Through Gaelic lands along the West Highland Way

Intermediate. Between 4 and 6/7 hours of walking per day, on trails with little technical difficulty. Most of the route follows trails, forest tracks or minor roads. There are substantial ascents and descents. You should enjoy walking and be in good physical condition.

You carry only a small backpack with your belongings for the day and your picnic lunch. Your luggage will be waiting for you at your accommodation each evening. Please limit your luggage to 20 kg per person.

From 2 people.

8 days / 7 nights or 9 days / 8 nights

From April to October.

You will receive a comprehensive travel pack, including a detailed map, a list of accommodation and vouchers, among other items. Depending on the arrangements, you will receive your pack before departure or collect it at your first accommodation. This trip is self-guided.

Accommodation

Comfortable accommodation in B&Bs and guesthouses, with 2 nights (or 3 nights on the 9-day version) in small youth hostels with a comfort rating of 2* to 3*, in rooms for two people or private dormitories (shared bathroom) for small groups.

During the high season, from May to September, demand for the West Highland Way is high and accommodation is limited. Depending on availability, we may be unable to book accommodation at the planned location. We will let you know before confirming your booking.

Meals

Breakfast is included. Lunch and dinner are not included. Please let us know about any food allergies or special dietary requirements when booking; we will do our best to adapt your meals.

Start

On Day 1 at your hotel in Milngavie.

End

On Day 8 or Day 9 after breakfast at your hotel in Fort William.

Flights

Flights are not included in the price, but we can offer flights with scheduled airlines. Glasgow Airport is the closest airport to the starting point of the trip. There are many flights to Glasgow.

Outbound journey
From Glasgow Airport: take the 500 shuttle bus from the airport to Queen Street railway station (approximately 25 minutes, £ 11): www.glasgowairport.com/to-and-from/bus/.
Once at the station, take a direct train to Milngavie (approximately 25 minutes, £ 4 to 7): www.scotrail.co.uk/.

Return journey
The easiest option is to take a direct bus from Fort William to Glasgow Airport or a direct train to Glasgow Queen Street railway station (approximately 4 hours, around £ 48 — we recommend the train for its stunning scenery!).

Bus: direct service (no. 915) from Fort William Bus Station to Glasgow Airport (approximately 3 hours, £ 28 to 65).
Website to plan your bus journeys: www.traveline.info
Website to plan your train journeys: www.scotrail.co.uk

A number of our trips offer opportunities to swim along the route or at the end of the day. It would be a shame to miss out. However, we emphasise that you alone must decide whether it is appropriate to swim; any swimming is therefore your own responsibility and at your own risk.

Member of Agir pour un Tourisme Responsable (ATR)

Since 2012, Grand Angle has been a member of ATR, the leading association for more responsible tourism. We design our trips – on foot, by bike and on snow – to invite everyone to discover the world in a different way: with curiosity, respect and kindness.

As a member of the board of directors since 2018, we actively help the sector develop more meaningful practices. In practical terms, we focus on:

• Transparency in our practices and pricing
• Respect for our partners and local communities
• Protecting the environment on every trip

We also share the values of the Traveller’s Ethical Charter, which encourages everyone to take simple steps to protect the places they visit and foster rewarding encounters.

Travelife Partner

Since 2025, Grand Angle has been recognised as a Travelife Partner, an international label that certifies our responsible practices in environmental protection, ethics and sustainable management, both within our company and in our work with partners and the organisation of our trips.

This label, the second level of a demanding international certification programme, recognises our practical efforts towards responsible tourism. We are actively working towards the next level, Travelife Certified, in line with our sustainability policy

For hiking

• Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support, a sturdy heel counter and soles with good tread
• Comfortable hiking socks
• A fleece
• Comfortable walking trousers (quick-drying technical fabric)
• Shorts, T-shirts and technical underwear (quick-drying fabric)
• A long-sleeved shirt (quick-drying technical fabric)
• Walking poles (telescopic), very important for making walking easier

Note: synthetic technical clothing performs very well. New merino wool clothing is also available; it performs very well, is comfortable to wear and has the advantage of resisting sweat odours! (Brands include Icebreaker, Ruka, etc.).
As a general rule, avoid cotton, which makes you cold when wet.

For your picnic lunch

• A plastic bowl, container or plate
• Cutlery (spoon, fork, knife)
• A water bottle with a minimum capacity of 1,5 to 2 litres (required)

Protection from sun and rain

• Sunscreen (high protection) and sunglasses
• A hat, cap or bucket hat
• A rain poncho or a Gore-Tex jacket, and optionally Gore-Tex trousers

After the day’s activities

• A pair of running-style trainers for the evening
• A change of clothes and underwear
• A toiletry bag and a small towel
• Swimwear
• A small first-aid kit: personal medication, Elastoplast, Biogaze or “2nd skin”, gauze, disinfectant, seasickness medication, arnica pellets and aspirin for minor aches and injuries … (quite a list! But rest assured, the first-aid kit often comes back untouched after your week of walking)

Please note that this list should be adapted to the season.
The Grand Angle team is here to help your trip run smoothly, so please do not hesitate to contact us: we will do everything we can to make your stay a success.

• A small, comfortable 40 to 50 L backpack with a hip belt to carry your personal belongings and picnic lunch during the day
• One bag for luggage transfers: a backpack, a travel bag in good condition or a suitcase that is not too bulky. One bag per person, with a maximum weight of 20 kg.

Country: United Kingdom
Constituent nation: Scotland
Capital: Edinburgh
Population: 5295000 inhabitants

Since 31 January 2020, the United Kingdom has no longer been part of the European Union.
European travellers must have a valid passport to enter the United Kingdom.

Since 2 April 2025, an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) has been mandatory for European travellers wishing to visit Great Britain. Further information is available on the UK ETA website.

Important: identity and travel documents that have been reported lost or stolen are systematically confiscated by the British border authorities (Border Force). You must not attempt to travel between France and the United Kingdom with a travel document that has been reported lost or stolen (and therefore invalidated).

Bring your European Health Insurance Card, which you should request from your health insurance provider at least 15 days before departure.

Consulate General of France
Lothian Chambers,
W Parliament Square,
Edinburgh EH11RN, United Kingdom
Tel: +441312856020

Country calling code: + 44.

Edinburgh is one hour behind Paris: when it is 10:00 in Paris, it is 09:00 in Edinburgh.

English, Gaelic, Scottish and Scots.

Pound sterling £1 = 1,2 € (as of 07/11/2024).

A few words about Scotland

Scotland, a land of legends… While ghosts and the Loch Ness Monster still attract a few curious visitors, most travellers seek its subtle blend of rugged, wild nature, rich history and distinctive culture.

Scotland, a land of mist… Lovers of heather-covered moorland and romantic lochs, cliffs and waterfalls will return feeling fulfilled, especially if they venture into the north-west of the country to explore the Highlands.

This region is among the best preserved in Europe: fewer than 10 inhabitants per square kilometre! There are far more sheep, in fact… and a few unusual cows with long hair and unruly fringes (Highland cattle), as well as countless seals and birds inhabiting the many islands.

As for the Scots, you will find them warm and welcoming, much like the atmosphere often found in their pubs. Their cooking also offers some pleasant surprises, such as haggis, the famous stuffed sheep’s stomach, viewed with apprehension back home yet voted “Scotland’s best dish”.

Ultimately, the only potential enemy for backpackers in Scotland is the rain. So much so that Scots claim to have invented the kilt to avoid getting the bottoms of their trousers wet! Rest assured: the weather changes quickly, and the landscapes vie with one another in beauty between showers…

Source

A word about midges

Midges are tiny biting flies commonly found in Scotland and the Highlands. Similar to mosquito bites, midge bites are bothersome and often uncomfortable, but not painful – they generally cause small red bumps that can be irritating. Once you have been bitten, the best way to relieve the irritation is to apply an antihistamine cream.

Here are a few tips to protect yourself from midges:

1. Wear long sleeves and trousers in light colours
2. Avoid going out at sunrise and sunset
3. Use a midge repellent lotion, making sure to buy it in Scotland
4. The wind is your friend!
5. Check the midge forecast
6. Visit museums, distilleries and castles on dull, damp days.
7. Choose to travel between October and May

We recommend that you do not let midges spoil your trip to Scotland. If you are hiking or taking part in an outdoor activity, rest assured that there is a good chance you will not notice them. Most of the time, it is too windy for them. If they become a nuisance, bring insect repellent, wear a mosquito head net and enjoy yourself!