West Highland Way: Inns, Lochs & Highland Evenings

This six-day journey is designed for travelers who want the drama of the West Highland Way while keeping the pace civilised and the evenings comfortable. Rather than thru-hiking every mile, you focus on the most rewarding sections: the shores of Loch Lomond, the open sweep of Rannoch Moor, the climb of the Devil’s Staircase and the grand approach into Fort William beneath the flanks of Ben Nevis. Luggage transfers and well-placed overnight stops make it far more approachable than a full end-to-end attempt.

You begin around Milngavie and quickly trade suburban edges for oak woods, open water and the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. Further north, the trail becomes more spacious and cinematic: whitewashed cottages at Tyndrum, lonely moorland around Bridge of Orchy, and the vast Highland horizon opening as you approach Glencoe’s gateway. It is a route of changing moods rather than constant exertion, and this version allows time to actually absorb them.

Accommodation is part of the appeal. Expect classic Highland inns, village guesthouses and places where muddy boots are welcome but dinner still matters. Evenings revolve around local salmon, venison, cullen skink and the easy rituals of tea rooms by day and whisky bars by night. This is not a wilderness expedition; it is a walking holiday with texture, comfort and a strong sense of place.

The trip suits couples, first-time long-distance walkers and small groups who want a rewarding challenge without roughing it. Daily distances are moderate, though some sections remain rugged, especially along Loch Lomond and on the ascent of the Devil’s Staircase. Best from May to September, with June and September often offering a sweet spot of long light and fewer crowds.