SCOTLAND'S WEST HIGHLAND WAY (unexpected challenges on our first day)

[@ShaunPaulJohnston]

Good stuff you two and welcome back to Scotland. I think a lot of people really underestimate the WHW, or try to rush it. Because people have done other long distance walks they think it’ll be easier than it actually is. Unsure exactly why it is that way, of course the Scottish weather, constantly changing terrain, the weight you carry, it all contributes, but even after doing it myself 7 times, I still get loads of blisters and ligament issues. My recommendation to people considering it. If you’re an average walker I recommended pacing yourself and doing about 10-12 miles per day. Do the trip over about 7-10 days, 8 is about ideal for me. The first few days your body will be in pain but then it’ll acclimate to it more. - Get Compedes for blisters and replace every couple of days. - Change socks every 5 miles roughly and rub in some oil during that switch. - Carry less food and gear than you think, the walk is popular and you have options pretty much the whole way. Honesty boxes, villages and more. - Wild camp wherever you can but make sure you have a midge head net at the very minimum

[@ShaunPaulJohnston]

I just finished The East Highland Way, if you enjoyed the WHW then it’s something for you two to consider. It’s a lot less known but definitely worth it, but for that one you really need to plan as there’s nowhere near the level of places to get stuff along the way. My videos for that are going up as we speak so you can get a rough idea 😉

[@The_American_Rambler]

Really appreciate this video. I’m planning to do it in 2025 with my son. I like you have been to Scotland and fell in love with it. This video made me literally weep with anticipation. There’s something about the place that captures you in the deepest places of your soul. Thanks again!

[@vanhallaadventures]

Go for it!

[@brigidspencer5123]

I really admire you Crystal! I feel for your physical challenges because I similar ones like a degenerative disc in my spine, I have flat feet instead of high arches, etc., every year there’s a new challenge. I will be 60 soon so I’m getting quite the collection of ailments 😂, but like you I never let that stop me. You’re so fortunate that you have a supportive husband who goes along with you unlike mine who just wants to be a couch potato. I do know from past experiences that hiking poles are very handy going uphill! Plan on doing the Camino Portuguese, St. Olav’s Way that I learned about when I visited Uppsala, Sweden, etc.😊 I plan to do these within my physical limits, meaning slow. Keep up the great videos!❤️❤️❤️

[@Peoriahiker]

Good to see you back “on the road.” Looking forward to your journey. Be safe.

[@vanhallaadventures]

Thank you ☺️ you too!

[@brigidspencer5123]

Regarding moving to Scotland you might google how to move to Scotland from the US. When I visited Scotland several years ago I stopped by their immigration office to ask a similar question but because I was born in Europe (this before Brexit) and am Canadian it would be easier for me than if I was American. Of course requirements always change so getting updated information so if you get an email address for Scottish immigration you can ask them directly. Good luck!🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@MaylesTrails]

Scottish immigration?! 😂 Might be quite difficult to find an email address for that! I'm sure you meant UK immigration, just made me laugh

[@brigidspencer5123]

​@@MaylesTrails😂 Your reading comprehension is certainly poor. Like I said I actually visited Scottish immigration not UK. Even if you Google it it will bring to the correct page with the email!😂😂 Your comment is very rude, arrogant and uncalled for.

[@MaylesTrails]

I didn't mean to sound rude, sorry. I live in the UK. I'm not saying that you can't find immigration advice in Scotland, just that you're going to have to apply to UK immigration.

[@tonypaddler]

Very enjoyable video, thanks very much for that 👍

[@Rodina11]

Thank you for sharing your adventures

[@wakingtheworld]

Last vid for the night - It is 2.45am here! Love your cinematography, music choices, editing & the little things you filmed along the way as well as your thoughts & commentary, Crystal.... Hope I've spelled your name right. I've now finished re-walking the entire WHW with you, ending with the start! And given the dosh, I'd do it all again next year...or mebee somewhere different. Your Great Glen vids will be next!

[@vanhallaadventures]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@camphervan2398]

You guys do great videos! We are doing the WHW in the Spring and your videos did a fantastic job helping us get ready for this exciting adventure. Thank you for all of your very well done videos!!

[@vanhallaadventures]

That’s great! We’re so glad our videos were helpful. Have fun!

[@summit_two_sea_outdoors]

Really enjoyed your video 😊 we hike as a couple and enjoy adventuring together 😁 liked and subscribed 👍🏼

[@vanhallaadventures]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@McConnachy]

Thank you for the video. Glengoyne is a good dram. You pronunciations were fine, thank you for taking an interest in Scotland and the WHW

[@vanhallaadventures]

Thank you! 😃

[@Skyemansthoughts]

Great video's. As a Scot i enjoy watching these type of video's whether it be Hiking, motorbiking or driving through Scotland to see peoples reactions to the ever changing beautiful scenery, history and of course the 4 seasons in 1 day scenatio!! Im glad you're alternating hard days with easier days as you'll benefit from it, especially then you get to Glencoe area and take on the " devils staircase " , but from then on its downhill all the way, which Brian will be pleased about. There are going to be challenges ahead but with you able to encourage each other along the way you'll breeze it. There is one lesser known walk on the Isle of Skye takes you from top to bottom ( or vice versa ) with places to stop along the way if you so wish. The most beautiful scenery along the way as a bonus. Its not a long walk but there are a couple of challenging sections if you take the Cuillin mountains route to Elgol. If you ever decide its something you'd condider i would advise on booking a few months in advance as Skye is very popular all year round. Beannachd leat ( Good luck )

[@Merbella]

Yeah! Another adventure to follow ❤ happy trails 😊

[@tresannrn8454]

How great you Guys!!! I’m looking so forward to seeing all that you see!! Thank you for taking us along!!❤

[@vanhallaadventures]

More to come! Thank you for watching and coming along for the ride :)

[@agalpin7025]

I have followed you all through your Camino and now this. But I just laughed so hard when you said you bought 20 pairs of shoes. After watching 100’s of videos of the Camino I am sure I bought 20-30 pairs of shoes!!! I leave for the Camino August 15, 2023. With one pair of shoes and a pair of sandals. I have loved all your videos and you have been a huge inspiration! I am looking forward to doing the Coast to Coast in England and the West Highland Trail together in the next year or so after my Camino. Keep pressing forward one glorious step at a time! I hope Brian enjoyed his many “wee drams of Whisky”!!!

[@albamenzi4220]

Yeahh crystal, good to see again .

[@vanhallaadventures]

HI!!! Thank you :)

[@alexandrawessel4717]

i watched quite a few of your videos including the camino ones but this one is extra sweet! Love seeing you two together

[@vanhallaadventures]

Yay! Thank you!

[@yvonnebirch6026]

It is good to see you on the trail again Crystal ! With your buddy this time. I look forward to your posts from that gorgeous country ! I wish you both happy trails and healthy feet ! Love from California 💕🌷

[@user-qe2cj5tl7d]

Awe I loved this video!!! I love that you set an intention for your trip ❤️ Truly cathartic watching you two…. I wish you the very best on your World Walk 😊…. I have a feeling you’ll succeed 😊… Love and Light ❤

[@lizwallace273]

This is so awesome! We did the WHW in April about a month before you and this brings back such wonderful memories! We felt very similar to Brian at the end of that first day. We ate at the Clachan and went straight to bed! For us, every day got better. (Fewer scary road walks, for one thing.) I can't wait for your next episode!

[@vanhallaadventures]

Aw that's so wonderful to hear! How did you like the Clachan? We really enjoyed that meal. I still dream of the mustard 'gravy'...

[@lizwallace273]

@@vanhallaadventures We loved it! We were there on a Friday night and it was packed!

[@justzachandkaitlan]

This looks like a great walk! Nice video of the Scottish landscape

[@beeswanky]

Couldn’t click the notification fast enough. Continued thanks for these videos. Blessings to YOU!

[@vanhallaadventures]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@wendymartin8147]

I too have issues with Boots Crystal, so I wear trail runners come rain or shine. Poor B, he’ll soon get Camino fit 🦵💪😂…just keep taking the whiskey 🤪. Really enjoyed your video. Can’t wait to do this walk myself. Buen Camino

[@vanhallaadventures]

HAHA! I don't think I will ever wear boots unless I am actually on Mt Everest lol. My ankles are just NOT having it! Now I know to give B whisky after a walk lol

[@johnscot1]

Whisky. Whiskey is Irish 🙂!

[@spectacularscotland]

Great video. I’m doing the WHW in late April into May this year, cannot wait.

[@raewebb6365]

Enjoyed this immensely and cannot wait for more!! Unbelievable about your hikers UGH

[@TheAtanyrate]

I was there in mid to late May. Those yellow bushes were so fragrant! I ended up thinking all the hand soaps in W/C had the scent too. Beautiful time of year. We had little to no rain. Hope you did as well!

[@billyharden9316]

I like you two already and this is my first vlog.👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸

[@vanhallaadventures]

Aw thank you!

[@IvelisseBerges]

Love watching your videos. They inspire me to hopefully someday go on a trek adventure of my own. Loved your trail shoes? What brand & style are they?

[@raoulduke1604]

Great video, looking forward to following your journey. I'm hiking the WHW in September, can't wait !!👍

[@vanhallaadventures]

We have LOVED it!!! The views keep getting better! You're going to have such a great time :)

[@gokhantravel8864]

Hi Crystal, your walk is looking great. As always, of course, foot problems.😃 I hope everything goes well. Take care of yourselves. Gökhan ( Coco )

[@saxgoddess25]

I love the guy that's staring at you at 18:51. Hahaha! "Bloody Americans. What are they up to now?"

[@vanhallaadventures]

😂🤣😂

[@foreverirish132]

This is lovely to see 😊 someday I’ll get there too 💚

[@vanhallaadventures]

Thank you :) We trust you will too!

[@billyharden9316]

It doesn’t matter how you say it we don’t care as long as you enjoy it.👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸

[@vanhallaadventures]

Thank you for saying that. We had another vlog about Scotland and some people left some nasty comments about how we tried to pronounce things. We are doing our best but my hearing (crystal) is not great so I have a hard time picking up on languages/accents/etc.

[@billyharden9316]

@@vanhallaadventures you always get keyboard gangsters we are not all perfect linguists.👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸⛺️

[@billyharden9316]

@@vanhallaadventures we are not all perfect. 😉👍⛺

[@derekhughes4028]

The food in The Clachan is delicious.

[@vanhallaadventures]

It sure is!!

[@markwilliamson9140]

Wish I could come walk with you both , it would be so good. 👍

[@vanhallaadventures]

We would LOVE that! When I have some treks planned I will put out a post :)

[@markwilliamson9140]

@@vanhallaadventures sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet 👍

[@TheTravlingirl]

I’m heading to Scotland in august for the WHW- where did you get your tiny Nalgene bottles? Great idea!!!! Thanks for your content!

[@vanhallaadventures]

Hi, thanks for watching! The Nalgene bottles were purchased on REI.com. Have a great trek!

[@JimBobele]

Did the WHW last year on a 8 day itinerary and this brings back some memories. Yeah, the first day isn't that easy. Ok, not so many miles but the body needs to get used to it. I also felt quite exhausted at the end of the day but it was all worth it. But some Guinness at the Clachans with some fish 'n chips brought back all my animal spirits. I also bought a 18year small whiskey bottle at Glengoyne bit I carried it all the way to Fort Williams. It was my trophy at the finisher monument ;-) Hope you'll get less rain than I experienced. And no blisters. I got a really big and painful one on the third day. That was no fun. I almost thought I had to quit... Happy walking & Slainte mhath

[@vanhallaadventures]

I love hearing of others' experiences. We just finished and came out with only 2 blisters - thankfully! So sorry to hear about the one you had - I know that can make the journey a whole different experience. I love that you bought a whole bottle! What a celebration at the end! Their whisky was REALLY good. Thanks for watching :)

[@dirkjelier1283]

Hello from The Netherlands! Just want to 'warn' you. You always have to walk facing oncoming traffic, but NOT (in the UK) when the road curves to the right! Cars simply don't see you and it happens in a flash. Had a few scares myself walking in the UK.

[@vanhallaadventures]

We noticed this! It can be SCARY on these tiny roads. Thank you for the tip :)

[@shelleywalker2743]

I am going to do the WHW solo in September 2024. Was trying to find the part in the series that show the little out of the way cafe where you had the cake. Order through a fence? Am I mixing up trails? Which leg of the trail is it on? Thank you for the ino and the insight from your videos.

[@vanhallaadventures]

That’s in the Great Glen Way series not the WHW.

[@laurabrown04]

I have this exact issue with boots and haven’t been able to find any answers. Google doesn’t help and even people in hiking shops look at me like I’m weird. I met someone like us when we did a section of the AV1 in the dolomites and he ended up hiking the rest of the trail in flip flops. Boots are so good for deep mud but owwwwww!!

[@Ems-t9r]

Awesome video! Been on the hunt for a hat like yours! Are you able to tell me where you got it from? Thanks ✌🏼😁

[@נועהגולדנברג-צ2ה]

What would you recommend more to a first trek alone? Camino de Santiago or this? In october

[@vanhallaadventures]

No question the Camino Frances.

[@janegee5562]

What's with the feet issues?Are you both in sedentary jobs?I must be lucky as a nurse as I was always on my feet so never had that trouble. Love watching you both on your adventure 😊

[@DunkfaeOotnAbootWiUs]

Noo I have watched a lot of people do the WHW and you 2 are right up there , your enthusiasm for this is showing through. Looking forward tae the next wan 😊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@vanhallaadventures]

We love love love Scotland! Thanks for watching!

[@flatandsplat]

So, do you guys have a luggage transfer situation happening? If so, did you do the whole hike through a company?

[@Fien334]

Hi did you have to make reservations beforehand?

[@vanhallaadventures]

Yes we did.

[@maidenekker]

I walked the West Highland Way in 1991, with a backpack and a tent. It rained so much that I felt we nearly drowned. I got really sick, and did not see a docter, so I do not have the best memories of that trip, besides the beautifull country.

[@vanhallaadventures]

I'm so sorry to hear this :( We thought that might happen to us. Scotland weather is so unpredictable.

[@billyharden9316]

Always pack trainers they all say there not suitable.but they are from a hill walking Scot’s man.👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸

[@vanhallaadventures]

Totally agree! Thanks for watching!

[@sherryduffenais4815]

Do you have a gear pack video (for WHW)? Curious

[@debbiechristensen6497]

What day packs are you using on the WHW? 😊

[@AnxietyAddict]

18:48 😂😂😂

[@paolow1299]

Very good film well done both of you .don't worry about pronunciation of place names .just don't call Lochs /locks or lakes/ and don't call Glens / valleys .(it irritates the locals .) You avoided those gaffes so well done .

[@philadelphiawalksptsd]

💗💗

[@vanhallaadventures]

So good to see your name pop up on here

[@philadelphiawalksptsd]

@@vanhallaadventures Thank you so much! Looking forward to viewing your videos from Scotland's West Highland Way. 💗

[@mariestrella.orquideasartecamp]

Saludos chicos feliz dia

[@vanhallaadventures]

Thank you ❤️ hope you are enjoying your Summer! Always great to see your name pop up 🙂

[@yvonnebirch6026]

👍👍💕🌷

[@HamsterPlayzRobloxAndShorts1]

i walked the 98 miles it was fun and i am 9 ys old

[@sbc1t]

Your welcome to move anytime , Visa , get a job and live in Milngavie

[@Oldman525]

For what you paid for those miniatures you could have bought a full bottle in a local shop, local advice.

[@vanhallaadventures]

We bought a bottle later on 😎

[@Oldman525]

@@vanhallaadventures You two are so funny, you make some classic mistakes should have gone wild camping or at least carry a sleeping bag on the Loch Lomond sections then you can stop at the two bothy's on the way for free.

[@vanhallaadventures]

Probably a good idea, but camping was never our intentions nor preference this time around. But maybe someday we will, ya never know. It sure sounds fun!

[@Oldman525]

@@vanhallaadventures It's free, flexible (stop when you want), and not tied to bookings. I felt for you you made it look so painful when it's not compared to many treks around the world and even in Scotland or Uk it is an easy amble.

[@frosty_soda]

Glas-gow 😂 pronounce it like this "glasz-go"

[@ArisingAdventures]

It seems like you husband is feeling weak gives you an ego boost..instead of caring for your husband.

[@234cheech]

i hope you enjoyed youreselfs i loe my country esp others showing it❤

[@vanhallaadventures]

Absolutely beautiful country in Scotland!