My wife and I started planning this trip over a year ago. We had been to Ireland before and really enjoyed it, so we figured we’d probably like Scotland just as much and we were not disappointed. We picked October to make the trip as usually the weather is cool and less rainy, plus the pesky midges that are famous biting insects are just about done for the year. It was also my 60th birthday and our 20th anniversary. The West Highland Way is one of the most iconic trails to hike and is located north of Glasgow. The length is 96 miles long and starts in Milngavie ( pronounced Mill Guy) and travels north to Fort William. The trail starts out rather flat going through pastures and what they call the lowlands and eventually makes its way to the highlands. The highlands are large hills and mountains which have been described as looking like another world when hiking through them. Just think about the movie Braveheart and Lord of the Rings and you have a good picture of what it looks like. The trail also travels along Loch Lomond which is the largest loch or lake in Scotland. The trail is comprised of single track dirt trails, old military roads ( circa 1800 ‘s) and rocky mountain trails. You also hike some small country roads and larger highways which connect you to towns and keeps the trail continuous. The hike is tough with the trail along Loch Lomond being the hardest for us. Lots of ups and downs with rocks, roots, and mud. There are some pretty steep climbs such as Conic Hill and The Devils Staircase. We had trained as good as we could before we went so we made it, but not easily. It also helped that we have hiked a couple hundred mikes on the AT so we were well aquatinted with big climbs and rocky paths. We were on the trail for 8 days and stopped every night at various towns and villages to sleep each night. We stayed at a variety of small hotels and B&B’s. They were all unique in their own way with some being more upscale and others like a room at your grandmothers house. We also had some great food along the trail and really enjoyed all of the Inn Keepers and owners of the B&B’s. As usual we met some of the nicest people from all over the world who were hiking the trail just like us. We met people from England, Germany, Belgium, Poland, Netherlands, Canada, and the good ole USA. It is so interesting to see how other people live and get their view of the world. My wife calls me the “interrogator” as I tend to ask them lots of questions as we walk along the trail. Most are more than willing to answer them so I just keep asking.
All in all, we had one of the most memorable trips and the views while hiking were incredible. If any of y’all are wanting to do a trip overseas, Ireland and Scotland are great places to start. You will inter-grate seamlessly as English is the language everyone speaks and the food is plenty good enough for chaps like us. It is also very easy to travel by train or bus, and
then you can walk from there. The British pound is the currency, but you could prolly go the whole trip just using your credit card.
Enjoy the pics and I hope everyone is doing well as we head into the holidays.
All in all, we had one of the most memorable trips and the views while hiking were incredible. If any of y’all are wanting to do a trip overseas, Ireland and Scotland are great places to start. You will inter-grate seamlessly as English is the language everyone speaks and the food is plenty good enough for chaps like us. It is also very easy to travel by train or bus, and
then you can walk from there. The British pound is the currency, but you could prolly go the whole trip just using your credit card.
Enjoy the pics and I hope everyone is doing well as we head into the holidays.
