Scottish highlands

– Northbound from Milngavie to Fort William –

Distance (Miles)

Days

Miles / Day

About this hike

The West Highland Way piqued my interest ever since I first heard about its existence over a decade ago. But it wasn’t until a brief trip to Scotland that the dream of this trek really sank its claws into me. After a few days visiting the Orkney Islands up on Scotland’s northern coast, I couldn’t wait to see more of the Land of the Brave in 2023.

I approached this autumn trek completely differently than my other long-distance treks. I hiked the route inn-to-inn with a baggage transfer service. I eased up on the mileage to give my body a physical break. I spend extra time savoring the scenery and accommodating for the rain that I’d inevitably encounter the first week of October.

In the end, the West Highland Way was a journey unlike anything else I’d experienced to date. Below is my daily trail journal – along with some additional random thoughts about this wild Scottish adventure.