps, £9.95 • Ordnance Survey Maps, Path Finder, Explorer and Landranger versions, various prices WHW FOOTPRINT MAP - £6.95 The waterproof Footprint map of the West Highland Way is a complete guide containing essential information that walkers need.