Notices

Tree Harvesting Works – Ewich Forest

From the 25^th January 2021, harvesting work is commencing in the Ewich forest (Crianlarich). The main WHW route through the forest will be largely unaffected, however tree felling is taking place on the Drover’s Loop/WHW spur (linking into Crianlarich). For safety reasons, this short link will be closed to public access for approx.. 1 – 2 weeks – please follow the local diversion and adhere to any guidance from the foresters.

 Updated 18/01/21

Scottish Six Day Trials – 2021 Cancelled

The Edinburgh and District Motor Club has taken the decision, as a result of the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, to cancel the 2021 SSDT and the Pre’65 Scottish trials.

 Updated 11/01/21

Highland Fling Ultra Marathon – 2021 Cancelled

Message from race organisers 10th September 2020:

The main reasons for this decision are as follows:

1) We do not want to be responsible for facilitating ANY spread of Covid-19 within the population.

2) The event takes over 12 months to organise and at present it is impossible to confirm various important bookings for April 2021. All the businesses integral to the event were massively supportive when we cancelled this year’s event back in March and we cannot ask them to take our bookings, knowing there is a high possibility that the event will again not go ahead and they will again lose out financially.

We know that runners love doing races and this news may be disappointing but safety has always been our main priority at the event. During the current pandemic this priority also extends to the wider population.

Further information on Highland Fling

 Updated 11/01/21

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