Tag Archives: Kinlochleven

The West Highland Way – Kinlochleven to Fort William

August 10, 2022Hiking, Scotland, TravelFort William, Kinlochleven, Sore Foot statue, West Highland Waykarenfranza

August 10 – This will be our last day on the West Highland Way.

Another sunny day – this time with midges! We were warned to expect these little black biters throughout the hike, but today was the first time we encountered them in significant numbers. We applied our Smidge bug spray, then ended up putting on face nets. Haven’t worn these since Wisconsin!

We met the French lady and her daughter again

The last few miles of the day were spent walking through the outskirts of Fort William – the first town of appreciable size we’ve seen in weeks.

Here is the original end of the West Highland Way. As we were positioning ourselves for a selfie, who should arrive but Angela – our third time bumping into her. She took the pic for us.

We walked into the center of town to find the statue that marks the current end of the trail.

So now we are in Fort William, where we will remain for a few days rest. Our B and B room has a lovely view of Loch Linnhe that we can admire as we recline in our very comfy bed. Life is good.

The West Highland Way – the Devil’s Staircase to Kinlochleven

August 9, 2022Hiking, Scotland, TravelDevil’s Staircase, Kinlochleven, West Highland Waykarenfranza

August 9 – For our penultimate day on this hike, we are climbing the Devil’s Staircase – the highest point on the trail. Our taxi driver Peter arrived promptly at 9am to take us back around the mountain to the point on the trail where the ascent begins.

The mountaintops are covered in cloud, but the day is bright and no rain is expected. I looked behind and took a picture of the little white house across the road.

As we climbed, the house got smaller…

And smaller…

And smaller still.

Can you still see the little house?

And we climbed higher and higher.

Until we got to the top!

Then there was the long walk down the other side.

We met Angela again!

And a man with a dog coming up the other side.

We ate our lunch on a sunny rock, then walked down into Kinlochleven.

Kinlochleven depends on the salmon industry

Approaching our hotel, we admired some front garden kitsch. We thought this yard was pretty cool:

Until we saw this one – definitely the best!

The West Highland Way – Bridge of Orchy to Kingshouse

August 8, 2022Hiking, Scotland, TravelBridge of Orchy, Kingshouse, Kinlochleven, red stag, West Highland Waykarenfranza

August 8 – This morning we met a Hungarian and two Dutch on our way out of town. More mossy woods, climbing up, up and up some more.

We are on our way to Kingshouse, which we think is a hotel, not a town.

Once again, we walk past beautiful mountains topped with clouds, down a stony path or an old military road. It’s chilly today, with a steady wind.

We are attracted to the micro-flowers that grow here.

We see Kingshouse in the distance, surrounded by trees. Kingshouse was built as an inn in the 1750s – the only place to stop for miles around. Things haven’t changed very much!

In addition to the hotel, there is a bunkhouse and places for tent camping. Even so, our tour people couldn’t find us a room at Kingshouse, so they arranged a taxi to pick us up here and take us to the next town.

Standing majestically right in front of the hotel was a red stag – the first wildlife we’ve seen.

I’m sure he was tamed by being fed by tourists, but he is still a thrilling sight.

We shared a taxi with a young Canadian woman, Chloe, who works in London. She has been hiking with her little dog, but the rocks and gravel proved too much for little paws.

Our taxi driver Peter is a local man from Kinlochleven. He told us that he once drove Claire Foy and James McAvoy in this very cab, when they were here on location to shoot a film (My Son, not available in the U.S.) He stopped a few times so we could take pictures.