Introduction To The West Highland Way

[@inthehouse1960]

I love the Scottish people. Whenever I travel to the UK, I can't wait to get to Scotland and start joking and laughing with the Scotts. I've traveled all over the world and Scotland is my 'heart place'. I hope you make some great memories there that will last a lifetime. Blessings.

[@28105wsking]

Its so nice to see the Dearly Beloved walking with you. You are not alone anymore! You are with the whole famdamnbly! Have a wonderful fun time!

[@traveller9625]

Glad to see you in your happy place and with family. Two walkin and one ridin

[@jimdrude]

Welcome to Scotland. Hope you enjoy our wee country so much that you come again. And again!

[@katmalin]

Welcome to Scotland! I live in Edinburgh and have been watching your videos for years. So exciting to see what you make of our country! Enjoy! And haste ye back!

[@Sakrysta]

That opening music sting immediately had me grinning! 🥰

[@bernardlyons2422]

The only tune you could possibly start with. Brilliant.

[@celinelia8127]

@bernardlyons2422 what about bagpipes?!

[@bernardlyons2422]

@@celinelia8127 Well it could have started with “Scotland The Brave”, but that would have been a cliche.

[@sbc1t]

@@celinelia8127 Its a walking Song . that's why she used it .

[@h.b.4058]

My (then 85 years old) Dad and I did the WHW in 2022. I hope you love it as much as we did. We had literally every type of weather, but it was all worth it. ❤❤

[@christinejackson8542]

I'm in Decatur Alabama and thinking about Ya'll !!! U are amazing hiking like this at 6 mths pregnant. U go girl !!!

[@sheilam5991]

Thankful you are doing this with your husband. And so very excited to see this trail and adventure!

[@jimb0wie]

That’s pretty cool that you’re here in the UK hiking right now. :)

[@WainwrightWalksWiaLocalLad]

Welcome to the UK!

[@RustyMisterTwo]

The West Highland way was our first long distance hike in 2019. We watched your PCT videos to get an idea of how to prepare and what to pack. Ofcourse it is nothing like the PCT but it was a start nonetheless. We planned the PCT for the next year but COVID delayed us untill 2022. Due to forest fires we couldnt make it the last 20 miles to the monument at the end so we still have to go back to "finish" it. You are a real inspiration to us. Heading to Scotland this summer to hike part of the cape wrath trail and the Skye trail.

[@davidsykes5635]

Would be great if you could meet Claire Beare ( WildBeare) but I don’t know how to contact her.

[@pppantz]

Baby is already an international traveler!

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

Trying to get it in his/her blood early 🙌🏻

[@peteredwardcox]

Visited Scotland when I was 18, right after graduating high school, to visit my sister who was studying in Stirling for a semester. She had American friends who played in a band there who always opened their gigs with "And now, the Scottish national anthem" before playing "500 miles".

[@paisleyfamily5972]

This is great. The only thing better would be a comedic back and forth between your Alabama accent and a Scottish brogue.

[@debrahall902]

'Thank you from The Netherlands

[@taylormatson6281]

I did the WHW back in 2019 and it was the first multiday hike I ever did. I've been watching your videos for years now and am so excited to finally have a trail in common with you. So nostalgic to be seeing this trail again through your footage!

[@celinelia8127]

are you coming to eastern europe??

[@joebeman8000]

Ha!!! I saw it! 0:50 Great video, especially the opening with The Proclaimers song. Perfect! I totally empathize about the PF. I've had mine for 6 months. It's VERY hard to get rid of! Good luck to Rodney. I hope he get's relief soon.

[@betemp1]

hi dixie, i was 2 weeks befofe you on the trail. amazing.😊

[@wakingtheworld]

I was one week after and our mini bus driver spoke about this amazing young lady doing it who was 6 months pregnant!

[@peterfagley772]

I have recently watched several of my favorite UK KZbinrs hike this trail, really nice to discover you and husband are doing the same. Its probably one of the nicest hikes you will ever do, enjoy!!

[@LiNa-yl8qs]

Hi, could you recommend UK outdoor KZbinrs? I'd be highly interested! Thanks in advance!

[@peterfagley772]

There are many UK KZbinrs I can recommend: Kent Survival, Simon the Broke in the Woods, Fellmandave, Paul Messer, Andrew Park, to name my favorites in no particular order. They are honest, smart, offer excellent photography and very knowledgeable about their equipment and hiking/camping locations throughout the UK.

[@N0C0MPLY]

@@LiNa-yl8qs The Blot outdoors show is an absolute must!

[@0808anwar]

​@@LiNa-yl8qs if i may add, Pat Dickinson channel

[@derekhughes4028]

Can’t wait to watch these episodes.

[@bateptesicus]

Scotland, my beloved land!❤ I will be doing WHW this august!

[@pyronymph-868]

That little frog🐸 looked just like our Pacific Tree Frogs! I have always wondered about my ancestry, having been adopted. I've been told I look Irish, and have the Celtic hair type. Can't wait to see the rest of this trip!

[@Billthrasher]

Funny..the kids not even born yet and been more places than me lol😅

[@FlipperNS]

I don't know about the haggis but definitely try all the scotches and Walkers Cheese & Onion crisps!

[@deadkennedy9140]

It's great to have you in us :)

[@robyncroft1112]

Enjoy. I walked the WHW this spring.

[@vinniedayhikerb4977]

BACK ON TRAIL!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤

[@joshubrook324]

I’m silly excited that your here in the uk 😂 I think our wildlife is a bit different to what your used to (mountain lions/crocs etc) The WHW is on my radar for 2026 as this year I’m doing the coastal path around Isle of Wight then Camino in 2025 don’t think I’ll ever get to USA for your amazing thru hikes but never say never Hope you get to have some iron bru & whisky for later once mini Dixie has safely arrived ❤

[@EvaNichols28]

Thank you for sharing! ❤ So exciting to come along. I think you are inspiring me to put it on my list for next summer- I did the Camino in 2009 and loved it. Now I’m over 70, but I think this is still doable for me, especially since I can break it up in smaller distances and stay at inns etc. along the way. I’m excited to see how you progress as you get to the elevations. Enjoy and be gentle with yourself!

[@wakingtheworld]

I'm 69 and did it earlier this year. If you're going solo as I did, you'd have to take care along certain stretches of Loch Lomond. Tricky underfoot with a lot of ups & downs though scenically stunning. (Trekking poles a must). Warrants scrambling at one point. But the whole trip was fantastic. Challenging but fun with superlative scenery.

[@EvaNichols28]

@@wakingtheworldthank you - it goes on the list for next year!❤

[@wakingtheworld]

@@EvaNichols28 They say May is a good month to do it.... Accomm is cheaper, the midges haven't surfaced, the temperature is warmer though not too hot and rainfall is lowest. It's can be a busy month along the route though! Enjoy. I'd love to do it again though have my eye on The Great Glen Way which is a continuation of this one from Fort William to Inverness. Less taxing & shorter though feel the scenery would be a big samey looking at the same loch! The WHW had beauty in spades and at every turn.

[@WOV49]

Funny, that accent doesn’t sound Scottish. .

[@vailpcs4040]

OMG!! Glengoyne (valley of the wild geese)! I was there in 2016. It's the Southernmost Highlands distillery and the road in front of it is the legal demarcation between Highlands and Lowlands. They distill on one side of the road and age on the other. That's awesome! Edit: Haggis is delicious.

[@OldfieldSo]

Welcome to Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@jungggledave]

Welcome to the UK. It’s strange to watch you walking a trail I know well. The scenery gets better day by day.

[@Lynx5371]

My daughter and husband moved to Milngavie from Nashville with then only grandchild. The second was born there. They had to come back during the pandemic. We all loved Scotland and was sad that they had to leave. My husband hiked the whole AT and walked from Milngavie to Loch Lomond and back during his only 2 week trip. He then drove with my son-in- law to Fort Williams and climbed Ben Nevis. I plan to take a couple of my friends to Milngavie next summer. It was fun for me because during their time there, I was there for about 12 weeks total. I was really able to get a real feel of daily Scottish life. I made some great friendships there through my daughter.

[@PlantPapaJohn]

Looks amazing! I Look forward to watching.

[@RodMurray]

Will be watching every moment of your adventure! We walked the WHW one year ago this month and had incredibly hot and sunny conditions, by Scottish standards, all 8 days. When you get to Loch Lomond you will have to make a big decision- Upper or Lower! Either way, enjoy the journey!

[@RodMurray]

@@TheMcspreaderI bet she is chuckling! But I meant beyond Rowardennan where there’s a choice to be Loch side or on the upper forestry road.

[@aileengum6333]

​@RodMurray which do you recommend?

[@RodMurray]

@@aileengum6333 We took the high route which is, they say, easier on the body, especially “older” knees. One in our group had knee issues which certainly had a bearing on our decision. The low route is much more technical I was told.

[@wakingtheworld]

@@RodMurray The low route is a bugger but scenically superior! The thing is, no one can avoid the continuing tricky sections beyond Inversnaid!

[@wakingtheworld]

Now if I'd watched this one first instead of last, my Q's would have been answered. You did book with Macs Adventures & you were the lass my mini bus driver talked about cos you did it the week before me! (He drove you from Glencoe Ski Centre to the village). Small world. Again, editing on this one superlative; the little clips of nature/the animals & your music choice. (3:05 I filmed those wee froglets as well!) The whole vid is a joy to watch. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy, Dixie. P.S. If ever you guys fancy coming back to Scotland, there's the continuation (though less strenuous) - 76 miles of the Great Glen Way from Fort William to Inverness. On my 'to do' list!

[@verdexj160]

Genealogy, good to hear others care about where they come from.

[@RangerJay904]

I'm starting on 9/5/24 can't waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaait

[@tbusterutube]

Awesome. If you guys come to Idaho let us know.

[@GMiller75]

Aww welcome to our bonnie Scotland. You are gonna love this trail. Take the high route along loch lomond. It will be much easier for you with you being pregnant.There is a vantage point on the high route that overlooks the loch.

[@cindyobrien9794]

I look forward to your vlog. I dream of doing WHW, I am 68. I think I could do it, slowly.

[@wakingtheworld]

Well I'm slow (not too slow!) but steady. I planned it over 8 days. If you can cope with long distances & hours of walking that's a good start. The Loch Lomond section is a bugger but if you can afford extra time to do it (i.e. more accomm costs) then its doable. No way you can break up the last day though - Kinlochlevan to Fort William is 15 miles with no habitation en route. You meet lots of lovely people along the way and the scenery is out-of-this-world. You can wear your cloth badge with pride after you complete. It IS quite an achievement esp if you're older.

[@chriscon8463]

Cool video! It looks like you had a great time there. In college, we had a Scottish festival every year & I tried haggis. It was actually not bad!

[@topfloorboy]

Welcome to Scotland. Apologies for the "summer". Hope you're all getting on ok. 👍

[@thevoyageur2152]

Great vlog. If U like Scotland U should come to Cape Breton and/or Newfoundland Canada.

[@jayclay1]

I hiked the West highland way a few years back, had a great time.

[@산림치유]

멋진 하이킹 영상을 통해 스코틀랜드의 자연풍경을 볼 수 있어 기쁨니다. 몸과 마음의 힐링을 위한 멋진 영상 감사합니다.

[@sf808yt]

I'm literally a few days back from my second time doing this walk. For two whole days I had "500 Miles" stuck in my head!

[@veinberga]

It's so exiting! I started following you few years ago when I was backpacking in USA. I think you were doing PCT at the time. For the last few years I am now living in Scotland, Tyndrum, which you will be passing!! 🎉 Do you know when you will be passing it? I work in Green Welly Stop (most hikers stop here - we have food, drink, laundry machines and outdoor store full with blister plasters 😄). It would be really great to meet you! I owe you big thanks for incouraging me to go outdoors! 😊

[@inthehouse1960]

Awe. This brought tears to my eyes. I hope you are able to meet up. Blessings.

[@955lamar]

Thanks Dixie. Great video. My wife and I, and another couple are hiking inn to inn September 1-9. We booked with Hillwalk Tours.

[@DartmoorPaul]

Welcome to UK Dixie & I think you’ve chosen a lovely trail. Interestingly Im watching HuckWasHere, whom I followed on PCT, hiking towards you sobo on the West Highland Way trail this week😊 Happy Hiking 🙂

[@TheWanderingStone]

Perfect timing! I'll be starting my walk on the 15th of July and these videos will surely be helpful to me!

[@wakingtheworld]

So how did it go? I did mine 2-9th July. Loved it!

[@columbiariveracupuncturell4942]

Great videos! Thank you. Heading to WHW in 2 weeks. So excited and great info to use. Was wondering what brand of umbrella you used. I’ve ordered 2 of them - neither works! Thank you in advance.

[@unixpro2]

Hello from Ohio, I’m jealous. I love Scotland and hope to return there someday.

[@VeritySnatch]

sorry about the weather some years we get a summer, some we dont.

[@toocleanpappas5397]

Can't believe you went without me! Probably didn't get my message eh?

[@diddums86]

Now I feel sad and nostalgic. Never walked the Highland trail, but I lived in Edinburgh a few decades back. Good times. Could someone add a list of the soundtrack, please? What's the second piece, the classical one? It's beautiful!

[@OldNavajoTricks]

A nursing Haggis, the only thing the Honeybadger fears.

[@raythompson1976]

Wow, must have just missed you on the trail - was walking WHW as part of Landend to John o'Groats trail...

[@davidsykes5635]

Welcome to the UK ! 🌈

[@tiger2too18]

Hope you have some midge / mosquito repellent! Good soundtrack. Enjoy with your husband. Whenever my wife and I would get to a kissing gate - a u shaped path with a swinging small gate - we would have a kiss . Try it out!

[@emmytolkein3320]

My family heritage is confirmed Scotts/Irish and the Scotts were sent to America for their fighting prowess to claim land in the new America

[@arionisonlineleeirlhookert3757]

Yeah! Dixie back on trail! Excited to follow all 2.5 of you!

[@28105wsking]

Great video! Tip: plan a rest day at the begining and end of each trip for recovery.

[@CrimeVid]

to be followed by a deep fried Mars Bar, or two !

[@28105wsking]

Yes!

[@anne1709_]

This is my first time watching one of your videos and since you flew KLM I was expecting a Dutch accent (I am Dutch myself) so I was very confused for a hot second haha

[@kristymoore7052]

Ok, TMI question as I’m older, your Mom may understand. Why I would rather be in the woods and not trekking from town to town with town food would be… what happens when something doesn’t agree with you? Coming from a person who literally wore depends on a very popular segment of a very popular CA trail in fear of only that.

[@wr1120]

It's nice that you want to see where your ancestors lived but I can tell you what they gave up in order to come to America: unemployment, poverty, work in the coal mines and factories, and unhealthy diets. Plus the tales of promise of unlimited opportunities in the New World.

[@amberbydreamsart5467]

So exciting!! I’m doing a regular vacation in England and wales right now myself! I hope to do the WHW myself either next year or the year after in April - I’m a warm natured girl so I’m hoping the chiller weather and lower crowds will make it a perfect time for me. I absolutely love the views of the British countryside - the treeless rolling hills is something I’d never seen quite like this before and I think it’s so charming. It’s fun to do a long trail where you stroll through cute little towns, too

[@lauriekern-gk3im]

Have a wonderful time. I did the Speyside Way, The Dava Way, and part of the Moray Way as a big loop 2 + years ago. Enjoy the food, Scotch, and the midges.

[@AcuJamey]

I thought the hubby's gait looked a bit off. Then you mention the plantar fascia issue he's having early on. I know people love the ice water bottle rolling trick on the soles, but I'd see if rolling the calf muscles helps. Find the knots and work them gently.

[@TheMadmacs]

welcome to scotland, i hope its all going well. ps. if you make it back to glasgow, go for a walk in kelvingrove park.

[@LWilli5]

OK, who else shouted "Coo" at 4:47? I made a hot water crust raised meat pie once, but it surely didn't look as good as those. Yum

[@michaelnoel-v6f]

Were the bugs bad? What time of year is this? Never mind. Thanks for sharing

[@msears101]

The best midge protection (and they will get worse) is avon skin so soft.

[@sylviabos4196]

So cool!! Because of you I started hiking. All of your hikes are on my to-do-list. And now, for the first time, you’re doing a hike I did last year! Have fun and enjoy! Greeting from the Netherlands!

[@stattravels8109]

We LOVE Scotland and did some hiking too. Loved your video!

[@janefreeman995]

Have to put on Smidge 1/2 hour before heading out.

[@judithpearson3968]

Great to see you and Rodney out hiking the West Highland Way in Scotland. Never seen any of the country, so I am looking forward to this hike. I think the Hiking Rev is finishing up his trek in Ireland, so those videos should start soon too. I'm loving it. Hang in there. Your body will get used to it. Take care. Stay safe. See you tomorrow.

[@mattmatthewmatchuu]

i should do it in late aug

[@mollziki]

Welcome to Scotland!! I hope you get some decent weather on your hike, it hasn't been the best lately but that's Scotland for you! The west highland way can be deceptively hard on the feet - it's not a technically difficult hike but because it is mostly on a hard surface it makes your feet sore!

[@anotherother]

Graham and Andre play the Volunteers Arms in Fort William pretty often, definatly worth catching, saw em 3 times last autumn.Also think the Ben Nevis bar has live music on Tuesdays too. Enjoy your wanders

[@martinmoss317]

I'm hoping to do this walk in September, camping as much as I can. You were getting your luggage shuttled by the looks of things. How did that go?

[@BafMilr052]

Haggis. “We’re here for it. We want to see it.” 😂 So happy to watch another trail vlog from Dixie. Missed these!

[@EdwardPaschich-ui4nn]

I have seen hikers in the heat wearing hoodies. It seems like it would be hotter with a hoodie on. What do you recommend?

[@daenathedreamy9053]

Steak Pie is the best food for a hiker's hunger and I LOVE having it when we're in the UK.

[@equanimity4lifelonglearnin216]

I absolutely love how you capture the beauty and the hard work and talking to animals.. all the things I love about hiking!

[@jimmyjenkins9240]

This is exciting! Happy to see you out on the trail and it’s great to see Rodney with you! It will be interesting to see what you discover about your Scottishness!

[@s.s.2048]

Will find the Scottish people incredibly hospitable no matter what. If you mention that you and Rodney have Scottish ancestors you will find people asking if you need a ride, buying you lunch, you name it. They/we never forget our own.

[@BeeAFinch]

Have a great time! I walked the way twice and can not wait to do it again❤

[@Jupp158]

We were also on the trail two years ago. My wife was also 6 months pregnant 😂

[@grumpygord]

I enjoy your videos but they would be better without the irritating music. I don't know why video producers think that everything needs a music background. Embrace the beauty in silence.

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

We have an alternate channel with no music/no talking videos - feel free to check that out! The group being played is from Scotland so it’s rather fitting and it’s a song that backpackers have sang for years on trail ☺️

[@ashleighgray6298]

Each to their own, I loved the music! Maybe I’m biased as a Scot 😂

[@grumpygord]

I have very poor hearing and wear hearing aids so as soon as there is background music it drowns out the audio. I also have a situation where music is just garbled sound to me and is mostly irritating. Some music is worse than others but all music is just sound to me. I mostly avoid places where there is music. I realize that I am very much in the minority.

[@kiltedpiper98]

We did the W. Highland Way for honeymoon over 25 years ago. I look forward to the rest of the series.

[@alangauld6079]

Nice to have you in my neck of the woods. The weather this year has been very cool and wet so I hope it didn't spoil your trip. I look forward to the rest of the videos.

[@NotYou9311]

I am mostly Scots, myself...with a bit of Wanker (I'm sorry, English) mixed in. I'm very enthused for this video series (of yours). Can't wait for the next episode ! Happy trails !

[@Celairiel]

Thank you for sharing these shorter big trails. I've gone back and forth on how much I want to do a major through that takes months and seeing these great other options is inspiring.

[@Logintoourlife]

Skin so soft is an other good one against the little devils. Have a good hike, Terri and Stephen.