A Taste of the West Highland Way & Glencoe

Take the late morning train from Glasgow Queen Street Station to Bridge of Orchy (payable locally at reasonable cost). The train follows the famous West Highland Line, named Best Rail Journey in the World by readers of Wanderlust Magazine and is a favourite of the Man in Seat 61. The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours as the train travels north via Arrochar and Loch Lomond through superb scenery. Disembarking at Bridge of Orchy, check in to the hotel, a resting place for travellers since the early 18th century. The present building was constructed in the 1930s and sits close by the bridge across the River Orchy built by General Wade as part of the network of military roads across Scotland to quell the Jacobite rebellion. Enjoy a wee dram in the bar before dinner and relax in the quiet surroundings of the Highlands. Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel at Bridge of Orchy.

Enjoy a hearty Scottish breakfast and head out onto the West Highland Way. Cross the old bridge over the river and join the West Highland Way as it climbs the hill on the opposite side of the glen. The trail meanders through forest and opens up to reveal stunning views of the surrounding mountains. A short descent on a good trail brings you to Inveroran, an old drovers inn on the Black Mount Estate, owned by the family of James Bond author, Ian Fleming who spent time here. The route follows the old military road constructed by General Wade to transport English troops after the Jacobite rebellion in 1745. This was also an old cattle drover’s trail. Droving cattle from the Highlands on foot to the markets of southern Scotland continued until 1900. Rannoch Moor is wild, remote and eerily beautiful. Shortly after leaving Inveroran you’ll pass close by Black Rock House on the shores of Loch Tulla. Just beyond the loch, a cairn sits on a heather-covered hillock commemorating the life of Peter Fleming, Ian’s brother. Keep a look out for wildlife here as you may see red deer, golden eagles and black grouse. As the trail approaches the entrance to the long and deep valley of Glencoe, Buchaille Etive Mor (1021m/3350ft) comes into view. The “Great Herdsman of Etive” is a beautiful mountain and one of the most recognisable of Scottish Munros (mountains over 3000ft). Glen Etive, which forks to the west of Glencoe, is where some of the Bond movie Skyfall was filmed. Make your way to the Kingshouse Hotel and enjoy a well-deserved snack in the bar whilst you await your transfer to Glencoe village. Accommodation: 2 nights in a modern hotel at the shore of Loch Leven in Glencoe. There is a leisure centre with pool, sauna and an exercise room, the restaurant overlooks the lake.

Explore the lower reaches of the Glencoe valley on foot today. Our suggestion is that you enjoy a leisurely walk around the valley to visit the site of Hagrid’s Hut, one of the film locations for the Harry Potter movies, and Signal Rock from where, according to legend, the signal was given for the famous Glencoe massacre of MacDonalds by Clan Campbell. This walk includes a lovely section along woodland beside the River Coe and the option to visit the bar at the Clachaig Inn, celebrated by mountaineers worldwide. If you would like a more challenging route, you could make the ascent of the Pap of Glencoe to enjoy 360 degree views. This is a moderate to difficult rated hike and takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can enjoy a rest day, explore the village and have a leisurely lunch at one of the local hostelries. You can also take some time to learn more about the Scottish Highlands at the Glencoe Folk Museum in the village. Set in a 19th century thatched cottage, the museum holds an eclectic array of objects celebrating local heritage (the museum has been closed for refurbishment and will reopen in 2025).

After breakfast, transfer (included) back to the Kingshouse Hotel to return to the West Highland Way. The trail is well marked as it skirts the lower slopes of Beinn a’Chrulaiste with great views of Buchaille Etive Mor to your left. Ascend the Devil’s Staircase, a long series of zigzags running up a heather-clad slope to a high point marked with cairns. The views from here extend across Glencoe to Rannoch Moor and across to the Mamore Mountains in the north. From the summit, descend to Kinlochleven. The small town is visible below at the head of Loch Leven. The track is rough to begin before joining a wider track at the top of the impressive pipeline that feeds the aluminium works. Once known as the Electric Village, Kinlochleven was built in the early 20th century to house workers at the aluminium smelter. The process required electricity generated by the turbines fed by the Blackwater Reservoir. Accommodation: Overnight in a comfortable, welcoming guesthouse in Kinlochleven.

Be sure to enjoy a full Scottish breakfast as today is a longer walk, although the scenery along the way more than makes up for the effort required. The West Highland Way resumes with a steep climb out of Kinlochleven towards Lairigmor (the great pass). The path follows the glen as it bends northwards, before heading down to Glen Nevis. Pass through open moorland and forest plantations and if the weather is good, you will see Ben Nevis (1345m/4413ft) looming in the distance. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the UK and its summit is covered in cloud 50% of the time even in summer! Once you have Ben Nevis in sight, you are on the home stretch. The path descends to the river Nevis and then curls west to Fort William. Make your way into the town centre to finish your journey with a photo beside the bronze statue of a West Highland Way hiker. If you have energy to spare, you may wish to visit the Ben Nevis distillery or the West Highland Museum. You will certainly enjoy dinner tonight! Accommodation: Overnight in a comfortable hotel or guesthouse in Fort William.

Tour arrangements end after breakfast. You can spend further time exploring the area (ask our team about adding an extra night), or travel on in the Highlands. Fort William has a train station with regular departures to Mallaig, Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh.