Wild Camping the Great Glen Way in late autumn

Originally on my channel in four separate parts this new edition has been re edited into a single film.
Join me as i walk the Great glen way from Fort william to Inverness 79 miles away. This splendid route takes me along the Caledonian canal, Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and the mighty Loch Ness in mostly glorious weather for late autumn. Along the way we pass an old ruined castle , see the old training grounds of the UK's fledgling special forces and hike through many miles of beautiful caledonian woodland.

[@Average-man12]

What a great video. This is a must watch for anyone considering doing the G.G.W

[@carljohnsonoutdoors]

Thanks for watching and commenting Tony. It seems an age ago now. I must get back up there and walk this route once again. All the best,Carl

[@lasalleny]

Where to begin. First, thank you for doing this amazing walk for us. I long for the days when my then-husband and I did hikes in the UK, mostly in Wales and Scotland. I get visceral vicarious enjoyment from your experience. We did not tent it but we had never-to-be-forgotten experiences on the trails. I yearn for those hikes. I must tell you Loch Ness was never so beautiful as your filming of it shrouded in those low-lying clouds. I will revisit this walk with you from beginning to end and I look forward to walking along with you on other trails. Again, thank you. And not least, your editor and music made it absolutely inspiring.

[@carljohnsonoutdoors]

Hi Deanna, thank you for the very kind comments regarding this video. As I look back now on this walk I find myself yearning to return and do it again. I'm very happy to hear it's sparked fond memories within you from your own trip and hope you've enjoyed revisiting this beautiful area with me. At the time that low lying mist over loch Ness was a bit of an annoyance but I now realise I was quite lucky to catch it like that. After all the loch will still be there next time I go and more than likely be mist free.thanks for watching and subbing. All the best and happy New year, Carl

[@patrickelliott5858]

Brilliant video Carl, just starting watching your channel you deserve far more subscribers for the quality and commentary of your videos. A pleasure to watch.

[@carljohnsonoutdoors]

Hi Patrick, thank you for watching and I'm glad you're finding the videos interesting. Always nice to receive a comment such as yours so I thank you for that too. All the best, Carl

[@dougieranger]

Excellent movie Carl.

[@carljohnsonoutdoors]

Thanks for watching Dougie. Glad you enjoyed it 👍 Cheers, Carl

[@ShanOutdoors]

So many memories. Beautiful video.

[@carljohnsonoutdoors]

Hi Shan thanks so much for watching and commenting all the best,Carl

[@justandy1035]

What a fab take on the GGW . Fab video well done . Some great stuff in there mate and some awesome sceneries . Well done keep up the great work . All the best Andy

[@andrewohare7055]

Hi Carl. Thanks for a great video. I'm going to do thr GGW solo backpacking in June and the information you have given makes me feel s lot more relaxed about doing it. Thanks again. Andy.

[@carljohnsonoutdoors]

Hi Andrew, glad to hear the video was helpful. Although I didn't do it at the time the one other thing I would recommend and would do myself if I were to do it again is pay the £10 at the corpach sea loch office for the key that gives access to the waterways toilets/shower blocks which are scattered along the route. Good luck with your walk. All the best, Carl

[@Greenmanure62]

Very interesting thank you. I'll be walking this route late spring. Thanks for pointing out camp spots!

[@carljohnsonoutdoors]

You're very welcome Jeanette. Glad the video has been of help to you. Good luck with your walk. Thanks for watching,all the best, Carl

[@Greenmanure62]

​@@carljohnsonoutdoorsthanks and Merry Christmas! Could I be cheeky and ask where you got your front pack please? Kind regards.

[@carljohnsonoutdoors]

@@Greenmanure62 and a merry Christmas to you and yours too Jeanette. The pack I used on this trek is the "Numbat chest pack" by helikon Tex. It's a multi pocket chest pack and has many compartments and attachment points and also houses a removable map section. It is though rather weighty. A lighter weight alternative would be the chest pod by OMM. I shall be featuring both in forthcoming videos once the festive period is out of the way. All the best, Carl

[@Greenmanure62]

@@carljohnsonoutdoors thanks so much.

[@EclipseAdventureTravels]

Great video Carl... Also very informative of potential camp spots and camp sites along the way. Certainly helps on the decision making for nightly stops! I see potential for some great hammock stops too, especially considering your issues with condensation in the tent. Thanks again.

[@carljohnsonoutdoors]

Thanks for watching. Glad you found the video useful in planning your forthcoming trip.With all the woodland areas you pass through you will be spoilt for choice in using your hammock. All the best, Carl

[@howardmcknight9773]

Some lovely scenery on The Great Glen Way Carl and beautifully filmed to, getting the weather you walked in at that time of year is I think a recipe for condensation at night but a pity about the rain walking into Inverness, you have done both walks that start or finish at Fort William what about doing the third The Cape Wrath Trail, I think you are made for doing it and would thoroughly enjoy it.

[@carljohnsonoutdoors]

Hi Howard, glad you enjoyed the video and in hindsight now I do think the amount of condensation was inevitable and would of been the same in whatever tent I'd used. The weather conditions of cold clear nights with no wind and being close to water led to that problem being worse than normal. I have thought about the CWT. Maybe one for the near future? Thanks for watching. All the best, Carl

[@howardmcknight9773]

The scenery looks beautiful on the CWT it looks a hard walk but I think you would embrace it and film it beautifully.

[@carljohnsonoutdoors]

@@howardmcknight9773 It's something I'd definitely like to do in the future. My main focus this year is to do the coast to coast. 👍

[@justandy1035]

Hi Some cracking scenery on your GGW trip, I have just spent my afternoon watching it again, What an expedition, Too bad about the condensation on your tent, What type and make of tent was it , if you don't mind me asking, I kind of liked it believe it or not, Would it be suitable for someone of 6ft 1 of height? Looks like you never came across too many folk on this trip and it looked a great time of year to do it. Well done, I really enjoyed the footage on this video, All the best Andy

[@carljohnsonoutdoors]

Hi Andy the tent here is a Hilleberg soulo. Theyre a top notch piece of kit and a dream to pitch but as theyre designed for four season use the flysheet comes right down to the ground and basically seals you in. Great if its cold or snowing but not for airflow although the tent has a small vent just below the little flap over the top.I think the condensation was made worse on this trip due to the cold clear weather with hardly a breath of wind. Thanks for watching. Sorry for late reply. I seem to have missed numerous comments. All the best mate,Carl

[@evelynfakira5612]

Red squirrels and pine marten in Dunkeld environs

[@madscottishmtber435]

What's your base weight for this ? Lovely video 🙂 still using the Hilleberg soulo I see

[@carljohnsonoutdoors]

Hello, in all honesty I could not tell you. I've never been one to weigh my pack. I did actually get rid of that particular soulo but I now have one again 😊 Thanks for watching and commenting, all the best, Carl

[@marmadukegrimwig]

Hi, what brand are those black water bottles you’re using?

[@carljohnsonoutdoors]

Hello, they are made by Sistema. Hope that is of help. Thanks for watching 👍

[@marmadukegrimwig]

@@carljohnsonoutdoors nice video.

[@Wolvesaywe1712]

Hi Carl I've been watching your videos for the last couple of weeks (sorry that I've only just subscribed, my kids seem to think they are in charge of youtube lol). Anyway your adventures have inspired me to get out there and experience it for myseltlf. In your honest opinion what trail is better, 'great glen way' or 'west highland way'?

[@carljohnsonoutdoors]

Hello and many thanks for watching and subbing. Personally west highland way is my favourite. I've walked it 4 times now and if you want to get out and attempt a long distance trail this one is definitely the one to do first. For a start it is just simply amazing from start to finish (ok maybe not the last 2 miles or so lol). It's well supported in terms of camping/accomodation, places to eat or get a pint. Shops spread out along the way combined with honesty boxes give ample chance to resupply too. The start and finish have great markers so when you set off and pass under the arch of the Whw you really feel you're heading off on something special. When you reach the finish on the high st in fort William and sit down with my old pal the sore foot statue the sense of accomplishment is really felt. Another thing, and probably one of the greatest things about the Whw is the fellow travellers who you will encounter as you all share the trail. This trail is really international and walked by people from all over the world and for one week you are all sharing a great experience. You see the same faces every day and the sense of camaraderie is really felt. Don't get me wrong GGW is a great trail but for me WHW is the one to do. All the best and have a happy new year, Carl

[@Wolvesaywe1712]

Thank you so much. You had me at 'pint lol. Happy New year and look forward to your next adventures