Very nice video about the trail. And what I particularly liked is the final section over Cow Hill. I want to do that too. I've seen so many videos of the WHW where people complain at the end about the long walk along the road towards Fort Williams, but so far no one has taken the alternative route. It looks really good :-) Thanks for the video!
Another great vid. Have watched a few folks who have done this trail. A kit list for this extended trail would really be appreciated if you have the time. 👍👍
Nice one Jonathan another cracking video. Thanks for filming, editing and taking us along. Amazing achievement to complete in 5 days, well done. Big thumbs up from me. Wishing you and yours all the best. Dave aka wackyswanderings
Watched a load of these vids in preparation for giving it a go with my daughter in September. By far the most enjoyable I've watched so far. No frills, just good honest footage and info. Who cares how you say a name place. We know where you mean. Well done Jon
@@JonathanDowe Cheers for that, I am toying with the the idea of getting one myself purely for the space offered and weight savings. Can you shed any light on the hidden costs of posting, duties etc please? Thanks, Stuart
@@stushikesandrides there is a video done by Hounds of Howgate it’s call importing zpacks to the Uk ( ruclips.net/video/nhSiW8JePiA/видео.htmlsi=rrPh3VxFbfYwXRRM ), it’s a few years old but still valid. They do have a sale in Novembers which get a bit off but they are still expensive, but I don’t regret it.
Trailblazer it’s bloody excellent, make sure you get the latest version. If you are using a gps you can also download the waypoints too which is a nice touch
Nice film. Your day 4 night after Bridge of Orchy was exactly the spot where I slept when I walked it, and you're right, it does give you a useful bit of shelter. As a blow-in, it's taken me years to get used to the pronunciation of place names here, many of which are impossible to get by just reading them. In order, some of the ones you encountered are pronounced "Mull guy"; "Drimmen"; and "Tindrum".
It is a beauty of a spot, I just gave up on the pronunciation in the end which I think shows. Embarrassingly I was actually born in Stirling and lived the first eight years of my life in Scotland, I am being visited by one of my oldest friends in a couple of weeks and expect a fair amount of justified ribbing.
Nice video, brought back lots of memories of my time on the WHW. On every trail there's always someone you bump into carrying far too much weight!! 25kg yikes!
Thank you, I did feel so sorry for her. Even when I started I think my pack was 14kg, nowadays I try to keep weight as low as possible. It’s amazing how much difference even a small amount of weight can make over 20 miles in a day.
Just decided to do the WHW about an hour ago and found your video. Any chance you could share where/how you chose your camping spaces? I cant get a permit (non left as i am thinking of going in 48hrs) and you mentioned it wasnt worth it and just arter the protected area there was a nice spot. Would be great if you could share them and save me trying to work out where to stop
Hi Paul, there are a load of nice spots after the protected area you will be spoilt for choice. I am used to wild camping in England which involves stealth and getting off the path. Most of the time I pitched right by the path and it was great. The two sites I would mention though are just as you go in the woods near Crainlarich there are a couple of beautiful sites with benches and the ruin of Ba Cottage on the moors before Kings House Hotel. The Ba Cottage one was probably my favourite waking up on the moor after the rain the day before and having it all to myself was special. You’ll have a great time.
Planning on 2025 for my 60th your video was very informative for the hike. Coming from the Northeastern Appalachian Mountains . It will be quite different. But nice to be on my ancestral soil. Be well and Trail on!🥾
Thank you, it’s a lovely trail and with people from all parts of the world walking it. Because you can walk it in many ways, wild camp, campsites, b&b, baggage transfer etc etc you meet people with different daily objectives but all with something in common - completing the WHW. Enjoy your trip.
@@JonathanDowe thank you!! Wanted to legal wild camp so you video really tuned me in. Got the book you had also. Thank you so much for all the information!!
You probably know, loch ness was physically joined to the appalacian mountains when the earth had one land mass Pangea. During the Highland clearances many Scots emigrated to the appalacian mountains.
@@andymcphie3008 thank you for that information! That makes sense now. ( My clan is Sinclair) . I hiked the Appalachian Trail and the International Appalachian Trail is part of the WHW. I seem to going full circle with Hiking and ancestors.I still have much learn about my Ancestors soil.
Hello Jonathon, great video and wonderful scenery indeed! Quick question though, can you just pitch up anywhere along the trail or do all campers have to seek permission? Also, what was your pack weight roughly? Thanks 👍
You can pitch up anywhere in except a short section on Loch Lomond, but there are campsites or permit zone in that section, although if I was doing it again I would walk through this area and pitch up afterwards. My back weight on this hike was about 9kg excluding food and water (which you don’t need to carry much of). Hope that helps.
From where ? Milngavie is pronounced like mul-guy. Not miln-gavie. And, wild camping is mostly legal in Scotland but there are many places along the Loch Lomond sections of the walk where camping is prohibited except in winter. Due to 'dirty' camping becoming a huge issue, especially close to roads.
Hello Jonathan. Don't worry about the pronunciation of place names, most people in Scotland would just be happy that you came to our wee country and had a positive experience and maybe you'll tell your friends and they'll come too, it's good for our economy. As you probably know, most people in Scotland don't speak gaelic but most of our hills and mountains have gaelic names that the majority of Scots cant pronounce properly no matter what the pedants will tell you, if they weren't moaning about that it would be something else. Congratulations on finishing the trail and as we say in Scotland, haste ye back.
Thank you Raymond, I already plan to be back same time next year for the Great Glen and Ben Nevis. So many people have said oh I would like to do the West Highland Way and my answer is always the same “ what’s stopping you?”. I know wild camping adds nothing to the local economy, but I think I made up for it with my two meal stops a day, and such good food too. I know what you mean about Scots, don’t tell anyone but I was born in Stirling.
@@JonathanDowe You're welcome Jonathan. I'm the same as you, I'm a wild camper and I tend to eat and maybe have a couple of beers, and transport etc, it all adds up. I'm just glad you enjoyed yourself back in your homeland. You'll enjoy the Great Glen. All the best mate.
A good video is let down by issues around place names, especially where there are people to ask. Mull-guy - (Milngavie) is just one well-known example but I am sure that the pronunciation of Drymen, Rowardennan, Inversnaid and Tyndrum could easily have been resolved by asking.
@@robwithdogoutdoors1438 Yes, I am not saying it is not difficult but if you are visiting a town / village, where there are people to ask about the pronunciation of the name it is much simpler. Like you, when confronted by the names of physical features on a map, I am equally at sea. It is not easy to find someone when climbing A’Chrois to help with the pronunciation (I am still unsure!!🤣)
Don’t get me wrong, very happy about it. It’s just weird as in England where all my hikes have been up to now it’s not, so requires a different mindset.
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Very nice video about the trail. And what I particularly liked is the final section over Cow Hill. I want to do that too. I've seen so many videos of the WHW where people complain at the end about the long walk along the road towards Fort Williams, but so far no one has taken the alternative route. It looks really good :-) Thanks for the video!
@@anchaaquarius thank you for the kind comment. I had heard other hikers talk about the long road walk too, glad I took the alternative.
Another lovely vid of an interesting trail. Many thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks Jonathan, planning to walk it in April...thanks for your tips
Great time to walk it, no midges and minimal ticks. Enjoy sure you will have a great time.
Good times, good video. Hope you enjoyed your journey!
Fantastic video👍 Next May I will also walk it ⛰️⛺️😊
I will back up next May to walk the Great Glen Way, it’s a great time of year to walk in Scotland.
Good job, looking forward to walking with you on the next. Stay well and active.
Thanks, the next one is the Cleveland Way at the end of June, train tickets already booked.
Another great vid. Have watched a few folks who have done this trail. A kit list for this extended trail would really be appreciated if you have the time. 👍👍
Thank you, I am off on the Cleveland Way tomorrow and am thinking of doing a video on trail of my kit.
Hi we just found your videos love your content! We have signed up for the West Highland Way next year can't wait thanks very much for the insight!
You have to apply to do this trail?
Nice one Jonathan another cracking video. Thanks for filming, editing and taking us along. Amazing achievement to complete in 5 days, well done. Big thumbs up from me. Wishing you and yours all the best. Dave aka wackyswanderings
Watched a load of these vids in preparation for giving it a go with my daughter in September. By far the most enjoyable I've watched so far. No frills, just good honest footage and info. Who cares how you say a name place. We know where you mean. Well done Jon
Thank you so much. You will have a great time in September should be after the midges too. It really is a special walk.
Great video, that camp spot at the ruin cottage just off the tral is a cracker, just working through my trip footage. Its a great trail.
Certainly was, stream nearby shelter from the ruin, best spot for miles.
I enjoyed this one. Btw Is that a Z Packs Duplex tent by any chance?
You have a good eye, it is. Served me well through Scotland, England and Wales and the worst each can throw at me.
@@JonathanDowe Cheers for that, I am toying with the the idea of getting one myself purely for the space offered and weight savings. Can you shed any light on the hidden costs of posting, duties etc please? Thanks, Stuart
@@stushikesandrides there is a video done by Hounds of Howgate it’s call importing zpacks to the Uk ( ruclips.net/video/nhSiW8JePiA/видео.htmlsi=rrPh3VxFbfYwXRRM ), it’s a few years old but still valid. They do have a sale in Novembers which get a bit off but they are still expensive, but I don’t regret it.
Fantastic video really enjoy it as am hoping to do it in may what guide book did you use thanks 👍
Trailblazer it’s bloody excellent, make sure you get the latest version. If you are using a gps you can also download the waypoints too which is a nice touch
@@JonathanDowe thanks you 👍
Nice film. Your day 4 night after Bridge of Orchy was exactly the spot where I slept when I walked it, and you're right, it does give you a useful bit of shelter.
As a blow-in, it's taken me years to get used to the pronunciation of place names here, many of which are impossible to get by just reading them. In order, some of the ones you encountered are pronounced "Mull guy"; "Drimmen"; and "Tindrum".
It is a beauty of a spot, I just gave up on the pronunciation in the end which I think shows. Embarrassingly I was actually born in Stirling and lived the first eight years of my life in Scotland, I am being visited by one of my oldest friends in a couple of weeks and expect a fair amount of justified ribbing.
Nice video, brought back lots of memories of my time on the WHW. On every trail there's always someone you bump into carrying far too much weight!! 25kg yikes!
Thank you, I did feel so sorry for her. Even when I started I think my pack was 14kg, nowadays I try to keep weight as low as possible. It’s amazing how much difference even a small amount of weight can make over 20 miles in a day.
@@JonathanDowe can you do us a load out video?
@@chrisgibson5803 I am doing the Cleveland Way in June, I will look to do one for that - the kit will be the same.
Just decided to do the WHW about an hour ago and found your video. Any chance you could share where/how you chose your camping spaces? I cant get a permit (non left as i am thinking of going in 48hrs) and you mentioned it wasnt worth it and just arter the protected area there was a nice spot. Would be great if you could share them and save me trying to work out where to stop
Hi Paul, there are a load of nice spots after the protected area you will be spoilt for choice. I am used to wild camping in England which involves stealth and getting off the path. Most of the time I pitched right by the path and it was great. The two sites I would mention though are just as you go in the woods near Crainlarich there are a couple of beautiful sites with benches and the ruin of Ba Cottage on the moors before Kings House Hotel. The Ba Cottage one was probably my favourite waking up on the moor after the rain the day before and having it all to myself was special. You’ll have a great time.
Planning on 2025 for my 60th your video was very informative for the hike. Coming from the Northeastern Appalachian Mountains . It will be quite different. But nice to be on my ancestral soil.
Be well and Trail on!🥾
Thank you, it’s a lovely trail and with people from all parts of the world walking it. Because you can walk it in many ways, wild camp, campsites, b&b, baggage transfer etc etc you meet people with different daily objectives but all with something in common - completing the WHW. Enjoy your trip.
@@JonathanDowe thank you!! Wanted to legal wild camp so you video really tuned me in. Got the book you had also. Thank you so much for all the information!!
@@traceylasslett5514 just did another walk with a different guide book, not a patch on that one it’s really good.
You probably know, loch ness was physically joined to the appalacian mountains when the earth had one land mass Pangea. During the Highland clearances many Scots emigrated to the appalacian mountains.
@@andymcphie3008 thank you for that information! That makes sense now. ( My clan is Sinclair) .
I hiked the Appalachian Trail and the International Appalachian Trail is part of the WHW. I seem to going full circle with Hiking and ancestors.I still have much learn about my Ancestors soil.
Hello Jonathon, great video and wonderful scenery indeed! Quick question though, can you just pitch up anywhere along the trail or do all campers have to seek permission? Also, what was your pack weight roughly? Thanks 👍
You can pitch up anywhere in except a short section on Loch Lomond, but there are campsites or permit zone in that section, although if I was doing it again I would walk through this area and pitch up afterwards. My back weight on this hike was about 9kg excluding food and water (which you don’t need to carry much of). Hope that helps.
@@JonathanDowe thankyou Johnathon, thats great. Looking forward to going through your other videos and your new content 👍
From where ?
Milngavie is pronounced like mul-guy.
Not miln-gavie.
And, wild camping is mostly legal in Scotland but there are many places along the Loch Lomond sections of the walk where camping is prohibited except in winter. Due to 'dirty' camping becoming a huge issue, especially close to roads.
Hello Jonathan. Don't worry about the pronunciation of place names, most people in Scotland would just be happy that you came to our wee country and had a positive experience and maybe you'll tell your friends and they'll come too, it's good for our economy. As you probably know, most people in Scotland don't speak gaelic but most of our hills and mountains have gaelic names that the majority of Scots cant pronounce properly no matter what the pedants will tell you, if they weren't moaning about that it would be something else. Congratulations on finishing the trail and as we say in Scotland, haste ye back.
Thank you Raymond, I already plan to be back same time next year for the Great Glen and Ben Nevis. So many people have said oh I would like to do the West Highland Way and my answer is always the same “ what’s stopping you?”. I know wild camping adds nothing to the local economy, but I think I made up for it with my two meal stops a day, and such good food too. I know what you mean about Scots, don’t tell anyone but I was born in Stirling.
@@JonathanDowe You're welcome Jonathan. I'm the same as you, I'm a wild camper and I tend to eat and maybe have a couple of beers, and transport etc, it all adds up. I'm just glad you enjoyed yourself back in your homeland. You'll enjoy the Great Glen. All the best mate.
lol yeah good shout Raymond just pronounce things any way you like 🙈
hi jonathan great vid could you advise which tent you used subbed danny
Hi Danny, it’s a Zpacks Duplex, a palace after my Luna Solo and it’s 599g!
I will be doing a review of it at the end of the year, after I have had a full year of using it.
great vid jonathan last seven miles of loch lomond really tough i have to agree can i ask what tent you are useing on this trip
It a Zpacks Duplex in dirt colour, yes those last seven miles are hard.
Mool- gye
Drayman ?
You mean Drymen. Pronounced dri, as in drift, men. Dri-men.
A good video is let down by issues around place names, especially where there are people to ask. Mull-guy - (Milngavie) is just one well-known example but I am sure that the pronunciation of Drymen, Rowardennan, Inversnaid and Tyndrum could easily have been resolved by asking.
Yup lesson learned.
Easy mistake to make..you wanna try Welsh pronunciations spent years visiting the careddau before I found out its pronounced carn-ed-eye
@@robwithdogoutdoors1438 Yes, I am not saying it is not difficult but if you are visiting a town / village, where there are people to ask about the pronunciation of the name it is much simpler. Like you, when confronted by the names of physical features on a map, I am equally at sea. It is not easy to find someone when climbing A’Chrois to help with the pronunciation (I am still unsure!!🤣)
@@robwithdogoutdoors1438 of to do Offas Dyke later on the year, probably should get some practice in 😄
Would think a hiker would be happy that wild camping was legal. Not weirded out by it.
Don’t get me wrong, very happy about it. It’s just weird as in England where all my hikes have been up to now it’s not, so requires a different mindset.
jonathan you cannot camp on loch lom if it not on camp site it the only place in scot that you cannot wild camp
It’s only a section of Loch Lomond which requires a campsite after Rowardennan the restriction ends and you can wild camp.
Every town name wrong so far....switch off. Hope you made it but I won't see.
How childish