scotland walking tour and vacations; walking holidays Scotland

There can be few places on in the world that can offer a walking tour in such a spectacular wild surroundings as the Western Highlands of Scotland.
The landscape is remote and rugged. Made up of a mixture of soaring mountains, gentle rivers, glassy lochs; natural forests and deep glens; all offer a spectacular backdrop for a perfect day's adventure along this magnificent trail.
The West Highland Way is the first official long-distance designated walking route in Scotland and by far the most famous of all; officially opened in 1980.
The trail is immersed with stories of a distant past as we follow this historical route from Milngavie to Fort William; a distance of 153Km/95miles.
As the trail escorts us along its way from the outskirts of Scotland's largest city (Glasgow) through the Scottish Highlands to Fort William; it takes you along old drover roads; along which highlanders herded their cattle and sheep to market in the lowlands.
Military Roads that were constructed by troops to help control the Jacobite Clans and old coach roads and disused railway tracks from more modern times. A journey through some of the best scenery that Scotland has to offer.

This is a 12-day tour but can be organised to suite your budget and time-frame. Just give us the dates and we will do the rest.

OUTLINE ITINERARY

Day 1: Glasgow to Milngavie
Pickup at Glasgow Airport and transfer to your first accommodation in Milngavie.
Milngavie; pronounced (Mill Guy) is situated approximately 16 KM-10 miles north of Glasgow and the official start of the West Highland Way.
The history of Milngavie dates back to at least 1600, when there was a mill here in a village known at the time as Millgay. The town's early growth owed much to the textile industry, and James Watt was experimenting with chlorine bleaching here by 1780s. (Evening meal on your own tonight)
Overnight in Milngavie

Day 2: Milngavie to Drymen
Distance: 19.5 km, 12 miles; Height Gain: 200Mtrs, 600Ft
A day that is a perfect introduction to the West Highland Way and the lowlands of the Scottish countryside. The trail follows a series of old railway lines, country tracks and lanes, offering you some superb scenery and your first glimpse of the Scottish Mountains. If you are lucky you may get your first glimpse of some Roe Deer and birds of prey like the Kestrel and Red Kite. Depending on what time of the year you do the tour, this section also offers you an abundance of wild flowers. (Evening meal included tonight)
Overnight in Drymen

Day 3: Drymen to Rowardennan
Distance: 24 km, 15 miles; Height Gain: 360Mtrs, 1200Ft
Today's section is broken down into two parts, the first taking you through Garadhban Forest and across the side of your first hill, "Conic Hill", which overlooks the small village of Balmaha (a perfect place for a liquid lunch!) and your first glimpse of Scotland's largest freshwater loch, "Loch Lomond".
From Balmaha the trail takes you along by the shores of Loch Lomond and into Ben Lomond National Memorial Park. (Evening meal included tonight)
Overnight in Rowardennan

Day 4: Rowardennan to Inverarnan
Distance: 22.5Km, 14 miles; Height Gain: 240Mtrs, 720Ft
Almost all of today's walk sees you travelling along the eastern shores of the loch as it traverses through a mixture of woodlands; under the steep slopes of Ben Lomond. This is probably one of the toughest days of the whole trail, but you will be truly rewarded with spectacular and stunning scenery across the loch and into the high distant mountains.
If luck is on your side today you may get a glimpse of the magnificent golden eagle. Since the early 20th century golden eagles in Scotland have recovered, having reached a low point of perhaps as few as 150 pairs. Now there are over 420 pairs and the population is stable. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/shadow/interview2.html (Evening meal on your own tonight)
Overnight in Inverarnan

Day 5: Inverarnan to Tyndrum
Distance: 21.5Km, 13.4 miles; Height Gain: 280Mtrs, 840Ft
The trail now leaves Loch Lomond on a relatively easy section that takes you north-west along by the base of Ben Glas Mountain, through Glen Folloch and onto Strath Fillan. As you travel along you will cross and re-crosses the river Folloch which is the main east-west natural divide of the Scottish Highlands.
As you pass the village of Crianlarich it is half-way on your days walk but more importantly it is half way to Fort William!
Before you get to your destination you will pass what remains of the ruins of St. Fillan's Priory. St. Fillan was an Irish Monk; active as a missionary during the 8th century and many miraculous tales of his exemplary life have being handed down through the generations. The day finishes on in the small village of Tyndrum.
(Evening meal is included tonight)
Overnight in Tyndrum

All travellers who use this wild and beautiful place will do so in peace if they tread there path lightly
(An inscription from a plaque as you approach the remains on the priory)

Day 6: Tyndrum to Inveroran
Distance: 15Km, 9miles; Height Gain: 255Mtrs, 760Ft
This is another beautiful section of the West highland Way that follows an old military road out of Tyndrum. For a short distance it takes you along by the West Highland Railway-Line that links Glasgow with Fort William. Along by the base of Beinn Odhar; past the famous Viaduct to Auch Glen and along by Beinn Dorain. Both of these mountains are a spectacular sight and if we are lucky we may get a glimpse of some Golden Eagles gracefully soaring above us We will pass a working farm not far our of Tyndrum that is famous for its herd of Highlander Cattle (Native cattle of the Scottish Highlands) Check http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/highland/ for some interesting information on the breed.
Our day finishes in Inveroran; which will be our base for the night. (Evening meal is included tonight)
Over night in Inveroran

Day 7: Inveroran to Kinlochleven
Distance: 34Km; 21.25 miles; Height Gain: 550Mtrs 1650Ft
One of the most remote sections of the trail which follows an old drover's road that skirts along the western fringe of Rannoch Moor. (I can find no words that can justify my experience on this section of the trail) One has to personally walk it to experience the peace and serenity that it has to offer. Wild red deer; black grouse and sheep roam at will here.
It offers you everything from stark countryside, lush glens; sparkling Lochs and an abundance of flora and fauna.
The trail from Inveroran follows an old drover's road that was constructed around 1750. Through the wild and barren Rannoch Moor; past Kings House Hotel where the trail enters the beautiful scenery of Glencoe and at Altnafeadh climbs steadily over the Devils Staircase. This is an old military road that rises to almost 500Mtrs; 1500Ft at its highest point before making a long descent into Kinlochleven. (Dinner is on your own tonight)
Overnight in Kinlochleven

Day 8: Kinlochleven to Fort William
Distance 24Km; 15 Miles; Height Gain; 225Mtrs; 675Ft
The final section of the West Highland Way takes you back onto the old military road; with a steady climb out of Kinlochleven; through an area of natural woodlands that every now and then offers you some splendid views over Loch Leven and back over part of your previous walk. You will pass an old ruined village called Tigh-Na-Sleubhaich and clear evidence of its once inhabitants can still be seen to the present day.
The final part of the trail takes you down into Glen Nevis; where you will have some great views of Ben Nevis; Scotland's highest mountain.
The trail finishes at the visitors centre in Fort William.
Overnight in Fort William

Day 9: Ben Nevis or Relax!
Today you have the option to take a boat tour on Loch Linnhe; http://www.activitypoint.co.uk/cgi-bin/list.cgi?r=scotland.T21(BoatTrips)&n=10
Relax and do some shopping and sightseeing in and around Fort William; or climb the highest mountain in the British Isles; Ben Nevis 1344Mtrs; 4044FT.
If you are going to take on Ben it is only a short bus ride from Fort William to the base of the mountain. Ben Nevis standing at 1344Mtrs 4032Ft; a tough walk but the rewards are tremendous.
The trail cross the river Nevis to join the Mountain Track, which takes us to the summit and back. Along the way you will have some stunning views into the valley of Glen Nevis and the surrounding mountains. Furthermore, if luck is on our side, and if we have a clear day, the views from the summit are simply breathtaking.
Distance: 16km, Height Gain: 1324m
Celebration dinner and some whiskey sampling tonight!

Day 10: Glasgow
After a hearty Scottish breakfast we bid farewell well to the Scottish Highlands and head back to Glasgow to re-join the real world once more.