West Highland Way - Solo Hiking 96 miles in 7 days - May 2024

The West Highland Way is an amazing 96-mile long hiking trail from Milngavie to Fort William that takes you through some of the most stunning landscapes in Scotland. In May 2024, I hiked the trail solo over 7 days, using both hotels and campsites along the way.
During the Loch Lomond section, I reference a fantastic video from Red Man Walking which talks about the pros and cons of the High Road and Low Road. Here is the link:
• The West Highland Way:...
00:33 - Day 1 Milngavie to Drymen
03:38 - Day 2 Drymen to Rowardennan
09:32 - Day 3 Rowardennan to Inverarnan
15:50 - Day 4 Inverarnan to Bridge of Orchy
21:14 - Day 5 Bridge of Orchy to Kingshouse
27:15 - Day 6 Kingshouse to Blar a’ Chaorainn
33:35 - Day 7 Blar a’Chaorainn to Fort William
All music credits are listed below:
Road Forest-Water Drop-Scotland - Reed Methis • Road Forest-Water Drop...
Scottish Reel by Ash • Scottish Reel || Free...
Highland Song by Alexander Nakarada - www.serpentsou...
Music promoted by www.free-stock...
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) creativecommon...
• Highland Song by Alexa...
Adventure - Alexander Nakarada - CreatorChords • Adventure | Royalty Fr...
Adventures of a Wanderer - Thomas Mutiu • Adventures of a Wander...
INOSSI - Far Away
Music provided by Vlog No Copyright Music. Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported
• INOSSI | Far Away (No ...
Aurora/Northern Lights - Neo Music - • Northern Lights: Copyr...
The Highlands - Bagpipes - Craig e Bee Music • Royalty free music -Th...
Motivation for Success by Aylex
Source: freetosuse.com...
• [No Copyright Backgrou...
Take it Slow by Luke Bergs & AgusAlvarez
Source: freetosuse.com...
• [No Copyright Backgrou...
Limujii - Sweet Talks
Music provided by Vlog No Copyright Music. Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported
• Limujii - Sweet Talks ...

[@jamesmilby1775]

Such a great walk. Liked the chat to camera and your charity. Glad you survived east side Loch Lomond. Keep going with the outdoor videos.

[@WillisWanders]

@@jamesmilby1775 Thank you so much James! I’m walking it again in Sept, so fingers crossed the weather is kind to me again.

[@johnhatfield1070]

We did this walk two years ago. I carried the tent, cooking equipment , sleeping bags and mats whilst my wife carried her spare underpants and toothbrush. The Kinghouse section was our most challenging day. Absolutely drenched , windswept and tired we turned up at the Hotel only to be told there was no room in the bunkhouse. My wife had turned as nasty as the weather and insisted I enquire at the Hotel itself. £250 later she who must be obeyed was soaking in a hot bath. The dear are so tame and magnificent with their huge antlers. Got to Fort William and retrieved our waiting campervan. Superb week!

[@Buszkraftowski]

Hello. Same with me. I heared about WHW while watching a vid about the GlenGoyne Destillery and started to watch many inspiring hiking videos on YT. In 2023 I made my own WHW-Adventure come true. Thank you for sharing with us your WHW experience! Greetings from Poland.

[@WillisWanders]

That’s fantastic! I wish I hadn’t waited so long to do it, but better late than never I guess 😁

[@theglumhiker2881]

Well done Monica, lovely film, great cause. Atb.

[@WillisWanders]

@@theglumhiker2881 Thank you! ☺️

[@hikesome]

Such a wonderful hiking trip Monica. Fantastic shots the WHW looks stunning through your lens

[@WillisWanders]

Thank you so much!

[@petergoddard1960]

What a wonderful video. Well done for powering through the hard bits but, more importantly, realising a dream. Superb support from your husband, two wonderful dogs to keep you company and some belting grub by the look of it. I loved it.

[@WillisWanders]

@@petergoddard1960 Thank you so much for your kind comments Peter!

[@user-zh8ku4vf9f]

What a fantastic video. Like you, I've watched a great many videos of the WHW and I've done the Way twice; once with my former spouse and the last time by myself in 2022. I have to say your video has been one of my very favourites. Your smile is infectious and I absolutely LOVED your doggies joining you on your adventure. I felt so happy to watch them. You told a great story with your video and it was such a joy to watch. I got emotional at the end and I was just watching; which really portrayed such authenticity. Well done you! Happy future adventures. I'm subscribing in the hopes to see more of your videos. Greetings from Saskatchewan, Canada. Trish

[@WillisWanders]

@@user-zh8ku4vf9f Hi Trish - what a beautiful comment! Thank you so, so much for watching and sending me this, it’s really made me smile! This was my first attempt at making a video like this, so I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m doing the WHW again in Sept, sadly no doggies this time as I’m staying in hotels/B&Bs. My plan is to do separate videos for each day so I can show more of this amazing trail! Thanks again for taking the time to send me this - you’ve made my day!

[@user-zh8ku4vf9f]

@@WillisWanders You're welcome. Enjoy your next adventure

[@Conzo71]

Brilliant video Monica. Done the walk and understand😎 well done you👍

[@ervinslens]

Gorgeous episode, captivating and simply enjoyable to watch my friend!

[@WillisWanders]

That’s great to hear as this is my first attempt at anything like this - thank you!

[@ChristineMcKay-ky8ds]

Well done Monica on completing the walk and letting me walk with you from the chair wine in hand. Fantastic video commentary,scenery just brilliant Thank You❤

[@WillisWanders]

So glad you enjoyed it! Have another glass for me 😂🍷

[@shi1355]

perfect timing with the northern lights 😍 and good on you 🎉

[@ducatiman1309]

Thankyou for sharing your journey Monica !! great views and great dialogue ! Congratulations !!!!

[@WillisWanders]

Thank you so much for your kind words!

[@robinmuir7799]

Lovely video! Thanks for sharing.

[@WillisWanders]

Thank you Robin!

[@vincentlockhart1]

Fantastic video, Monica. Well done! X

[@WillisWanders]

Thanks Uncle V! ☺️

[@iristerhaar2191]

I am starting the WHW on September 17, on my own as my walking mate is injured. I will nearly be 80 years, fit and healthy and experience hiker inc long distance footpath. However slightly nervous about going it alone; advice please All accommodation prebooked.

[@WillisWanders]

Hi Iris, I was a little nervous leading up to it but any nerves soon gave way to excitement. The first few miles I was virtually skipping and dancing! As it’s such a popular walk, there are often lots of other hikers on the trail to chat to if you so wish. On the other hand, there were parts of it where I hardly saw anyone for a couple of hours, but I didn’t mind that. Walking solo gave me the opportunity to stop and enjoy the scenery without worrying about holding anyone else back. In the evenings, there will always be people to talk to in the restaurants & pubs. With your experience, I’m sure you’ll be able to tell many wonderful stories about other trails you’ve walked over a drink or two! I’ve no doubt you will be very well prepared, but there are several shops and honesty boxes along the route if you need them. There isn’t much after Tyndrum though, so that’s a good place to replenish any equipment and snacks if you need to. September is a beautiful time of year to be in Scotland. It might be wet on some of the days but it won’t be too cold. The dreaded midge season will have peaked well before then, so hopefully they won’t bother you too much. I’m actually planning on walking the WHW again at the same time as you (I’ll be with a friend this time) starting on the 18th. Fingers crossed I get to meet you! Please don’t hesitate to ask if you need any more information.

[@iristerhaar2191]

@@WillisWanders that is very helpful Monica. I am very excited and will be well prepared. Just is it sensible being a month short of my eightieth……? in fact this walk is to celebrate being alive and able to hike! Aren’t are lucky? I will do it solo, I have done solo trips before( camino de Santiago), but there always lots of other walkers on that trek and you are rarely truly alone. Thanks for advice, just what I needed Iris

[@WillisWanders]

@@iristerhaar2191 I think it’s wonderful that you’re planning to walk the WHW! As you said, you’re fit, healthy and experienced - I’m sure you will love it and will be an inspiration to many. On Day Two, I climbed Conic Hill; it was very warm (for us Scottish people anyway!) and it was also extremely busy (it’s a very popular hill to climb outwith WHW walkers). I didn’t know beforehand, but there is an alternative path to Balmaha. The next time I might consider going that way as I ended up causing a slight injury to my knee on the way down the hill, so I’d be worried about repeating that. Also, on the Loch Lomond section there is the High Road option. Whilst this is not quite as picturesque as the Low Road, it’s quicker and easier than scrambling over the boulders and tree roots etc.

[@chrisholt2474]

Yes, well done, what a fantastic film, I really enjoyed your journey, also excellent support from your husband, well done to him too 👍👍👍. I walked the WHW solo, I started on 29th May this year 2024, did it over about 8 days, it is a fantastic trail and your film brings back some great memories. I also met some great trail friends along the way, I had some sunshine, rain, hail, sleet and snow on Rannoch moor and in Glencoe. I enjoyed the whole journey and will walk it again before I get too old. Thank you for your film, best regards, Chris. 🍻👍👍👍

[@WillisWanders]

@@chrisholt2474 Hi Chris - hubby says thank you…all that resting in the hammock and pint-drinking took its toll so he’s glad someone has acknowledged his hard work! 😂 Your day on Rannoch Moor - jeez! Talk about four seasons in one day!! Overall I was very lucky with the weather I experienced across the week. I’m doing the WHW again in mid September and something tells me I might not get so lucky again, but I guess you never know 🤞🏻 I’m so glad you enjoyed the video - thanks for taking the time to watch it and for sending me such a lovely message! ☺️

[@chrisholt2474]

⁠@@WillisWanders Hi, thank you for your reply, there is a chance I may be on the WHW again in mid September, just doing some planning at the moment. It definitely is a fantastic trail, my favourite bit is from Bridge of Orchy onwards and that is where the weather started to deteriorate for me, but I still enjoyed it. All the best and take care. 🍻👍👍👍

[@johnboyle8452]

Like the twa dugs!

[@summit_two_sea_outdoors]

Great video 👏 really enjoyed it, we are planning on doing this next April and can’t wait 😊 how did you find the trail, in terms of busyness and midges? Liked and subscribed 👍🏼

[@WillisWanders]

@@summit_two_sea_outdoors Many thanks for your kind comments! April is a good time as the midges won’t be out; they don’t normally appear until June. April can be quite wet so bear that in mind ☔️ The trail was busy at times, but not so busy that I ever felt crowded. Depending on what time you leave camp/hotel each morning, you can definitely find yourself with several people in front and behind. There were also times when I didn’t see anyone for a couple of hours. The Loch Lomond section can seem busy as the path is quite narrow in some areas, plus there can be a bit of scrambling to do, so there was the odd ‘bottleneck’ but nothing more than a minute or two.

[@ivanarichtrova1589]

👍👍👍 5:25