Introduction To The West Highland Way

[@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 .

[@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!

[@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!

[@traveller9625]

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

[@Sakrysta]

That opening music sting immediately had me grinning! 🥰

[@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!

[@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.

[@daenathedreamy9053]

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

[@jimdrude]

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

[@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. ❤❤

[@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".

[@pppantz]

Baby is already an international traveler!

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

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

[@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.

[@WainwrightWalksWiaLocalLad]

Welcome to the UK!

[@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!

[@sheilam5991]

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

[@christinejackson8542]

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

[@bateptesicus]

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

[@CChao-ev9gz]

Finished it one month ago🥳 only two days in rain! Beautiful

[@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.

[@jungggledave]

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

[@jayclay1]

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

[@equanimity4lifelonglearnin216]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@LoginToOurLife]

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

[@OldfieldSo]

Welcome to Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@malachitemoondance1086]

I love that you are visiting Scotland and the UK ❤️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🇬🇧. I hope you all have a lovely time. 🐑 🐏 🐑

[@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.

[@kiltedpiper98]

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

[@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.

[@franingram17]

During the period of the Highland Clearances in the late 18th/ early 19th centuries many of the evictees emigrated to America, many settling in the Southern states. This could account for the higher percentage of Scottish ancestry in your genes. Isn’t it fascinating! I’m about to do mine and can’t wait for the results.

[@debrahall902]

'Thank you from The Netherlands

[@djbreakfast]

My first ever thru hike was the WHW a few years ago and a lot of the prep I did was by watching your videos Dixie!! What a full circle experience 💞🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@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.

[@lauraeinsalo7812]

All the feels! I did this trail back in 2019 as my first ever solo hike and it was AWESOME! Wet and muddy at times but pure awesomeness.

[@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.

[@redrunner]

I love it you have come over this side of the pond to do WHW. I have run a race along the first half of the way. And when I hiked it you stayed at the same hotel as me when i did in April. I pulled out at Kingshouse. But I will return in September to finish the last 40 miles.

[@unixpro2]

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

[@vinniedayhikerb4977]

BACK ON TRAIL!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤

[@deadkennedy9140]

It's great to have you in us :)

[@jamesonstalanthasyu]

I hope we get a gear list from you two later on.

[@arionisonlineleeirlhookert3757]

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

[@andrewhowie4217]

Great to see the beginning of this journey for you all, completed it last September. I'll look forward to watching the rest. Atb

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@BafMilr052]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@sfchaney]

Your videos are very timely for me. I am from Arkansas and will be starting my WHW hike on August 22. Looking forward to it, when i get done with the WHW i plan to hike over from Ft. William to Skye and do the Skye Trail. Following your always great videos with eager anticipation for my own hike. Take care and may the Lord watch over every foot placement.

[@BeeAFinch]

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

[@davidsykes5635]

Welcome to the UK ! 🌈

[@missiravenne]

I love the addition of the Game of Thrones soundtrack music. Awesome choice!

[@InkcredibleScribbles]

Four years ago you inspired me to walk the West Highland Way. Best week of my life! It's wonderful to see you in the UK walking this trail. I've since had two babies and, gosh, can't imagine doing it pregnant! Take care of yourself and avoid the midges ...!

[@jimb0wie]

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

[@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!

[@marksisson7468]

On the trail again! Thank you! Our hiking is on hold as we are now full time caregivers for aging parents. We’ll get our hiking fix through you…for now!

[@tomellis3218]

This flog posting hiking in Scotland is amazing . ❤😊

[@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!

[@MRR_Shadowolf]

Looking forward to following your latest your journey on West Highland Way!

[@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.

[@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.

[@verdexj160]

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

[@2wheels2feet]

Great to see you guys in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 I walked the WHW in 2022 and I picked up a lot great tips on trail walking from your channel 👍 have a great trip and enjoy the scenery 😊🏔️ ☀️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸

[@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!

[@raythompson1976]

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

[@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

[@robyncroft1112]

Enjoy. I walked the WHW this spring.

[@tbusterutube]

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

[@tomgroenbeck7620]

I love the weather. Everything is lush and green. I'm living in CA now for 19 years, we had the last rain (sprinkle) sometimes in April. Everything is bone dry and dusty, can't wait for the next rain.

[@davideverett5214]

Good thing there's no Sun ☀️ in Scotland, Not many shady spots!

[@garrygillies8657]

Welcome to Scotland!! Hope you enjoy/ enjoyed the walk 😃

[@ForrixTV]

Glad to see you do the whw My shop isn't far from the start and I actually had an invasion of small frogs that was equally hilarious as it was terrifying. Looking forward to bingeing atb

[@Buszkraftowski]

A few years ago I had the dream to walk the WHW. The WHW is Scotland in a nutshell. A lot of typical Scottish culture and landscape can be experienced a long the way. This dream helped me to get fit and more active to be able to walk this trail. In 2023 I finally made my dream come true and I fell in love with Scotland. Thx for this video, it brought back many good memories. "My heart's in the Highlands!" (Robert Burns)

[@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!

[@PlantPapaJohn]

Looks amazing! I Look forward to watching.

[@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 🙂

[@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!

[@isabelledrolet4297]

The Proclaimers at the start, brilliant! That song, plus the fact that they're Scottish... so spot on!

[@austinbrown709]

Thanks!

[@christineb8148]

Gorgeous! I am excited for this series! I hope the aches and pains let up on y'all a bit and you were able to enjoy it.

[@Bowlin01]

Awesome! Great to see you this side of the pond, I hope both your's and Rodney's aches & pains cleared up. 👍. Stay healthy, hope your pregnancy goes well

[@diannegolubski6645]

oh, this is gonna be awesome. Love Scotland. Definitely on my bucket list.

[@rjhikes6248]

I love the way Aaron put your logo on the start monument. Have fun y’all! 🥰👍

[@PSnGa]

Can't wait to see more of this one! Would absolutely love to do this trail one day. Might even could talk the wife into this. PLEASE make it look awesome (what am I saying. You always make the trails look awesome!!) 🥰

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

You should!

[@stattravels8109]

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

[@melonydodson8725]

Aw man, this trail has been on my "list" for years! So looking forward to following your journey! And you are so inspiring, taking this on at 6 months pregnant! I hope that Rodney's foot gets better and that your body is able to adjust to hiking while growing a human! 😉

[@ShanOutdoors]

Your video made me so nostalgic for my own walks of the WHW. Such a wonderful place with amazing people! Have a wonderful time! It’s truly a walk to remember!

[@TicaHikes]

I live in The Netherlands and love hiking in Scotland. People are very friendly and chattie.

[@wanderingacademic9827]

This brings back memories of my own WHW in 2019. Enjoy!

[@robopecha]

loving the musics!

[@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!

[@DyanEsoap]

Love this!

[@TheTravlingirl]

My favorite hike! Be ready for day 4……🥰🥰🥰

[@daniellebrown99]

This is so exciting! I’m Canadian but claim 35% Scottish ancestry and dream of visiting Scotland some day. My husband has a strong connection to Scotland too, as his mom and dad are both of Scottish descent. I can’t wait to see more!

[@Berry_N]

Kinda funny that just this morning I watched Huck Was Here finish where you just started. Enjoy the hike!

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

Welcome to the UK Expect Rain and maybe some snow. Yes the midges are a stuff off nightmares, but I'm sure you will find that out for yourself. Apart from all that I know you will have a great time and will love beautiful Scotland.

[@joshubrook324]

& hail / sun/ hell & high water and everything in between … if you don’t like the weather just wait half hr it’s bound to change 😂

[@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.