Walking in the West Highland Way

Scotland's first and best-loved long-distance path runs 96 miles from the edge of Glasgow to the foot of Ben Nevis, and it packs the whole drama of the Highlands into a single week on foot.

From the wooded shore of Loch Lomond it climbs onto wild Rannoch Moor, past the brooding entrance to Glen Coe and up the old Devil's Staircase before dropping to Fort William beneath Britain's highest mountain.

Around a hundred and twenty thousand people walk all or part of it each year, and its enduring appeal is the balance it strikes: genuinely wild, atmospheric country reached by a clear, well-made trail that any reasonably fit walker can manage.

It is the ideal introduction to multi-day walking, and a fine adventure in its own right.

Seven or eight days of steady walking on a well-defined, waymarked trail, typically fifteen to twenty miles a day, on a mix of old drove roads, forest track, military road and open moorland path.

The going is mostly straightforward but the terrain is genuinely wild in the middle sections, with few facilities across Rannoch Moor and some sustained climbs like the Devil's Staircase.

Scottish weather is the main variable — expect rain, wind and, in summer, midges — so waterproofs and good footwear are essential. Accommodation ranges from campsites and hostels to inns and B&Bs, and luggage transfer is widely available.

It is achievable for beginners with a bit of hill fitness, but the distance and the exposure demand respect.

The classic window is April to September; May and June offer long daylight and fewer midges than high summer. Walk south to north from Milngavie to Fort William to keep the best scenery ahead of you and the prevailing wind at your back.

Book accommodation well in advance for the popular stages, or camp — wild camping is permitted responsibly under Scottish access rights, though there are seasonal byelaws on parts of Loch Lomond. Break your boots in, pack proper waterproofs, midge repellent and a map even though the route is well signed.

Use a baggage-transfer service if you'd rather walk with a light daypack. Start with easier days to let your feet adjust, and check bus links for shortening stages.