West Highland Way Uncovered: Comfortable b&bs 11 days

Just north of Glasgow is the small town of Milngavie, the official start of the West Highland Way. Easily reached by train from Glasgow (20mins) or Edinburgh (90mins), arrive at your leisure ahead of your first day of walking. If you already have plans to be in either city, you can always arrive at Milngavie station in the morning and start walking the same day. We can easily accommodate any pre-walk plans you may have.

Meals Included: None
Accommodation: Premier Inn Milngavie
A straightforward and simple hotel that sets you for your first day of walking. The hotel is easy to reach from Milngavie train station and within a short walk to the town centre amenities.

Starting at the West Highland Way monument, it’s only a few metres before you are onto the trails of Mugdock Country Park. Half through the day you will pass the Glengoyne Whisky distillery voted Scotland’s number 1 whisky tour.  Walking on to Drymen, in the evening visit the Clachan Inn, Scotland’s oldest pub (licenced since 1734) for a wee dram.

Walk:20km
Ascent: 220m
Descent: 210m
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Braeside B&B
A few paces from the Clachan Inn, Braeside is always a firm favourite with walkers. Run by Christopher and Fiona, they are always happy to help with anything you may need. Comfortable en-suite rooms, great hospitality and a filling breakfast have made Braeside popular with walkers for many years.

After leaving Drymen, a straightforward track leads into the Garadhban pine forest. As the trees thin, you’ll see your first views of Loch Lomond, the UK’s biggest freshwater lake and the boundary between Scotland’s lowlands and highlands. The route climbs to the summit of Conic Hill (361m) which reveals, striking views across the loch and Trossach Hills. Descend to your overnight stay in Balmaha, where you can further explore the shoreline or enjoy a local pint in the village pub.

Walk: 12km
Ascent: 350m
Descent: 390m
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Oak Tree Inn
On the banks of Loch Lomond is the Oak Tree Inn, the local Fraser family built the Oak Tree Inn using a local slate. En-suite rooms are located above the inn, and provide all comforts for a good nights sleep. Downstairs there is a traditional style pub serving British classics, real ales and of course, an extensive selection of whiskies.

After leaving Balmaha, continue to walk north along the shores of Loch Lomond. With a relatively short distance today, you can take advantage of the many small beaches along the trail to relax and enjoy your surroundings. For much of the trail, the route undulates through forests, by the water’s edge and alongside country roads to the picture-postcard setting of your hotel for the night at Rowardennan.

Walk: 12km
Ascent: 250m
Descent: 250m
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Rowardennan Hotel
Located on the shores of Loch Lomond, this walkers hotel has incredible views across the water to the western hills and up to Ben Lomond. En-suite rooms are comfortable, with many having views of the loch. Enjoy a drink from the Clansman bar and on a fine evening, enjoy a drink outside in the garden which rolls down to the water’s edge.

With spectacular views of Ben Lomond to the east and the Arrochar Alps to the west, follow forest trails as you continue north along the shores of Loch Lomond. The trail steadily climbs above the water, before reaching Inversnaid Hotel, a perfectly timed coffee stop located next to a thundering waterfall. Beyond the hotel, continue towards the head of the loch, passing the Doune Bothy, a typical stone house, which is a place of refuge for walkers. The day ends at the Ardleish Ferry dock for transfer across Loch Lomond to the Ardlui Hotel.

Walk: 20km
Ascent: 600m
Descent: 600m
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ardlui Hotel
A short ferry ride across Loch Lomond to your accommodation. Ardlui Hotel offers 3-star accommodation and includes a loch-side restaurant and bar. As a “Whisky Ambassador” hotel, the Ardlui offers a wide range of authentic Scottish whiskys for you to sample.

After a short ferry ride back across Loch Lomond, the WHW continues north and soon leaves the loch behind. The trail continues to climb through Glen Falloch to the Crianlarrich crossroads. Marking the halfway point of the West Highland Way, the crossroads are the natural junction of Glen Falloch and grazing pastures of Strathfillan. Walking northwards, venture deep into the rugged highlands as you approach the small settlement of Tyndrum, which translates to ‘house on the ridge’ in Scottish Gaelic.

Walk: 23km
Ascent: 485m
Descent: 270m
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Tigh-Na-Fraoch B&B
A lovely local B&B with exceptionally friendly hosts. Only a stroll from the nearby shops and cafes.

Walk out of Tyndrum, accompanied by excellent views of Ben Dorain and Ben Lui. Reach the Bridge of Orchy hotel with its very inviting bar. The route climbs again to an excellent viewpoint over Loch Tulla and on a clear day, across to Rannoch Moor and Black Mount. On the walk down to Inveroran, the vast landscape is a palette of browns, reds and greens and if you’re lucky you might be able to spot Highland stags roaming in the distance.

Walk: 15km
Ascent: 310m
Descent: 360m
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Inveroran Hotel
An isolated country house hotel in a spectacular setting. This original 19th-century drovers inn has become a firm favourite for West Highland Way walkers. Retaining historical features, the hotel has 9 comfy, en-suite rooms, a typical snug bar, and restaurant. Owing to its secluded location, you are sure to enjoy a very peaceful night of sleep here!

Leave the Inveroran Hotel for one of the most dramatic days of walking. Follow Telford’s old drove road around Loch Tulla which eventually heads across Rannoch Moor. A vast wilderness of barren beauty, the track gently rises through an almost otherworldly landscape of heather, bog and rocky outcrops, encircled by rugged mountain tops. Over the crest of Rannoch Moor, the easy-going descent leads into the magnificent Glencoe Valley and the warm welcoming sight of Kingshouse Hotel.

Walk: 16km
Ascent: 290m
Descent: 230m
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Kingshouse Hotel
Beginning as a humble place of refuge for weary travellers during the 1750’s, the Kingshouse Hotel has evolved to become a real highlight of the West Highland Way. A sanctuary in the wilderness, the hotel bar serves locally sourced beers and single malts, whilst the restaurant menu is a fusion of Scottish and modern European dining. Cosy and comfortable rooms ensure a good night’s sleep and there is an excellent drying room to cater for the unpredictable Scottish weather.

Although today is a shorter walk, you will reach the highest point of the West Highland Way. Walking from Kingshouse, warm up with a gentle few kilometres through the Glencoe Valley. Then you will reach the foot of the Devil’s Staircase and despite the constant gradient, the glorious views are a distraction from the climb. At the high point (548m), the long sweeping descent to Kinlochleven unfolds in front of you.

Walk: 15km
Ascent: 420m
Descent: 630m
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Allt-na-Leven Guesthouse
Formerly the village stores, husband and wife, Pauline and Wullie have lovingly converted the property into a 4* award-winning guest house. Commended for using local produce, Allt-na-Leven prides itself in giving all walkers a warm welcome, large comfortable rooms and a hearty breakfast for the long walk to Fort William. Being centrally located means you’re only a few minutes from the pubs and shops of Kinlochleven.

The day begins with a steady climb out of Kinlochleven and into the hidden valley of Lairig Mor. Flanked by the Mamores Mountains, the wide track passes by the ruins of shepherds’ houses, and in such wild surrounds, it’s hard to imagine the hardships of the farming communities which lived here. On reaching Glen Nevis, the route narrows and rolls through pine forests as you see your first views of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain (1345m). Finish the day with a descent into Fort William, the end of the West Highland Way.

Walk: 25km
Ascent: 540m
Descent: 560m
Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Myrtle Bank Guest House
Overlooking Loch Linnhe and only a short walk from town, Myrtle Bank is run by Dora and her team in a converted Victorian Villa, en-suite rooms are classically furnished. The property also has extensive gardens, which are a passion of Dora’s. Known for its friendly atmosphere, this guest house is a great end to some of the finest walking days in Scotland.

After breakfast, the nearby train makes for easy onward travel. Spend more time in Fort William and perhaps take the Jacobite Steam Train, recognised as one of the greatest train journeys in the world.

Meals included: Breakfast