@@redmanwalking74 Totally agree on the route out of Balmaha we walked that route but didn't realise it wasn't the true path. I got to Drymen and my boots fell apart and the staff at the cafe gave me great advice for the nearest store, lovely people and great black pudding.
By FAR the BEST place in DRYMEN for food to takeaway or Cafe like is the BAKERY, freshly made NOT bought in from another source. The CLACHAN is BEST for evening meals, lunches and a Great Pub. The DRYMEN INN also is great if you like live music of an evening.
Absolutely 💯% brilliant informative video. I looked at the route on AllTrails and fully understand why you advised to leave the hill out of the walk. 👌👌
@@davidjackson8829 Last year, we walked with a guy called Matt, who had a similar issue. He reached Tyndrum and couldn't wear his trail shoes any further. He was carrying Birkenstocks for wearing around camp. Unbelievably he managed completed the rest of the trail wearing them and a fully laden pack. I wouldn't recommend it but it has been done. You're one week ahead of me, so enjoy the adventure and I hope the weather is kind to you. Thanks for watching. G❤🏴
We did both of these things when completing the Way last year! We spent the night in Drymen, and in addition to turning left (at the junction with the path that continues on into the pastures) our 1st evening to get into town, we also went up the road directly from the town center our 2nd morning, and rejoined the Way at the entrance to Garadhban Forest. It cut a few meters off our long day 2, and we enjoyed walking by ourselves for a bit hehe. The road really wasn't busy at all, and the views into the pastures were pretty nice. On Day 2, we actually missed the turn onto the Way, so inadvertently took the path that goes along the Loch instead of going up the hill. A happy mistake, as we really enjoyed that tiny section by the water, and really didn't need an extra hill that day hehe. Cheers from Canada! :)
Thank you for this informative video! I just booked my flights from Oakland, California, to Glasgow, to do the WHW starting May 20, 2024! (I won't be wild camping - I am using one of those B&B/Luggage services. I backpack here in CA, but for this trip, I am going posh ;)
I don't understand that bit of the route either. It would make more sense to make the existing route a diversion for those who want to avoid Drymen, and have the official route head up the old Gartmore Road at the Clachan to join back up with the current route. I love the Clachan - the food is excellent and they're very accommodating - I turned up once when a kit test walk had gone wrong |(my waterproof jacket was not waterproof). I was soaked to the bone and they still welcomed me in even though I'm sure my jacket left a puddle! I quite like going up Craigie Fort, though it was better when the view wasn't as obscured by the trees.
Thank you for a informative video. I have heard about following the Lock side, I was planning to do that in April when I will hiking WHW. But thank you for showing what it looks like.
Very welcome. The WHW is a really well appointed and flexible trail that can be adapted to suit most itineraries. I can't wait until my next visit. Two months to go! Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
Really useful info! Thank you Red man! Working on my fitness currently with the WHW being my goal. May come up and do a few sections to test mtself out before I go for the whole thing.
You'll be amazed. I don't ever feel particularly strong or fit at the start of a hike but by day 3 or 4 it gets easier and by the end, you feel like a tank. 💪 Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
Hi Gordon, it was so nice to meet you three times in one day - that must be record too😂. Oh and that plaque you mentioned at the top of Craigie Fort is no longer there. I’m not sure when it was removed. Great video again. Keep them coming. Hopefully our paths will cross again. Currently in Crianlarich and heading to Inveroran tomorrow. Dry today and tomorrow- bonus days😂😂.
Loitering on the Way is, my favourite pastime! 😁I could've bent your ear all day about your tips and tricks for tackling the trail. I'm sure there's a video series in there somewhere for your own channel. Absolutely my pleasure to bump into you (3 times!!! 🤣) and thanks for the input into my current creation. Good luck with the rest of the walk and I hope the weather is kind to you. All the best, G.
What's stopping you buddy? There's lots of way to break it down and make it suit your own preference. I can't recommend it highly enough. Great scenery, great company, great food, camping, accommodation, baggage transfer. Hope you get a chance to experience your own adventure soon. G ❤️ 🏴
@@redmanwalking74 I'm 72yr old I have been looking on RUclips thinking about doing it in stages I have always been so busy working long hours retired now I live near Glasgow thanks for replying
Nice to see a video with useful information for once! I've done the WHW many times and tried lots of variations. The first 4 times the low route was closed and only the high route was signposted! Also, at the end I prefer the Cow Hill walk into Fort William...
Thanks for those kinds words. Yeah, I try to make my videos interesting first and foremost, but if there's something else I can add I try to. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
The trail markers will send you up the hill if you're not relying on the various apps. Good to here that the app trails are giving you both options. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
Glad to hear that. The West Highland Way is a trail that gets under your skin. I'm returning for my fourth year in a row in April 2025. This time I'm going to try baggage transfer. Enjoy your adventure and thanks for watching. G ❤️ 🏴
Hi, a great film and some fantastic information for me, especially the Drymen info, I may stay there on my first night walking the WHW. I will be doing the walk solo with some camping towards end of April or the beginning of May this year 2024. Do you know how the midge situation is at the beginning of May? I would like to avoid them. An excellent film thank you, I have subscribed and will be watching all your films, kind regards, Chris. 👍👍👍
Hi Chris, so glad you found the film useful. I always plan my long distance hikes during Easter and October time to avoid the midges. End of April should be fine. Thanks for watching and enjoy your WHW adventure. G ❤️🏴
There’s a great cafe in Drymen with wonderful people serving great breakfast, SKOOSH, just down the road on the main street.
Great information.👏🏻
I'll check it out on Saturday. Thanks for the info. G ❤️🏴
@@redmanwalking74
Totally agree on the route out of Balmaha we walked that route but didn't realise it wasn't the true path.
I got to Drymen and my boots fell apart and the staff at the cafe gave me great advice for the nearest store, lovely people and great black pudding.
By FAR the BEST place in DRYMEN for food to takeaway or Cafe like is the BAKERY, freshly made NOT bought in from another source. The CLACHAN is BEST for evening meals, lunches and a Great Pub. The DRYMEN INN also is great if you like live music of an evening.
Absolutely 💯% brilliant informative video. I looked at the route on AllTrails and fully understand why you advised to leave the hill out of the walk. 👌👌
Glad you liked it. Enjoy your adventure. G ❤️ 🏴
Starting a weekend on Saturday. Can’t wait. 😊
Attempted this 2 years back. New boots were a bad move. Got to Tyndrum and decided to call it a day. Fingers crossed this time.
You are right that hillock after Balmaha seemed pointless after a hearty lunch. 😅Good tip to go round the headland.
Subbed👍
@@davidjackson8829 Last year, we walked with a guy called Matt, who had a similar issue. He reached Tyndrum and couldn't wear his trail shoes any further. He was carrying Birkenstocks for wearing around camp. Unbelievably he managed completed the rest of the trail wearing them and a fully laden pack. I wouldn't recommend it but it has been done.
You're one week ahead of me, so enjoy the adventure and I hope the weather is kind to you. Thanks for watching. G❤🏴
@@davidjackson8829 Appreciate it. WHW gear loadout video coming this weekend. G ♥️🏴
We did both of these things when completing the Way last year! We spent the night in Drymen, and in addition to turning left (at the junction with the path that continues on into the pastures) our 1st evening to get into town, we also went up the road directly from the town center our 2nd morning, and rejoined the Way at the entrance to Garadhban Forest. It cut a few meters off our long day 2, and we enjoyed walking by ourselves for a bit hehe. The road really wasn't busy at all, and the views into the pastures were pretty nice. On Day 2, we actually missed the turn onto the Way, so inadvertently took the path that goes along the Loch instead of going up the hill. A happy mistake, as we really enjoyed that tiny section by the water, and really didn't need an extra hill that day hehe. Cheers from Canada! :)
😊❤️🏴
Many thanks very helpful, informative.
Glad you found it useful. Enjoy your adventure. G ❤️ 🏴
Super video, I have learned a lot!
So glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
Stayed in Drymen when i walked the Way in 2016. Had a meal in the Drymen Inn and have to say it was delicious 😋
I've yet to try the food in there. Maybe this Easter. 😋❤️🏴
Did the WHW 15 years ago, maybe less, guy called Chick - referee in the Glasgow leagues - was on his 13th trip!
Thank you for this informative video! I just booked my flights from Oakland, California, to Glasgow, to do the WHW starting May 20, 2024! (I won't be wild camping - I am using one of those B&B/Luggage services. I backpack here in CA, but for this trip, I am going posh ;)
You're starting the week before me. The baggage transfer is a gteat thing. Enjoy the trip and thanks for watching. G♥️🏴
Thanks again for an off the grid interesting piece of info. Same as High road Low road vid before 👍👍
Thanks for watching. More like it in the pipeline. G ♥️🏴
I don't understand that bit of the route either. It would make more sense to make the existing route a diversion for those who want to avoid Drymen, and have the official route head up the old Gartmore Road at the Clachan to join back up with the current route. I love the Clachan - the food is excellent and they're very accommodating - I turned up once when a kit test walk had gone wrong |(my waterproof jacket was not waterproof). I was soaked to the bone and they still welcomed me in even though I'm sure my jacket left a puddle! I quite like going up Craigie Fort, though it was better when the view wasn't as obscured by the trees.
@@sueKay The Clachan is a favourite stop for me. A wee treat to end day 1. G♥️🏴
Thanks for the advice about skipping Balmaha’s hill, wish I had known that in May, next time!! Great video 😊
You're very welcome. I'm sure you will have a next time. Something about this trail just draws you back. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
Feel like I'm getting local knowledge by watching your videos :)
Glad you're finding them useful. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
Thank you for a informative video. I have heard about following the Lock side, I was planning to do that in April when I will hiking WHW. But thank you for showing what it looks like.
You're very welcome. G♥️🏴
Tap water is free in pubs in Scotland. Just ask.
Love the advice on the route, thanks
Very welcome. The WHW is a really well appointed and flexible trail that can be adapted to suit most itineraries. I can't wait until my next visit. Two months to go! Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
Outstanding video.
Thanks Dave. G ♥️🏴
Really useful info! Thank you Red man! Working on my fitness currently with the WHW being my goal. May come up and do a few sections to test mtself out before I go for the whole thing.
You'll be amazed. I don't ever feel particularly strong or fit at the start of a hike but by day 3 or 4 it gets easier and by the end, you feel like a tank. 💪 Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
Totally agree about leaving Craigy Fort section out..
There's plenty of other hills. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
Hi Gordon, it was so nice to meet you three times in one day - that must be record too😂. Oh and that plaque you mentioned at the top of Craigie Fort is no longer there. I’m not sure when it was removed. Great video again. Keep them coming. Hopefully our paths will cross again. Currently in Crianlarich and heading to Inveroran tomorrow. Dry today and tomorrow- bonus days😂😂.
Loitering on the Way is, my favourite pastime! 😁I could've bent your ear all day about your tips and tricks for tackling the trail. I'm sure there's a video series in there somewhere for your own channel. Absolutely my pleasure to bump into you (3 times!!! 🤣) and thanks for the input into my current creation. Good luck with the rest of the walk and I hope the weather is kind to you. All the best, G.
Question. Which way does Robert take? The high road or the low road from Balnaha? 😂
@@WestCoastKilties Good question. He passed me on the lower path out of Balmaha. G ♥️🏴
Come to Drymen, visit the Clachan or Drymen Inn for a 🍺
Two great choices! G♥️🏴
Always wanted to do the west highway
What's stopping you buddy? There's lots of way to break it down and make it suit your own preference. I can't recommend it highly enough. Great scenery, great company, great food, camping, accommodation, baggage transfer. Hope you get a chance to experience your own adventure soon. G ❤️ 🏴
@@redmanwalking74 I'm 72yr old I have been looking on RUclips thinking about doing it in stages I have always been so busy working long hours retired now I live near Glasgow thanks for replying
Nice to see a video with useful information for once! I've done the WHW many times and tried lots of variations. The first 4 times the low route was closed and only the high route was signposted! Also, at the end I prefer the Cow Hill walk into Fort William...
Thanks for those kinds words. Yeah, I try to make my videos interesting first and foremost, but if there's something else I can add I try to. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
Nice 🙂👍
Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
April 2024 coming for it! (my hiking apps -- FarOut, and others, show both routes as acceptable options at Balmaha...both are marked WHW!)
The trail markers will send you up the hill if you're not relying on the various apps. Good to here that the app trails are giving you both options. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
Thanks for the great tips. I fancy doing the WHW for a second time and will be taking your advice .
Glad to hear that. The West Highland Way is a trail that gets under your skin. I'm returning for my fourth year in a row in April 2025. This time I'm going to try baggage transfer. Enjoy your adventure and thanks for watching. G ❤️ 🏴
Will definitely do the Drymen on my first run at this this year and possibly dodge that hill too. Ta.
Very welcome. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
Hi, a great film and some fantastic information for me, especially the Drymen info, I may stay there on my first night walking the WHW.
I will be doing the walk solo with some camping towards end of April or the beginning of May this year 2024.
Do you know how the midge situation is at the beginning of May? I would like to avoid them. An excellent film thank you, I have subscribed and will be watching all your films, kind regards, Chris. 👍👍👍
Hi Chris, so glad you found the film useful. I always plan my long distance hikes during Easter and October time to avoid the midges. End of April should be fine. Thanks for watching and enjoy your WHW adventure. G ❤️🏴
@@redmanwalking74hi, thank you for your reply and especially the midge advise, all the best, regards Chris.
After you avoid the right turn up the hill and go straight along the loch, how long is it before the WHW joins back again? 1mile?
@@leahcummings3903 Not even. You'd be lucky if it's half a mile. Get wee bypass. G ♥️🏴
Oops 79 anyway 🎉
Impressive eh!?