West Highland Way

The following videos describe the whole of the route of the West Highland Way from the Glasgow suburb of Milngavie to the highland town of Fort William...

Part 1..Milngavie to Drymen

Part 2..Drymen to Balmaha

Part 3..Balmaha to Rowardennan

Part 4..Rowardennan to Inversnaid

Part 5..Inversnaid to Inverarnan

Part 6..Inverarnan to Crianlarich

Part 7..Crianlarich to Tyndrum

Part 8..Tyndrum to Inveroran

Part 9..Inveroran to Kingshouse

Part 10..Kingshouse to Kinlochleven

Part 11..Kinlochleven to Fort William

Beinn Dorain

Beinn Dorain, which is a munro, is the spectacular conical mountain you see from the A82 travelling north from Crianlarich and Tyndrum. Appearences are deceptive however since what you're seeing is the end on view of a long north-south ridge. The mountain is climbed by accessing the northern end of the ridge, at the col between Beinn Dorain and Beinn an Dothaidh.

This col is easily reached from Bridge of Orchy, following the path from Bridge of Orchy railway station into Coire an Dothaidh.

Here is the route map......

So the route is simple, a pleasant walk into the coire, turn right at the col and head south to the summit...no problem. Yet Beinn Dorain has a reputation of having a deceptive summit, with many walkers who think they've bagged it, not actually reaching the top. The problem is that there are actualy two tops, a slightly lower northern top and the true summit a few hundred yards further south. There is quite a dip down to a col between the two tops and the cairn on the lower top is well built and bigger than that of the summit. Thus, in mist and unable to see the summit, some one standing by the north top cairn may think they're at the top.

But not anymore....here Hillwalks in Pictures shows you the way....no more excuses for not bagging your munro !!

The Brack

The Brack is one of the "Corbetts", hills over 2500ft but less than 3000ft, of Glen Croe. (Note not the more famous Glen Coe which is further north). The A83 road from Arrochar runs through the glen and this walk starts from the visitor centre at Ardgartan, only a few miles from Arrochar. This is a walk that is not to be missed, with well made forest tracks, a rather exciting steep path to climb up the lower slopes, followed by a steady climb to the top on nice to walk on grassy slopes which weave round The Brack's rugged rocky interesting terrain. And all the way you are accompanied by superb views of this beautiful part of Scotland.

Here is the route......

From the Ardgartan Visitor Centre, take the track heading north from the car park. Follow this forest road as it runs parallel lto the A83 but further up the hill. After a couple of kilometres it reaches a junction. After a right turn here, the way-marked access path to the hill is soon reached. This path rises steeply through the trees then onto open hill. It then accompanies a stream up to gentler slopes at the base of the summit rocks. The path is lost here, but just head up the slopes to the left of the rocks to the col on the horizon. From here go right round the back of the summit rocks where a small path will be found which can be followed to the top.

To descend, head north from the summit, veering left to head in a roughly north-west direction down steep grassy slopes to the col between the Brack and Ben Donich. Here cross a fence and soon reach a path marked by white posts. Go right, following the path down to the forest, then through the forest to reach a forest road. Go right, sign-posted Ardgartan, which leads to the hill access path we climbed earlier, approached from the other direction. Reverse the outward route back to the start.

Here is the slide-show of the route......

The Whangie and Auchineden Hill

This is a short simple route which visits the Whangie, a narrow cleft in the rock at the west end of Auchineden Hill.

Starting at Queen's View car park, a few miles south of Drymen on the A809, the route heads west keeping low along the foot of Auchineden Hill. At the very west end of the hill, we turn south through the Whangie. On emerging from the cleft, the route visits the summit, then continues east along the ridge of the hill back to the start.

Here is the slide show.......

Beinn Dubh, Luss Hills

The cold winter has left little opportunity to take to the hills recently. The high mountains, under snow and ice, are really only suitable for experienced winter mountaineers, but as recent tragic events show, even they must be very very carefull in these difficult conditions.


So its the lower hills, with gentler, grassy slopes, that will provide the first stretch of the legs for the new season. Beinn Dubh, a long grassy ridge rising above the village of Luss on the west bank of Loch Lomond, should fit the bill nicely.





Here is the route......

A very simple route. From Luss, the A82 is crossed and the foot of the south east ridge is gained. Simply follow the ridge, ( there are paths lower down ), up to the flat summit. This walk is usually continued round the head of Glen Striddle to Mid Hill and then down to Glen Luss, further along the Glen Luss road. However, the snow on the hill was knee deep in places and walking was "challenging" to say the least. Also, the weather, which was pleasent enough in Luss, was very windy and gloomy at the top, with some rather threatening clouds. Therefore we return by the route of ascent.

Here is the slideshow........

Meikle Bin and the Carron Valley Reservoir

This walk ascends one of the more distinctive hills of the Campsies. It is quite a long walk of about 8 miles but gradients, even on the hill, are not too steep. It provides a variety of terrain, with excellent forest roads, dreadfully boggy paths, rough forest firebreaks and even ditches to be negotiated. The return takes in the shore of Carron Valley Reservoir, with views of the wind farm on the opposite bank....make of that what you will !



Here is the route....




Starting from the forest road opposite Todholes, the route follows these stoney but well made paths to the foot of Meikle Bin's north-west ridge. Here a very boggy path cuts through the trees, soon reaching the open hillside where a much better path ascends the ridge to the summit. To make a circular walk, continue south off the summit down a grassy path to a firebreak at the tree-line. Into this, very rough ground is negotiated, two ditches are crossed, and a branch going left (east) is taken. On leaving the trees, the path improves again, the route eventually joining the fine forest road network again for the remainder of the walk, which reaches the reservoir and follows it's south-western shore.

The video shows the route and the terrain......

Conic Hill

This walk starts from the village of Balmaha on the east bank of Loch Lomond. It's not a very high hill but there are four tops to explore and great views of Loch Lomond, Ben Lomond and the Arrochar hills. The return down the grassy ridge of Druim nam Buraich is delightful. It is neither too long nor too strenuous and provides a fun half day on the hills.

Here is the route......

From the back of the large car park at the visitor centre in Balmaha, the West Highland Way is followed through woodland then onto open hill. As it runs alongside the hill, the WHW is left to gain the ridge of Conic Hill . Walk along the ridge to visit the four tops. Return down the WHW back to Bealach Ard when instead of turning left down the ascent route, you can continue straight on along the grassy ridge of Druim nam Buraich. A path leads steeply off the end of this, down through woodland to the Balmaha - Rowardennan road. Turn left on this to return to Balmaha.

Here is the video.....