This is the West Highland Way

Our West Highland Way options

Option One

 Walk to Tyndrum and stay with us for one night. You will have access to all our standard facilities and a free lift to and from the village.

Option Two

 Stay with us for between 2 and 5 nights. We do pickups from Inverarnan to Kingshouse. This allows you to settle in one place for a wee while and just enjoy the walk.

Option Three

 Our West Highland Way Experience. Stay with us for the duration of your walk and let us do all the other work. See here for more information.

At Strathfillan House the WHW walker is our most frequent visitor so it seems reasonable to bend our overnight facilities in the direction of the walker. Anything from sock washing to wireless internet is available to you. We are keen outdoorerers ourselves and have a breadth of experience in what makes a good stop offpoint for someone enjoying the great outdoors. Here's a list of most of the things available to you:

  1. Advise on your weeks walking itinary
  2. Will accept bags from transfer company
  3. Will pick you up from village
  4. Muddy kit rinse
  5. Drying room for wet kit
  6. Newspaper for boots
  7. Laundry facilities for smellies inc drying
  8. Lift to the pub
  9. Pickup or taxi order for return
  10. Internet access
  11. Hot flash fillup
  12. Packed lunch
  13. Ensure bags leave for your next night
  14. *multiple night stays with vehicle support*


General West Highland Way Information


The long distance walk - The West Highland Way - was officially opened in 1980 by TV and Radio presenter Jimmy MacGregor, himself a keen walker. Using many ancient roads, including drover's roads, military roads and old coaching roads it winds its way from just North of Scotland's largest city ( Glasgow ) to the west Coast town of Fort William. In starting from the Milngavie end the walker will move from the developed lowlands through ever increasingly wild scenery to the majesty that is the Highlands in all their splendour. It is 'normal' to walk from south to north if for no other reason than to save having to say hello to 10,000 people every day.

The vast majority of walkers will aim to finish the walk in 7 or 8 days, we have however had some guests take 10 days and others attempting 4. If you feel really fit try the race held every June and try to better 15 and a half hours without stopping for chips at the Real Food Cafe. If however you see the Way as a holiday then you will most likely be aiming in the 6 - 8 day region. This allows for a far more relaxed approach and time to talk to like minded souls along the way.

By far the most popular month is May. Nature is just wakening after what was probably a dark and wet winter. This, married with the fact that the midges aren't out yet lends itself to being one of the best times of year for anything outdoor in Scotland. Having said that the end of September and the beginning of October can be pretty good too. Advanced booking is essential and preferably before Christmas if a hassle free booking experience is to be had.

There are 13 potential overnight stops on the Way ( unless you are camping ) these are in south to north order:
Milngavie ( 0 miles ); Drymen (11); Balmaha (21); Rowardenan (27); Inversnaid (34); Inverarnan (40); Crianlarich (47); Tyndrum (54); Bridge of Orchy (60); Inveroran (64); Kingshouse (74); Kinlochleven (83) and Forth William (95.5).

Or as miles between villages:
Milngavie ( 11 miles to ) Drymen (10) Balmaha (6) Rowardenan (7) Inversnaid (6) Inverarnan (7) Crianlarich (5) Tyndrum (7) Bridge of Orchy (4) Inveroran (10) Kingshouse (9) Kinlochleven (14) and Forth William.

As can be seen from these lists the last day will be 14 miles, there is nothing between Kinlochleven and Fort William except hills.

The most popular 7 day trip involves stops at: Drymen; Rowardenan; Inverarnan; Tyndrum; Kingshouse; Kinlochleven then Forth William. The stretch between Tyndrum and Kingshouse is the best bit to do the big miles day, as the path is good and the gradient kind and the scenery is some of the best in Scotland.

If 8 days are available then split the Tyndrum to Kingshouse day at Inveroran to give two 10 mile days.

The hardest part of the walk is thought by most to be the top end of Loch Lomond, north of Rowardenan as the path is uneven and in parts covered in tree roots. One particularly precarious section where you had to sidle along a narrow ledge above the loch now has a fancy bridge.

The highest point of the WHW is the top of the Devil's Staircase at 597m and the lowest is where you head next... Kinlochleven at sea level.

Here's an interesting fact, the WHW is actually downhill from Milngavie (45m asl)to Fort William (5m asl). So, in all its not as intimidating as you might at first think:-)

Another point of interest is the location of cash machines along the route. As far as I am aware you will find one at Milngavie, Drymen, Crianlarich, Tyndrum, Kinlochleven, and Fort William. This is a great boon for the Way as just a few years again there were none.