Notices
Update
The West Highland Way between Inversnaid and Crianlarich has sustained some damage during the storm that hit the area on the night of 4th/ 5th August. It remains open throughout this section, however extra care should be taken especially in poor weather conditions.
Site checks and engineer inspections are ongoing, however the following has been confirmed as at 16th August:
- Bein Glas campsite remains fully open and is accessible as usual from the West Highland Way.
- The Bridge from the A82 to Bein Glas farm has been damaged by flood water and fallen trees and is closed to vehicles and pedestrians.
- Access to Bein Glas campsite from the A82 for pedestrians and cars only is now via the signed gateway 1 mile north of Bein Glas bridge. Please note that access by camper vans, caravans and heavier vehicles is not permitted or possible. For further information please contact Beinglas Campsite – 01301 704 281. For those visiting the Drovers Inn, please contact them on 01301 704234
- The bridge over Allt a’Chuillin has been washed away. A short diversion is in operation at this location. Please note part of this diversion is on unsurfaced hillside
- The Estate report their engineer has confirmed the bridge at Derrydarroch is now operational for pedestrians use only, however extra care must be exercised here owing to the amount of debris swept onto the track and uneven surfaces round the bridge area.
- The section from Derrydarroch to Carmyle Cottage sustained some small landslip disturbance and a debris field is strewn across the route. Whilst this section is passable with care, cyclists should dismount when crossing this debris. Network Rail are working in the area to reinstate the embankment, track and culverts.
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
Any further updates will be placed on www.westhighlandway.org
Added: 9th August 2019 at 15:35
Skyline Scotland running weekend Kinlochleven 20th-22nd September
On Friday 20th, 250 runners proceed in a very long anticlockwise route and then descend the Ben and through the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre in the afternoon, and start back through the link path and on the West Highland Way for 1km but continue in the forest to the Lower Falls and beyond. There access on the WHW is dispersed over several hours. This is the first part of a 50km route.
On Saturday 21st, runners start at 9am and ascend from Kinlochleven to the top track – 2kms – and then continue over the Mamores. This is the first part of a 29km route, and is occupied by runners for about 30-minutes only.
Also on Saturday, 100 runners start at 1030am and complete a short 5km route anticlockwise before finishing, dispersed in the descent of the WHW from the top track back to the public B road. This is a new Trail Race put on for the younger and less expert runners > to be more inclusive.
For this section of WHW in particular we have information/warning signage in place days before, and marshals positioned at lower junctions. Our experience over previous years is that there are very few WHW walkers on these days and at these timings, but also that anecdotally, any walker experiencing the event has not seen it an imposition, but an enhancement to witness.
Information signage is placed at all car parks and WHW interfaces with public roads, between Glen Coe, Kinlochleven and Glen Nevis.
On Sunday 22nd, 250 runners start at 7am and ascend from KLL the Pipeline section of the WHW and onwards to Altnafeadh. Several hours later they return from the Aonach Eagach and descend the WHW back down to KLL. This is the first part of a 29km route.
For further information please see the event website here
Added: 9th September 2019
Tyndrum Diversion 23/08/2019
A new bridge is being built near Dalrigh on the approach to Tyndrum and there will be a diversion in place for the WHW. Walkers are being redirected to use the parallel cycle path and there will be National Park signage on the ground to guide walkers around this section.
Works are expected to take a few weeks.
Timber Harvesting – Duntreath
Timber operations are due to start towards the end of the week commencing 24th 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
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
Way Made Easier
A section of the West Highland Way, on the old Military Road south of Kinlochleven has recently been improved. For more information please see here
Added: 3rd July 2018
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 http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/keep-it-clean
