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A Walk to the Foot of Ben Nevis
  This
tour takes us into the magnificent countryside of the Highlands of
Scotland following most of Scotland’s famous footpath on its
course from the south of Loch Lomond to Fort William and Ben Nevis,
linking Britain’s largest loch (lake) with its highest mountain.
The route is a step back into history, most of the day stages follow
the famous droving and military roads that linked the highlands to
the lowlands. Many of the hotels have originated from the droving
inns that have operated for centuries and have been described in the
travel anecdotes of many famous writers including Wordsworths and
Dr. Johnson.
From the lowland
patchwork quilt of fields, the path threads its way along the eastern
shore of Loch Lomond shaded by the beech and oak forest, past islands
known to Robert the Bruce as a source of yew wood for his archers’ bows.
Soon the wild ramparts of Ben Lomond (973m) rise from the water and the
‘Way’ leaves the loch and passes through moor and forest, past
cascades and torrents to Crianlarich, dominated by Ben More. This is the
landscape of Rob Roy, including the lands he used to raid, and the inns
where he collected blackmail. We walk along glacial valleys, past the
Bridge of Orchy and over to Loch Tulla with its remnant Caledonian Pine
forest, then into the heathery wastes of Rannoch Moor to the shelter of
the Kings House Inn - Scotland’s oldest and most remote licensed inn. We
leave the moor by the ‘Devil’s Staircase’ with fantastic views back
to the peak of Buachaille Etive Mor, which guards the entrance to Glencoe.
The Way drops down to Kinlochleven at the head of Loch Leven and sea
level. The final stage is over the Lairigmor pass and down through
forests, into the deep glaciated valley of Glen Nevis at the foot of Ben
Nevis (1342m).
Please note, that
to fit into the time available our walk misses the first official day from
Milngavie to Drymen, and you are also transferred along a section of the
route from Ardlui to Crainlarich. You can opt to walk this part of the
route but it will make a 22 mile day.
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Accommodation
7
nights/8 days - The first night is spent in Drymen
at a very comfortable guesthouse. Our Loch Lomond hotel is
close to the waters edge, offering expansive views towards Ben
Lomond. At Ardlui we use a comfortable hotel which is located
on the edge of the northernmost shores of Loch Lomand. Our hotel at Loch
Tulla is well off the main road and the setting reminds one of
its original use as a cattle drover’s inn. There is a small
restaurant offering good quality home cooking. Our next hotel is in
the wilds of Rannoch Moor near the entrance to Glencoe. The
rooms are fairly basic, but the bar is a very cosy place to be as it
was in 1745 when it was used after the Battle of Culloden. At Kinlochleven,
our guesthouse offers a warm welcome. The West Highland Way finishes
near our final guesthouse at Nevis Bridge, just outside Fort
William.
Sherpa
Notes
Waymarks
This is a well signposted National Trail, relatively easy.
Accommodation and Meals
On a bed and breakfast basis, in comfortable country inns and hotels. Ensuite facilities are generally available for each night’s accommodation, except night 4.
Start and End of Tour
The nearest major city to the start and finish of the trek is Glasgow, which has two international airports, Prestwick (45 mins to Glasgow Central by train) and Glasgow (20 mins to Glasgow by bus). Then take the train to Balloch, then bus to Drymen. From London take the train from London Euston to Glasgow Central (5 1/2 hours). Then train to Balloch, and take the bus or taxi to
Drymen.
After breakfast on day 8. Short walk or taxi ride to Fort William station. Train to Glasgow approx. 3 hours 40 mins, then taxi/walk to Glasgow Central Station and, as above, to Prestwick or Glasgow airports. For trains to London there is a direct overnight sleeper service from Fort William to London via Glasgow (not Saturday night).
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