Global Adventure - Trek the Scottish Highlands via the West Highland Way

Itinerary Highlights: This adventure offers intense physical challenge and an opportunity to soak in a visual feast of moors (grasslands/shrublands), lochs (lakes), allts (streams), glens (valleys), bealachs (passes), and Munros (mountains higher than 3000’) as we trek from Scotland’s gentle Lowlands to its magnificent Highlands via the Slighe na Gàidhealtachd an Iar (West Highland Way).

After 2 nights in Milngavie for exploring, waiting for any late luggage, and enjoying a group welcome dinner, we’ll begin our trek from the center of Milngavie.  Leaving the hustle and bustle of metropolitan Glasgow behind, we’ll soon be surrounded by fertile, pastoral landscapes as we trek along quiet country lanes, farmland, and the remnants of an old railway.

We’ll start Day 2 on a path sandwiched between hedgerows, with open pastures and the dark expanse of Garadhban Forest ahead.  Weaving our way through the forest, we’ll soon find ourselves ascending the shoulder of Conic Hill and then descending to the shores of Loch Lomond.

Day 3 will be our first high-route day, as we leave the traditional route to ascend Scotland’s southern-most Munro: Ben Lomond.  After reaching the craggy summit, we’ll return to the shores of Loch Lomond via Ptarmigan Ridge or an off-trail traverse over Cruinn a’ Bheinn.

We’ll hug the Loch Lomond shoreline on a short Day 4, making our way from Inversnaid to Inverarnan.  Considered by many to be the most challenging stretch of the traditional trek, it will be a day of relative rest for us between two significant high-route days.

Day 5 will be another high-route day, as we head off-trail towards Ben Lui, regarded as one of the grandest and most elegant Munros in the Southern Highlands.  A nodal peak, Ben Lui’s waters drain east to the Tay and North Sea, south to Loch Lomond and the Firth of Clyde, and west to the Lochy and Atlantic.

After a well-deserved rest day in Tyndrum, our high-route adventures continue on Day 7.  We’ll venture off-trail to ascend the back of Beinn Dorain and then visit the neighboring Beinn an Dothaidh before descending to Bridge of Orchy.

Day 8 begins with an ascent to Màm Carraigh, where we’ll be rewarded with a panorama of towering summits before us. This stunning wall of mountains – the Black Mount – will be a constant presence to the west, guiding us past Rannoch Moor to the east.  The Black Mount showcases the full variety of the Highlands: secluded stream (allt) valleys (glens), hidden cirques (corries) complete with small lakes (lochan), high grassy plateaus, bare granite slabs, steep slopes, and sharp ridgelines of stones.

Our crossing to Kinlochleven on Day 9 is comparatively short, beginning with a traverse across the lower slopes of Beinn a’ Chrùlaiste during which we’ll enjoy views of Glen Coe and Buachaille Etive Mòr.  After ascending Devil’s Staircase, we’ll appreciate a fairly relaxing route that teases its way around the eastern slopes of the summits surrounding Glen Coe.

Day 10 is another well-deserved rest day – this time in Kinlochleven.  But if any of us have an itch to get back into the hills, we’ll have an optional out-and-back day hike along the western ridge of The Ring of Steall in the Mamores – a classic Highlands route – to visit Am Bodach, Devil’s Ridge, and Sgùrr a’ Mhaim.

Day 11 is our final day along the Way.  But instead of taking the traditional route through the hidden valley (glen) of Lairig Mor to the Way’s end in Fort William, we’ll head uphill into the Mamores.  Offering some of the best ridge-walking in the Highlands, the mountainsides are steep and high, and the ridgeline is narrow and rocky.  The entire ridgeline swoops from summit to summit between ten Munros in the Mamores.  Our traverse will take in Stob Coire a’ Chàirn and An Gearanach along the eastern ridge of The Ring of Steall before we drop down to Steall Falls – Scotland’s 2^nd-highest waterfall with a drop of 390’ – and trek the length of Glen Nevis.

We’ll finish our trek on Day 12 with an out-and-back day hike to the summit of the UK’s highest peak – Ben Nevis – followed by a group celebratory dinner.  After a final night in Fort William, we’ll return home or continue to other adventures.

A total of 15 days, this adventure includes 2 days for arrivals in Milngavie, 12 days of trekking, and 1 day for departing Fort William.

This trek is Very Strenuous / Challenging.  During our 12 days of trekking, we’ll cover 116 miles / 26,300’ gain, with a maximum elevation of 4,392’.  Our daily mileage will vary between 6.5 and 15.1 miles per day (with an average of 11.6 miles per day), and our elevation gain will range from 900’ to 4,400’ (with an average of 2,700’ per day).  Our route includes days on established, well-marked, heavily-traveled trails, as well as days of off-trail travel, route-finding, stream crossings, steep/rocky terrain, sections requiring extended steps up/down while using hands for stability, and areas of moderate exposure.

We’ll have a local mountain guide with us at all times, guiding us as we trek along the traditional path.  A 2^nd local mountain guide will join us on the days when we trek the mountains and ridgelines above the traditional path.  We’ll have a private shuttle for luggage transfers, transfers between accommodations and trailheads, and transfers of participants who wish to skip trail segments.

There are options from many places along the route for trekkers to exit via taxi, bus, or train if required.  All of the high-route segments can be avoided, with the traditional low-route segments used instead.  Between our private shuttle, the public transit options, and the traditional low-route segments, any section of the route can be skipped in case of bad/hazardous weather, unsafe terrain, time constraints, or injury/illness/fitness.

Participants will carry their own daypacks containing their 10 essentials as well as the day’s snacks and lunch, while a private shuttle will transfer our luggage (toiletries, spare clothing, future days’ snacks, comfort items, etc.) from village to village every day.  Participants won’t need to bring or carry tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, stoves, fuel, or cookware.

Is this adventure right for you?  You enjoy the challenge of very strenuous, high-mileage/high-gain days.  You accept and embrace challenges such as weather, areas of moderate exposure, and steep/rocky terrain where you need to use your hands for balance.  You feel a sense of accomplishment as you enjoy a hot meal and a cold beverage after a long, hard day.  You’re able to roll with the punches and go with the flow; you accept and embrace the proverbial curve balls that will inevitably be thrown our way.  You’re willing to help/support others, and to put the team first.

Time of Year: We’ll be visiting in May, which is considered by many to be the best time of year to visit the Highlands.  Days are long, temperatures are pleasantly mild, and rainfall is relatively low compared to other times of the year.  In fact, May offers the least cloud cover (clear or partly cloudy skies 39% of the time), the fewest days with rain (13), and the lowest rainfall (2.9”) of the year.  That said, the climate in the Scottish Highlands is generally cool, rainy, and cloudy throughout the year.  We must also remember that cold temperatures, rain, hail, snow, wind, lightning, and other foul weather can arise at any time.  Critically, we’ll be visiting before the typical start of midge season.

Weather: Expect daytime highs in the 50°F-60°F range, with minimal tree canopy on our route to protect us from the sun.  We can expect chilly nights in the 35°F-45°F range.  An average May in the Highlands has 13 days with some precipitation and a total of 2.9” of rain.

Lodging:  2 nights in a hotel/B&B in Milngavie, followed by 10 nights on-trail in hotels/B&Bs (7 nights) or hostels (3 nights), followed by 2 nights in a hotel/B&B in Fort William.  All accommodations will have restrooms and showers.  Our hotels and B&Bs will have double-occupancy private rooms, and when staying in hostels we’ll sleep in 10+ person, mixed-gender, dormitory-style bunk rooms.

Food: While staying in Milngavie before our trek, breakfasts are included and our welcome dinner on May 4^th is included.  Participants are responsible for other meals while in Milngavie (all meals on May 3^rd, lunch on May 4^th).  During our trek, breakfasts are included (and will be supplied daily by our accommodations).  Participants are responsible for all other meals (lunches, snacks, dinners) during our trek.  We’ll be able to purchase lunches at many of our accommodations, as well as in towns before our trek (in Milngavie), during our trek (in Tyndrum on days 5-6 and Kinlochleven on days 9-10), and after our trek (in Fort William).  Dinners can be purchased at restaurants near our accommodations.  On most days during our trek, we’ll pass small cafes and villages where we can purchase additional food or snacks as needed.  While staying in Fort William after our trek, our celebratory dinner on May 16^th is included and our breakfast on May 17^th is included.  Beverages other than water are not included before, during, or after our trek.

Dietary Restrictions: Vegetarian diets can be accommodated, but other special dietary preferences or requirements may be difficult to satisfy without the participant providing at least some of their own food at their own expense.

Provisions: Good shopping options are available both before our trek (in Milngavie), during our trek (in Tyndrum on days 5-6 and Kinlochleven on days 9-10), and after our trek (in Fort William).  Participants may want to arrive in Milngavie with all toiletries required for the trek, as well as any special on-trail provisions that they prefer (e.g., favorite drink mixes/electrolytes, coffee flavorings/additives, peanut/almond butter, dehydrated hummus, or other specialty food items) that are unlikely to be available in the region.

Leader’s experience: Colin Chapman (colindchapman@gmail.com) is an active backpacking, snowshoeing, and winter camping instructor and trip leader with the Mountaineers.  Colin has led dozens of overnight backpacking and snowshoeing trips for the Mountaineers, including trips into areas – such as the Enchantments, Wyoming’s Wind River Range, Torres del Paine’s O Circuit, and Switzerland’s Jungfrau region – with extensive off-trail travel, challenging terrain, and adverse weather.  Colin has completed the Wonderland Trail (twice) and John Muir Trail, has Wilderness First Responder, AIARE 1, and AIARE Rescue certifications, and serves on the Nordic Patrol (part of National Ski Patrol) at Mount Rainier National Park.

Participant requirements:  Must be a current Mountaineers member with an up-to-date waiver on file.

This outing is VERY STRENUOUS, much of the route is on RUGGED TERRAIN, and portions of the route are OFF TRAIL.  Participants must have experience and confidence trekking on steep, rocky terrain including ascents, descents, and traverses of steep scree/talus slopes, boulders, rock slabs, and narrow paths.  Some areas will have moderate exposure, and low-consequence snowfield crossings may be required.  We will find another route or turn around if conditions warrant the use of ice axes.  Steep ascents and descents on boulders and rock slabs will require the ability to take tall, extended steps up/down while using hands for stability.  All while carrying a daypack.

Participants must be in excellent physical condition and demonstrate their ability to do 11.6 miles / 2,700’ gain on multiple consecutive days on rugged terrain with a daypack.  Participants must also have the endurance, experience, willingness, and flexibility to deal with extended periods of significant mileage, substantial elevation gain/loss, challenging terrain, and inclement weather (cold temperatures, rain, hail, snow, wind, lightning).  Participants must understand that route adjustments could be required in the event of unanticipated weather, terrain, or participant conditions.

A positive, go-with-the-flow, roll-with-the-punches attitude and a demonstrated ability to get along well in group settings under demanding conditions is required.

Potential participants must read, understand and agree with the leader’s Goals, Expectations, and Style for the trip (link).  If these principles don’t match yours then this trip will not be a good fit for you.  In signing the Trip Agreement, you acknowledge that you understand and accept these principles and agree to support them during the trip.

Participants will be screened based on application responses, conversations with past Mountaineers leaders and other respected colleagues, the leader’s past direct experience with the applicant, and the leader’s impressions from in-depth conversations with the applicant. 

NOTE: Your leader makes most of the arrangements and provides logistics support during the trip, but is NOT a tour guide!  As a Mountaineers group we will operate as interdependent, capable travelers making our way together and helping one another succeed and be safe.  You are responsible for your own safety and that of your fellow travelers.  At any time, if weather, tide, terrain, or other conditions become dangerous, we will exit early or find a safer, alternate route.

It is a core philosophy that Mountaineers take care of each other.  As part of this ethic, we strongly encourage all participants before the trip to be up to date on the relevant vaccinations and boosters required for your age group for respiratory viruses including Covid-19, and to take precautions before the trip including avoiding indoor crowds and gatherings the week prior to the trip that carry a risk of bringing illness to the group, and masking during all transport to the adventure.  During the trip we ask every participant to:

• proactively communicate any symptoms of covid or respiratory illness to your trip leader as soon as they appear; mask when with others in the group; and work with the leader to isolate as much as possible
• carry 4 self-tests and test yourself proactively if you begin to experience any symptoms that could indicate a covid infection
• isolate in the case of any positive test or if you exhibit any contagious respiratory virus symptoms, until fever is gone without medication and contagious symptoms have declined significantly.

See our latest Global Adventures Respiratory Illness/Covid Prevention Policy at this link.

Each participant will be required to hold emergency medical treatment and emergency evacuation insurance sufficient to get them home in case of an illness or injury during the trek.   We also recommend trip cancellation/interruption insurance to allow you to recover your non-refundable expenses if you have to cancel before or during the trip due to an illness or injury.   (Insurance will be at your own expense.)  Details on travel insurance, what to get and how to get it will be communicated by the trip leader as soon as you join the roster.

Trip Price Detail: $5000.  Price includes all lodging, all breakfasts, welcome dinner in Milngavie, celebratory dinner in Fort William, 1-2 local mountain guides throughout the trek, and a private shuttle throughout the trek.  Price does not include transportation between home and Milngavie / Fort William (~$1660), lunches, snacks, and dinners during the trek (~$1000), beverages other than water, guide tips (~$450), or emergency medical treatment and emergency evacuation insurance (~$75-$350).

Registration: Please complete and submit the application form at the button below, after which the trip leader may get back to you with additional questions.  If you receive the trip leader’s approval to join the roster, please pay the 50% deposit to reserve your place on the roster.  Approval to join the roster will not necessarily be a function of your date of application; it will also reflect your experience and fitness.  A place on the roster can only be held with payment of the deposit.  Registration will close as soon as the roster fills.  The balance of the trip payment will be due in late 2025.  As soon as you have registered, you’ll be asked to also complete online Trip Agreement and Liability Release forms.

Cancellation Policy: If you cancel 180 or more days before the May 3rd arrival date, you may receive a refund less a $1000 cancellation fee and any other non-refundable expenses incurred up to that time.  And if you cancel less than 180 days before the May 3rd arrival date, no refund is available.  NOTE: the cancellation fees above may be waived other than a minimum $100 admin fee if someone can be found to take your place on the trip.

APPLICATION FORM

Arrive in Milngavie, Scotland anytime on Sunday May 3^rd, 2026.  Depart from Fort William, Scotland anytime on Sunday May 17^th to return home or continue to other adventures.

Participants are responsible for their own transportation between home and Milngavie before the adventure and between Fort William and home after the adventure.  Frequent bus + train service connects the airport in Glasgow (GLA) to Milngavie – travel time of 1 hour – for approximately $80 one-way.  Frequent train + bus service connects Fort William to the airport in Glasgow (GLA) – travel time of 5 hours – for approximately $80 one way.  Multiple airlines offer daily service between Seattle (SEA) and Glasgow (GLA) – approximately $1500 round-trip.