My Full Guide For Hiking The West Highland Way (Food, Lodging, Cost, Navigation, Midges, etc.)

Top tip. It’s tough walking from beinglass to bridge of orchy in one go after the loch the day before split this day up and stay in Tyndrum. Go in April, it’s quiet and no midges plus you might catch snow on the mountain tops.

Scottish midges, you should have more sympathy for them in your condition, it is ONLY the pregnant female that go for a blood meal and apparently they are sentitive to viatmin B and don't like it so very rarely get bit.

Did your feet stay dry with all the rain?

I really like the way they have these tour packages. They need stuff like this in California for bicycles.

Buccleuch House is pronounced "Buck-Loo". You are welcome :)

I can't believe you fell for the Haggis hype. An educated person like yourself. Brilliant
A word if folks want to wild camp the WHW, there are restrictions around the Loch Lomond area so don't assume you can camp absolutely anywhere. It's not hard to wildcamp though. Loads of choice.

Midges are all about timing. Go April of early May or Sept or October

Glad that you enjoyed walking in the UK. Come again with the family, what about Hadrian's Wall walk? You could walk some days and your partner and new addition could catch the bus to meet you in the evening.

Is the $3000 for 2 or per person? Does that include your flight?

The sawyer squeeze only works with marks and Spencer threads in the UK! Use the 1 litre lemonade bottle

How would you compare it difficulty wise to the Camino Frances? ( elevation/effort etc)?

Thanks so much for the info 😊
That last breakfast looked amazing ❤

Great overview and plenty of details, wonderfully organized. Looked like a ball. At some point, I'd like to hear you compare Ben Nevis to Mts. Washington and Katahdin.

Love your pronunciation of Milngavie !

This was terrific. So informative, and presented in your unique style...outstanding, in other words. Thank you!

Thank you, Dixie! You are an absolute treasure! 🥰🥰🥰

So glad you enjoyed your visit. Midges are tricky because they don't like hot or cold or rain or wind and can't fly more than 4mph so you can outrun them. But if you are unfortunate enough to hit their sweet spot (and often the best camp spots do!) they can make life unbearable! But the last two years they haven't been as bad and in 2022 I only got attacked once out of the the whole year. Personally, I worry about ticks and cleggs (aka horseflies) a lot more!

ive traveled and lived all of the world and it seems most cultures dont have heavy breakfasts like us americans. quick carb/fruit plus espresso seems to be common.

i love a calm long breakfast

18lbs!????

That cost (assuming flights were extra) doesn't seem out of line to me.

Cost — was that per person? Also I assume doesn’t include flights to Scotland.

Nice sharing

Thanks for the video

I saw the Edinburgh castle in May 2024 and it was amazing.

Thank you so much for this information. I am going to switch my AT section hike to the WHW and Great Glen in Sept.

I always enjoy watching your adventures, but this one pulled at my heart the most. I've been in Scotland 3 times, twice in the Highlands, with the last trip being this past May. I loved re-living my experiences in the beautiful Highlands through your videos (though I didn't hike during either trip). Your practical tips, cinematography, and positive spirit make all of your content both valuable but also profoundly moving. I've convinced my husband to go do the WHW for a big wedding anniversary in 2026. What I'm wondering is this: how far ahead did you book the travel company? Thanks again for all you do, and best wishes with the new baby.

I don't do camping and I don't like dehydrated stuff so I will be doing the inn to inn option. I am going next year in May

I’m from scotland and occasionally experience the west highland way midges for a short time before retreating up the mountains in the area

this is definitely a bucket list trail for me. my dad is scottish and i’ve always wanted to visit, but never knew the perfect way to see the country the way i wanted to. this is incredible! thanks for sharing with us, and congrats on completing the hike while pregnant! so excited for you to meet your little bean!

Scotland Appalachian

Very cool info. Certainly a trip I will add to my to do list. Very similar to how I just hike the TMB, I will Certainly do that again, maybe the Dolomites next year.

Buccleuch = Buc-clue is the closest. The first c is softer than Buck

I walked the WHW back in 2018 with a bunch of friends. Was an awesome experience and lovely views. We went on to do the east highland way afterwards which is a lot quieter than the WHW, less well marked and more wild. Total trip cost about £250 all in

What the heck is an obgyn?

thank you!

Snipes are real. Just saying! Thanks for all the info. Looks like a great hike!

Hi Dixie, a great video, as ever, thank you.
Having walked the WHW several times you were probably a bit unlucky not to have seen a Red Squirrel but sighting a Golden Eagle is very hit and miss.

Hey Dixie! Thank you for the tips! My wife and I are now planning a trip there.

I walked the WHW in Sept 2021. I booked it myself and stayed in camping cabins the whole way. They had platform beds inside (and electricity) so all I had to carry was a sleeping bag and pillow and they had shared bathrooms. It was cheaper than hotels but wasn’t full on camping. I loved this hike and plan to do it again soon! Thanks for sharing your experience!

fun vid

What did you think of the PAKA socks? Did they perform differently than darn tough? Do you have a preference?

Did you consider staying at hostels on the way? It seems like this would help with the cost, though would likely not have all the comforts of an inn.

Very interesting and wonderful tips!

Hi Dixie. Have you any plans to walk another trail in the UK?

Enjoyed the WHW trip videos, but really appreciate this bonus video. Thanks, Dixie!

I think quite a lot of people continue from Fort William and do the Great Glen Way to Inverness. The Great Glen Way passes Loch Ness and is roughly the same distance as the WHW

thank you

How dare they charge me day 1 on day 1, on the hiking tour!

❤