Not the West Highland Way. Ronald Turnbull

      After walking bits of it, bits of it backwards, above and around it, and a formal ‘Not the West Highland Way’, RT finally gave in… and walked the West Highland Way in March 2008. He still thinks not doing bits of it is even better.

      Ronald has won awards for his writing – the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild Award for excellence six times, in four different categories; and also for his walking – the Fell Running Association's long distance trophy for a journey over all the 2000ft hills of southern Scotland. He particularly enjoys unrolling his bivvy bag on summits large or small, and researching this book he has ‘bagged’ Ben Lui, Conic Hill and A’ Chruach on Rannoch Moor. His previous books for Cicerone include Three Peaks Ten Tors on long-distance and challenge walks, The Book of the Bivvy, and Ben Nevis and Glen Coe.

      Other Cicerone guides by the author

      The Cairngorms

      Ben Nevis and Glen Coe

      Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

      Walking the Lowther Hills

      The Book of the Bivvy

      Three Peaks Ten Tors

      Walking Highland Perthshire

      Walking the Jurassic Coast

      Walking in the Southern Uplands

      (Author photograph by Matt Scase)

      © Ronald Turnbull 2010

      First edition 2010

      ISBN: 978 1 85284 615 2

      Reprinted 2017 (with updates)

      Printed by KHL Printing, Singapore

      A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

      All photographs are by the author unless otherwise stated.

      Advice to Readers

      Readers are advised that, while every effort is made by our authors to ensure the accuracy of guidebooks as they go to print, changes can occur during the lifetime of an edition. Please check Updates on this book's page on the Cicerone website (www.cicerone.co.uk/615/updates) before planning your trip. We would also advise that you check information about such things as transport, accommodation and shops locally. Even rights of way can be altered over time. We are always grateful for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground, sent by email to [email protected] or by post to Cicerone, 2 Police Square, Milnthorpe LA7 7PY, United Kingdom.

      Warning

      Mountain walking can be a dangerous activity carrying a risk of personal injury or death. It should be undertaken only by those with a full understanding of the risks and with the training and experience to evaluate them. While every care and effort has been taken in the preparation of this guide, the user should be aware that conditions can be highly variable and can change quickly, materially affecting the seriousness of a mountain walk. Therefore, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law, neither Cicerone nor the author accept liability for damage of any nature (including damage to property, personal injury or death) arising directly or indirectly from the information in this book.

      To call out the Mountain Rescue, ring 999 or the international emergency number 112: this will connect you via any available network. Once connected to the emergency operator, ask for the police.

      Front cover: High-level day above the West Highland Way, along the Black Mount to Clach Leathad and Creise (Route 10)

      Back cover: Crossing the Mamores on a winter Not the West Highland Way walk

      CONTENTS

      Overview map

      Map key

       Overview of Routes

       INTRODUCTION

      The High Road and the Low

      When to go

      Safety in the mountains

      Maps

      How to use this book

      A Winter Not the West Highland Way

       PART 1 THE HIGH ROAD AND THE LOW

       Milngavie to Drymen

      1 Hill Option: the Campsie Fells

       Drymen to Rowardennan

       Rowardennan to Inversnaid

      2 Rowardennan Outing: Ben Lomond

      3 Hill Crossing: Ben Lomond to Inversnaid

       Inversnaid to Inverarnan

      4 Hill Crossing: Beinn a' Choin

      5 Inverarnan Outing: Beinn Chabhair

       Inverarnan to Tyndrum

      6 Hill Crossing: Ben Lui

      7 Crianlarich Outing: An Caisteal and Beinn a' Chroin

       Tyndrum to Inveroran

      8 Hill Crossing: the back of Beinn Dorain

      9 Inveroran Outing: Ben Inverveigh and Meall Tairbh

       Inveroran to Kings House

      10 Hill Crossing: Black Mount

       Kings House to Kinlochleven

      11 Hill Crossing: Beinn a' Chrulaiste and the Blackwater

       Kinlochleven to Fort William

      12 Hill Crossing: Mamores

      13 Hill Crossing: More Mamores

      14 Fort William Outing: Ben Nevis by the CMD Arête

       PART 2 BEGINNERISH BACKPACKING

      The excitement is in tents

      Midges are unpleasant

      May