The West Highland Way: 2024 Adventure, Day 7 Kinlochleven to Fort William

[@Collected1]

Just a quick note of thanks. I completed the WHW this past week (not a drop of rain.. very unexpected) and your WHW videos were very useful for me in my preparation and just general inspiration to get out there for my first multi day hike and camping adventure. It's a glorious route and I'm already looking forward to returning to it in some form. Cheers.

[@redmanwalking74]

@@Collected1 That's fabulous. Congratulations on your first trip along the West Highland Way. I'm not surprised you've got the WHW bug. I'm back on trail first week of April. This time I'm doing baggage transfer. Just for a change. I'm truly grateful for the kind words and glad it gave you the inspiration to go for it. All the best. G ♥️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@archiebald70]

Loved this days walk. Just back from 6 days completing the WHW. Had 6 days of sunny skies. So lucky. Went up the Ben on the 7th day. Sunny again.

[@redmanwalking74]

@@archiebald70 Congratulations on completing the West Highland Way. Glad you were lucky enough to get good weather. It makes all the difference. All the best. G ♥️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@tammywright6636]

Thank you so much for your very helpful videos. They were a pleasure to watch. I picked up quite a few tips.

[@redmanwalking74]

@@tammywright6636 Thanks for the very kind comments. I'm glad you found them useful and good luck with your own adventure. G ❤️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@tammywright6636]

@@redmanwalking74 ❤️

[@miriamcollett7456]

Thanks for all your videos - I’m heading to walk the WHW for the first time later this week and your videos have been so helpful for just giving me an idea of what to expect. This last day looked gorgeous! Fingers crossed I get at least 1 day like this!

[@redmanwalking74]

I'm excited for you. It's a fantastic trail. Enjoy your adventure and I'm glad you found the series useful. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Nemesis169]

Our last day from Kinlochleven the snow/sleet was coming in sideways - we did the WHW starting on the 31/03/2024 the day after you started - we did it in 6 days with luggage transfers and staying in hotels or B&B's. It's still a tough walk even doing it that way.

[@redmanwalking74]

@@Nemesis169 Wild. Zero shelter either. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@paulkelly-sx3iy]

Glad you made back. Finished that section today in beautiful weather actually on bus back to Glasgow look forward to the GGW

[@redmanwalking74]

Thanks Paul. It just felt like a rotten way to end the trip and the vlog series. Can't wait to do the GGW by I've got the Affric Kintail Way first at the end of June. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@biggyjaay]

Brilliant series really enjoying your channel mate

[@redmanwalking74]

Thank you. I really appreciate your comments. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@CraigDroneAdventures]

Brilliant video mate. Im planning to do this route in the summer so really helpful

[@redmanwalking74]

So glad you've found it useful. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@NikkiEvernight]

Congrats! Talking of roads less travelled, how about the East Highland way? Really good helpful video! Thank you

[@redmanwalking74]

Not this year but the EHW is definitely on my radar. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Collected1]

Glad you were able to go back and finish this years journey. The weather looked perfect for it. Some beautiful colours out there.

[@redmanwalking74]

It was a perfect day for it. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@chrisholt2474]

We were staying in Glen Nevis last week, so on wed 17th April it was a beautiful day. We walked into Fort William and got the 10.30 N44 bus to Kinlochleven and walked the WHW back to Glen Nevis, it was a beautiful walk. We must have just missed you by a day or so. I’m starting my solo WHW walk on Wednesday 29th May 2024 in Milngavie. To complete the walk in 8 to 9 days. Now I have an idea what to expect. If I have any problems I have already completed the last section. Thank you for your films and information, much appreciated. I’m glad you got to complete the WHW again this year. All the best 🍻👍🍻👍🍻👍🍻👍

[@redmanwalking74]

It really is a beautiful section of the West Highland Way. Enjoy your adventure and I hope the weather is kind to you. Thanks for watching and glad you found the vlogs useful. G❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@BaltistaniBoys]

Nice sound. Absolutely amazing I recommended you visit the himalayan mountains k2 and Nangaparbat view point from one place moses peak. Add this sound in your bucket list.

[@redmanwalking74]

I will do. Thanks G♥️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@ranbirsingh7666]

Iam glad you went back.. 👍. Catchup with video later , just wanted drop a message 👍

[@redmanwalking74]

Quite the contrast in weather conditions from two weeks ago. 😊☀️G❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@markdavies5662]

Great set of travel vlogs 🙂 I'm grateful you went back and completed the route. With the exception of the road section - stunning scenery from start to finish. Luggage transfer is the way to go. It's slightly lazier than wild camping, BUT IT'S EASIER ON THE BACK😅 What time of year would you recommend walking the WHW in terms of fewer people and not so aggressive midges? All the best.

[@redmanwalking74]

Early April and early October to avoid the midges. It is cooler however. Glad you enjoyed the vlogs. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@BeateZwartepoorte-Boeren]

Yeah! 🎉🎉🎉🎉 you made it in the end! Good for you!

[@redmanwalking74]

Would've been a rotten way to end the vlog eh!? 😊 G ♥️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@TheRamblingHiker]

Really enjoyed the series! I'm doing it next week & had really optimised my loadout with the same bag as yours down to ~11kg. But then started having problems with my little toes just a few weeks ago - good old "adductovarus" toes. So, I'm going for a baggage transfer to give them a bit of an easier time. But the upside means I can take more camera gear in a day pack than I'd be happy taking in a single pack & the scenery really looks like it warrants it.

[@redmanwalking74]

@@TheRamblingHiker That's brilliant. Glad you enjoyed the series. Baggage transfer is on the cards for the next WHW trip. My wee toe is the same. Two pairs of socks a day and plenty of talc really helped me. 12noon, stop and change socks. Wash them at Beinglas to reduce the amount you'll need to carry. I'm excited for you. Let me know how the baggage transfer goes. Enjoy your adventure. G ❤️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@TheRamblingHiker]

@@redmanwalking74 Hey, completed it on Friday. What a brilliant trail! I ended up swapping out and putting my 25 litre into baggage transfer with the heaviest gear and took ~9kg or so via the Osprey Kestrel 48. Just more comfortable. I did the Cow Hill Path instead of doing the road. Practically everyone I spoke to at the finish line moaned about the road & the Cow Hill Path was really pleasant and gives you the final views. Much recommended! I'll be upping a video series when I have time to edit.

[@janicemiddlemass5215]

🤗so pleased you went back to complete the WHW , i too would feel it was unfinished business well done on a lovely day . The last part of the walk missing out part of the road walk , I saw folk walking on it and wondered where it came out so thank you for showing. Look forward to seeing you take the Ballachulish path . Last September there was markers going that way though it might be a race or something, interesting!!! Thank you again for the most pleasurable video 🤗👏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@redmanwalking74]

Yeah, I can't stand unfinished business. I need to do more research on the Ballachulish path as it appears to come over onto the wrong side of the water. 🤣🤷🏻‍♂️ G♥️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@nikwood750]

I am so glad you showed this alternative route at the end. I ran the devil of the Highlands (Tyndrum to Fort bill) and it brings you out at the leisure centre. I forgot all about it when we walked whw. Thank you ❤

[@redmanwalking74]

You're very welcome. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@steveoutdoors6522]

Yep good to see you went back and finish it thank you 👍⛺️

[@redmanwalking74]

Very welcome. Hope you have found the series informative and useful. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@greeno6064]

Pleased to see you went back to do the last leg, kund if unfinished without it even if done before. I am heading out in 2 days to donit in reverse from fort william to Milngavie. Little apprehensive as overnight temperature forcast for fort william weekend is -5 and thats in the town which is ridiculous for end of April but.. hey ho lets give it a go. I fear the pass between FW and kinlochleven may be close to -10 but im hoping next week will be better.. fingers crossed for me

[@redmanwalking74]

Hopefully just the overnight temps. Get a good meal into you and you'll hopefully be cosy all night. Enjoy your reverse adventure. G ❤️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@stephenmiller251]

Great end to a fantastic series of videos. I took the Cow Hill path into FW last August. The Lairig Mor pass was one of my favourite sections due to not seeing anyone from leaving Kinlochleven until arriving at Glen Nevis. Solitude at its best.

[@redmanwalking74]

There's definitely something to be said for solitude. If that's your thing you'd certainly enjoy the Cateran Trail. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@stephenmiller251]

@@redmanwalking74 just watched your series on the Cateran trail, looks a good one. I’m from Aberdeen so fairly familiar with that area. On average how many people did you come across doing the trail?

[@redmanwalking74]

@@stephenmiller251 Lucky if it was a couple each day. Very quiet. G♥️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@stigfloberghagenphotography]

Nice. Was in Fort William in 2006 😮

[@BrokenBackMountains]

I knew you would head back. Not a fan of the baggage services. Next April, you can whizz past me as I carry my gear😂 Touch wood, I'll be through the physio and on the way this time next year.

[@redmanwalking74]

Each year I try to do something a bit different. I've carried my gear the last three years and I'm conscious that not everyone is capable or wish to carry all that weight for 96 miles. If nothing else it's another video for the WHW series. Fingers crossed for you and hope the physio lets you get on trail. Don't rule out baggage transfer if it allows you to get out and enjoy doing your thing. G♥️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@BrokenBackMountains]

@@redmanwalking74 Yeah, I appreciate that and know why people use them but it isn't for me. I'm currently fettling it all to get it even lighter but still comfy. I'll be on the brink of 59 next year but will be doing a lot of wild camping so another reason not to use the service. My wife has pointed out that I'm a stubborn git and should keep baggage services in mind if the back is playing up but she is the sensible one in the family. So, maybe speedhike it next year??

[@BTurner.]

No bears but you forgot to mention the deadly Wild Haggis. 😊

[@redmanwalking74]

Even more deadly than bears and mountain lions. No known deterrent either! 😁 😜 G♥️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@BTurner.]

@@redmanwalking74 Definitely, I worked all over Scotland and was always on guard for the vicious little buggers. 😂😂

[@redmanwalking74]

@@BTurner. 🤣

[@LisbethsTiljeset-wk5yc]

❤

[@richardanderson9340]

If you’re carrying 19kilos you could get that down substantially. I had 2 weeks wild camping in Sweden starting with 14kg which included snacks and meals for 10 days. West highland way has places to buy food (Milngavie, drymen, tyndrum, Kinlochleven) or meals from bars and restaurants.

[@redmanwalking74]

It's the home comforts I'm carrying that are my issue. 😁 Didn't even have the Jetboil with me. G♥️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Airlessmean]

Currently on day 6, going from Brisge of orchy to kingshouse if i can make it ha! (17kg) is no joke!

[@redmanwalking74]

Pull your waistbelt in and take plenty of shoulder breaks. You're on a beautiful section of the trail. Pint in Inveroran too. 🍻G❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Airlessmean]

@redmanwalking74 currently just leaving the Inveraray hotel after a nice vegetable soup and pint of coke, fingers crossed to get drone out 😍

[@nikwood750]

Have you ever done it in the opposite direction?

[@redmanwalking74]

I haven't no. Would feel a bit odd I reckon. 😊G ❤️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@nikwood750]

@redmanwalking74 I just wondered as I have walked the way the same as you. I have also walked the GGW 2 years ago and last year I biked it in thr opposite direction. It felt like a totally different route. Weird as it's obviously not. Thinking about doing the WHW opposite too 🤔 😅

[@redmanwalking74]

@@nikwood750 As long as you don't mind people telling you that you are going the wrong way! 😁 😂 G♥️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@chrisarnold4709]

April 2025 for me as well, 6 days and baggage transfer! I will be 62 so i think thats acceptable 😂

[@redmanwalking74]

I'm excited for you. Enjoy the adventure. G ❤️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@chrisarnold4709]

All the accommodation is booked now, start date 9 April. Just waiting on train fares and baggage transfers to be released! Longest day is D3 Rowardennan to Crianlarich 😮 Fingers crossed for at least some decent weather. Walking solo in memory of my best friend who was taken too early so hope he looks down and helps me along!! Thanks for your videos as they've been one of the best sources of inspiration and advice - high road for me I'm thinking 😂

[@redmanwalking74]

The trail gives you time to reminisce, think, zone out. As well as the company you'll enjoy too. So many wonderful people from all over the world. I'll have my fingers crossed for you on day 3. ☀️🥾🥾 G♥️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@chrisarnold4709]

Cheers!! Really looking forward to it now tbh and April seems a long way off but it won't be...😂

[@nikwood750]

Don't go in to or round the back of the cottage as way too many people have used it as a poop stop😮😢 #honking

[@redmanwalking74]

That's truly horrific. I'll never understand why folk can't prepare for this and dispose of their human waste in a manner that won't affect others. 💩🤢🤮 G♥️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@nikwood750]

@redmanwalking74 I will never know either. Its really sad.