Wind and Rain Along 'The Way'

As Emma nears the completion of the grueling 95 mile West Highland Way from the central lowlands to the remote highlands of Scotland we arrange to meet up at Blackwater Bunkhouse in Kinlochleven, the penultimate overnight stop along the way.
The path uses many ancient roads, including Drovers’ roads, military roads and old coaching roads and is traditionally walked from south to north and passes through a wide range of different terrains, ranging from lowland moors, through dense woodland and rolling hills, to high mountainous regions. On her journey she has teamed up with an old work colleague (Bill Lowe) and his friend (Lawrence Barclay), both of whom aim to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support by completing the walk.

We meet up initially on Saturday evening at the comfortable bunkhouse in Kinlochleven before setting off early on Sunday morning for the final 14 mile slog to Fort William and completion (see guide map above).

Leaving Kinlochleven the military road climbs steeply out of Loch Leven valley to about 250m and continues to rise, though not as steeply, to the summit of the Lairigmor, just over 300m. After Lairigmor the mountains close in, and the valley and decimated trees are all that you see stretching out in front as we try to take in the vistas through the head on wind and unrelenting showers. Eventually the path enters the enclosed comfort of a forest and we welcome its cover. After a 2 mile climb through the forest we arrive at an opening in the tree canvas which introduces us to our first glimpse of Fort William, which is sitting enticingly in a south westerly direction at the end of a very long downhill forest road through Glen Nevis with the majestic Ben Nevis looming large in our near horizon.

As the end is reached at Fort William the triumphant threesome are captured on celluloid for posterity (see above) before a night of well deserved relaxation in the comfort of the towns finest hostelries accompanied by numerous fine Scottish beers and whisky.