Notices
Events 2022
23 April 2022 – Highland Fling Race, 53 mile ultra-marathon, Milngavie to Tyndrum
2-7th May 2022 – Scottish Six Days Trial, Motorcycle Trials, Kinlochleven/Fort William
18 June 2022 – 2022 Altra West Highland Way Race (95 miles, Milngavie to Fort William)
August (tbc) 2022 – 42 mile Trail Ultramarathon, Devil o’ the Highlands race (Tyndrum to Fort William)
17/18 September 2022 – 7 races (trail and skyrunning) Skyline Scotland (around Kinlochleven/Lochaber)
WHW and Covid19/Coronavirus
To help protect yourself and others the latest advice from the Scottish Government is:
- get the vaccine or the vaccine booster
- take regular lateral flow tests – especially before mixing with other people
- follow the guidance on self-isolating and booking a test
- wear a face covering where required
- if mixing with others, try to gather in small groups only
- wash your hands regularly and cover your nose and mouth if coughing or sneezing
- open windows when meeting indoors
- work from home if you can – a mixture of home and office working will be allowed from 31 January
As always, more information and the latest guidance on Coronavirus can be found on the Scottish Government or NHS websites.
Please check the latest Scottish Government guidance on travel and transport for more information.
Ewich Forest (Crianlarich) – Tree Felling
From 9th December 2021, harvesting work is being undertaken in the north of Ewich forest (Crianlarich). Works are expected to take up to 12 weeks, with completion expected by mid-March 2022. Tree felling is taking place by the West Highland Way as per the map below, and for safety reasons, banksmen may be present to direct you. In the interests of safety, the West Highland way may be temporarily closed for a very short timeframe when harvesting is taking place next to the path. Please follow the local diversion and adhere to any guidance from the foresters. Thank you for your patience and understanding and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
We want your views!
There are currently some QR code signs out on the Way linking to a survey being conducted for us by Strathclyde Business School. It would be really helpful to get your views. You can complete the survey by clicking on this link.
There is also a monthly prize draw to win some WHW merchandise which you can enter if you would like by providing your email address at the end of the survey.
Thank you.
WHW Diversion around Garadbhan
UPDATE (1/12/21): the work below is now complete but there will be ditching and flailing works taking place in Garadhban, beginning on Friday 3rd December from the Craigievern Farm forest barrier right along the West Highland Way to the wooden pedestrian gate to Conic Hill. The WHW route and promoted trails of Craigievern (blue) and Millburn (green) will not be closed, but there will be temporary diversions in place where required and banks-persons on site to provide safe passage for any pedestrians. Please follow all on site safety signage and advice from on site operators. You may experience some delays whilst out in this area.
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There will be a diversion on the West Highland Way during November because of felling of Phytopthera diseased larch. The route over Conic Hill will be closed and people will be diverted down the low level route of Creity Hall Road and along the B837.
Works are scheduled to start on Friday 5th November for approx. 3-4 weeks, unless delayed by bad weather. See map below or click on link for more detail: Garadhban CP Barrier Map
Tyndrum Footway Improvements
The proposed footway improvement works on various sections of the A82 Trunk Road footway in Tyndrum, between Pine Trees Leisure Park and the Green Welly Stop, will commence on Monday 29th November 2021, with an anticipated duration of approximately 10 weeks.
The works, which will include footway reconstruction and installation of dropped kerbs and tactile paving at the relevant pedestrian crossing points, will be undertaken between 7am and 7pm each day, with no works currently planned for the weekends.
WHW Virtual Exhibition – 2021 Collection
Construction traffic on WHW at Kinlochleven
Please note that there will be a vehicular traffic on the access track from Kinlochleven up to Blackwater dam due to construction works at the base of the Blackwater Dam. The first section of the track from the village up to the lower penstock cottage is also shared by the West Highland Way. The traffic has reduced from that during the maintenance period of June & July however anyone using section should be aware of the possibility of meeting vehicles.
Contractors have been made aware to look out of walkers and cyclists during this time.
See map below for site location.
Works are being undertaken on behalf of www.greenhighland.co.uk
Updated 14/09/21
Top up taps
There are now four Scottish Water ‘Top up taps’ along the route of the West Highland Way. These are in Milngavie, Balmaha, Rowardennan and Fort William. You can now fill up water bottles before you leave as well as on the route. The taps are a part of the wider Your Water Your Life campaign.
Updated 05/10/21
Mountain Bothies open for ‘responsible use’
As of the 9th August, Mountain Bothies will be open for responsible use – for further information and guidance go to the Mountain Bothies Association website.
Updated 09/08/21
Route Update –Blackwater Dam Hydropower Development
Construction work is due to start at beginning of Dec 2020, and the targeted completion date is Autumn 2021. During this time various activities will be undertaken on a daily basis including access track construction, penstock (pipeline) burying, and intake construction.
The West Highland Way will remain open through out this time but there may be occasions that you will be asked to wait until the excavator is clear of path before continuing along the route, banksmen will be present (please take instruction from them) and there will be signage erected to help guide you safely across the site.
Notices will also be displayed at both Altnafead and Kinlochleven informing walkers of the works.
Contact details for the development are:
- Phone – 01738 493110
- Email – info@greenhighland.co.uk
See below for map of location.
Updated: 01/12/2020
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
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
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
