Notices

WHW and Covid19/Coronavirus

Some facilities have been open along the West Highland Way as per Scottish Government guidelines since 15 July but it is essential for you to check with each business, book ahead and check latest guidelines before setting out. Please do not expect everything to be back to normal – follow latest guidance on physical distancing, face masks and hygiene, be sensitive to local communities and do not meet in large groups. Businesses in more remote spots may be operating limited menus and hours or may not be open at all – please ensure you check ahead and have enough supplies.

As long stretches of the West Highland Way are within the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park, please read their advice to visitors.

The West Highland Way Management Group is monitoring the Coronavirus situation closely and following advice from the Scottish Government and the NHS. We recommend that you do the same.

Any further updates will be added to this page www.westhighlandway.org/notices

Can you help Scotland’s Red Squirrels?

The Great Scottish Squirrel Survey returns this autumn, following the success of its launch in 2019 where over 600 people reported 828 squirrel sightings in just one week. Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) is calling on the nation once again to explore the great outdoors. Between 21-27 September (National Red Squirrel Week) we want to see more people than ever looking out for both red and grey squirrels.

Squirrel sightings should be recorded on the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels website

Updated: 16/09/2020

A82 planned maintenance

BEAR Scotland, acting on behalf of Transport Scotland are planning to carry out essential carriageway maintenance works on the A82 Trunk Road, between Tarbet and Ardlui. These works are programmed for construction between Sunday 13^th September and Thursday 1^st October 2020 under a night-time closure. The works will be carried out each night between the hours of 8pm and 6am. No works will be undertaken on Friday or Saturday nights. A diversion plan will be implemented during the closure period.

More information can be found on the Transport Scotland website.

Updated: 02/09/2020

Route Update

The West Highland Way between Inversnaid and Crianlarich sustained some storm damage at the end of Summer 2019. The section has remained open, however extra care should be taken especially in poor weather conditions.

Please follow the diversion signs that maybe in place on this section due to any repair work taking place.

Useful numbers:

Ardlui Hotel: 01301 704243
The Drovers Inn: 01301 704234
Beinglas Campsite: 01301 704 281
Cruise Loch Lomond: 01301702356
Citylink Buses: 0141 352 4444
Waterbus timetable
Scotrail

Any further updates will be placed on www.westhighlandway.org

Updated: 29/09/2020

WHW 40th Anniversary campaign and Exhibition Coordinator

We are looking for a creative consultant to work on an exciting campaign this summer which will celebrate the West Highland Way and culminate in an online exhibition in the autumn.

The West Highland Way stretches 96 miles (154km) from Milngavie to Fort William and attracts a growing number of UK and overseas visitors. This year, the route celebrates its 40^th anniversary but at a time when people are unable to travel far or walk the full route yet, our campaign will remind everyone how beautiful our landscape is and why Scotland’s No 1 long distance route is well worth the wait until you may head out to the hills once again.

You will be a good communicator and media savvy. You will ‘put out a call’ to all walkers of the West Highland Way to send us, digitally, their best photos, stories, memorable moments, quick videos and comments to share from their own West Highland Way experience over the past 40 years. You will sift, select and curate the material for display to showcase the beauty and majesty of the views; the fun, laughter and tears along the route; the friends our walkers journeyed alongside and encountered along the way. You will liaise with the originators of the creative content on stories and usage rights and work with our West Highland Way Business Development Manager to develop short films, an online show and some physical exhibition material which can tour to communities along the Route and to other places. The outputs will be a legacy of this special anniversary project which has funding support approved by the LEADER programme. For more information about the West Highland Way visit https://www.westhighlandway.org/

Consultant: With social media, photography, film-making and/or marketing expertise.
Contract: 10 – 12 weeks, starting late July 2020
Location: Working from consultant’s own home or studio. Formal reporting base is at Carrochan, HQ of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, Balloch G83 8EG

This short-term consultancy role will deliver the campaign and 40^th anniversary exhibition as an element of a much bigger Project Plan towards the future sustainability of the West Highland Way. Sound marketing and engagement with local businesses and communities is involved, so excellent communication, influencing, negotiating and organisational skills are essential.

Degree qualified or equivalent in a related discipline, you’ll have a proven track record in achieving excellence in project and contract management. As someone who has experience in developing and delivering events or exhibitions, you will thoroughly plan how to approach, develop and deliver this campaign and its associated outputs to a high quality and within the timeframe available, exploring and maximising on any additional potential opportunities. You will be confident, credible and proactive and will instil confidence and trust from colleagues in your professional advice.

If you want to grasp this opportunity to play a key role in contributing to the development and sustainability of one of Scotland’s most iconic long distance routes, then please visit our website for details about how to apply: www.lochlomond-trossachs.org or www.westhighlandway.org.

Please submit your quotation via Public Contracts Scotland by 12 noon on Monday 6 July 2020. Further details are also available on this link.

https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN388513

The National Park Authority is committed to equal opportunities for all and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Closing time and date: Noon, Monday 6 July 2020

Provisional Interview date: Wednesday 15 July 2020

This project is being funded by the LEADER programmes of Forth Valley and Lomond, Argyll and the Islands, and Highland. LEADER is funded through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Scottish Government.

Added: 19/06/2020

Timber Harvesting – Duntreath

Timber operations are due to start towards the end of the week commencing 24^th June on Duntreath Estate. There is a section of the site that requires an access road for timber lorries to cross over the West Highland Way. Please see map below showing the areas of operations.

Contractors will ensure that all approaches, on the path and access road, have the appropriate warning signs in place and will continuously monitor these to ensure they stay in place.

Added: 25th June 2019

Top up taps installed on West Highland Way

Scottish Water have installed a top up tap in Milngavie at the start of the West Highland Way and another in Fort William at the end of the route.

Scottish Water have produced this short video about the taps.

Added: 2nd April 2019

Livestock on West Highland Way

Please be aware that sections of the route go through working farms where livestock will be present, not all sections are able to have diversions.

Please pay particular attention when walking with dogs as there will be sheep with lambs and cows with calves along the route. Both can be easily disturbed and also could potentially be a danger, see advice below:

The information below is a short summary of the key things to remember from the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

The Access Code says:

Access rights apply to people walking dogs as long as their dogs are kept under proper control. Your main responsibilities are:

Farm animals:
- Never let your dog worry or attack farm animals.
- Don’t take your dog into fields where there are lambs, calves or other young farm animals.
- If you go into a field of farm animals, keep your dog(s) on a short lead or under close control and keep as far as possible from the animals.
- If cattle react aggressively and move towards you, keep calm, let the dog go and take the shortest, safest route out of the field.

For further information see the Scottish Outdoor Access Code website here

Scottish Six Day Trials

The Scottish Six Day Trials are an annual event which has taken place in the area around Fort William since 1977.

The event itself has little impact on the West Highland Way, but you are likely to come across spectators who may use the path to access the Trials route. You may find that while the Trials are taking place, Fort Williams can be busy with spectators and support crews.

You can find more information on the trials at http://www.ssdt.org/.

Keep it clean

Our forests are at risk from tree pest and diseases. Tree diseases can travel. That’s not new but the increase in global trade and the impacts of climate change mean the foresters are tackling an increasing number of problems at once.

Pests and diseases can hitch a ride in mud and debris on your shoes, dog’s paws and bike tyres, ending up in new forests. We’re doing everything we can but we need your help too.

Before a forest visit, make sure you’ve cleaned your shoes, your bike, your kit and your dog too.

This helps slow disease spread, preserving our woodlands now and for future generations. Together we can help control the spread of diseases.

For more information visit https://forestryandland.gov.scot/keep-it-clean