We are delighted to say that Davey the little terrier dog has been found safe and well in Onich, having gone missing from the West Highland Way stage into Fort William. Well done to his owners Helen and Mike and to all local residents who looked for him. A happy ending!

(Pete Ellis writes)
Tuesday 3rd May, 8 intrepid Canadians (4 Parkers and 4 Wallaces) plus Pete arrive at the start point of the West Highland Way in Milngavie. The arrival, 10am, had been delayed by pressing business at a well-known supermarket. Being soon after Easter, it appears that chocolate mini-eggs were on special offer and a substantial supply was bought up for the week.


At Milngavie, ready to hit the trail

So, after the usual photo-call, off we set in glorious sunshine. A gentle first day soon saw us in Drymen.

Wednesday also dawned bright and sunny, and after a short diversion in Garadhban Forest, the whole group made it to the top of Conic Hill for a splendid view over Loch Lomond. Well done to Les and Bill, who have now summited two hills in Europe!


Approaching Conic Hill and Loch Lomond

After a leisurely lunch, the woods beside Loch Lomond proved more taxing than expected, not helped by the leader saying ‘this is the last little bit of up’ only to find another little bit of up around the next corner. Fortunately the said leader found a pair of earmuffs hanging from a tree, which were put to very good use when the barracking started (I must remember to take them on future trips!).


Loch Lomond in evening light

Thursday, and along the shores of Loch Lomond. Three days on the trail, and still no rain – could it last? The ambiance of the Drovers’ Inn was enjoyed in the evening.

Friday: not so sunny but still dry. A small area of mud/muck was encountered which necessitated the leader applying the earmuffs for a while until things had quietened down. The chocolate mini-eggs were still being liberally distributed.

Saturday: a long day ahead, 30km from Tyndrum to Kingshouse. An unpromising start (light showers) soon improved to give a largely dry day. In the afternoon, a long and loud rumble of thunder caused a quickening of the pace, but the dark clouds over the Blackmount hills fortunately didn’t amount to anything: Rannoch Moor is not the best place to be in a thunderstorm! A very welcome drink was enjoyed at the Kingshouse, before transferring to the Clachaig for the night.


At Ba Bridge on Rannoch Moor

Sunday: pretty wet, but only a short day so plenty of time in Kinlochleven to dry out. Luckily, the rain and clouds held off for long enough to get a good view of Ben Nevis from the top of the Devil’s Staircase. With the rain falling, there wasn’t much interest in hearing about Patrick MacGill and the hard life of the navvies that built the Blackwater dam in the early 1900s.


Belted Galloways, that distinctive breed

Monday: showers again, but views in between. And soon we were strolling down Fort William’s High Street to the new finish of the West Highland Way in Gordon Square – and the man will still be sat on the bench rubbing his foot!

So, another good week amongst the mountains of Scotland, with the usual mix of Scottish weather. And thanks to a great group of clients: we had a load of fun, lots of banter, a few cuckoo impressions, and we consumed 27 packets of chocolate mini-eggs. Is that a record?

West Highland Way - our WHW trek, available guided in 2012

A dog has been lost on the West Highland Way near Kinlochleven, on Sunday 15 May 2011. His name is Davey and he is a terrier cross, brown, and 2 years old.

Davey was seen in good condition in the area of the fish farm on the road between Kinlochleven and North Ballachulish, towards the North Ballachulish end, on Sunday 22 May, not on the WHW route itself.

Davey's owners have led an exemplary search and are extremely keen to find him. If you see Davey please call Helen on 07747 807 734. Thank you.


Davey afoot in the Highlands

Contact us

(Pete Ellis writes)
I have just returned from a trip to check and update all the Pennine Way route cards.

Crumbling dry stone walls in Calderdale, above Hebden Bridge

I had my doubts about starting the Pennine Way on the 1st April, but my misgivings over the date proved unfounded. 16 days walking in largely dry conditions, surrounded by the sights and sounds of spring, have been a pure joy. Spring is such a wonderful time to be out in the hills: the lapwings have been doing their tumbling display flight, the snipe have been drumming, the Golden Plovers have been making their plaintive calls, and I heard my first cuckoo of the year.

An Emperor Hawkmoth

All the fresh green growth has given the countryside a wonderful new look after the drabness of the winter. Other sights have included lots of young lambs, spring flowers, frog spawn, and a few less-often seen animals such as an Emperor Hawkmoth and a large Grass snake.

In Baldersdale

And I was not alone on the trail, even at this time of year. Three others started on the same day as me and I met a number of people doing the route in smaller chunks. To the regulars that I kept meeting: thanks for your conversation, friendship and camaraderie. You really help to ‘make’ a trip like this.

High Cup, the magnificent sight before reaching Dufton

I’m pleased to report that Alpine Exploratory’s routecards were mostly accurate for 2011, but a few areas needed updating. If you previously struggled with the Alston to Middleton section, then you were not alone! But all should be plain and simple now.

Low Force on the River Tees... High Force comes later on

So what’s my next appointment with Alpine Exploratory? Leading the West Highland Way in 2 weeks’ time. I can’t wait!

Nearing The Cheviot, the major hill on the last stage

Pennine Way
West Highland Way

Here are photos from our recces in the Highlands of Scotland, for the West Highland Way and Great Glen Way. Autumn was on full display in this the first week of November 2010, with superb colours in the forests.

We have added detours and variations to our Great Glen Way routecards and popped in to see lots of our hoteliers and B&B owners. Great fun as always.


In Kinlochleven, the West Highland Way passes the Ice Factor, a climbing centre housed in part of the old aluminium works.


Now on the Great Glen Way, here's a hull of an old boat on the shores of Loch Lochy.


Looking North along Loch Lochy; this is the GGW path.


Further up the Great Glen, on Loch Ness, a flock of birds flew down the water.


Night time in Inverness, the vibrant little city and end of the GGW.


The last stage of the GGW crosses rolling landscapes.


These are the GGW marker posts.


Now down the Great Glen at Invergarry, a typical Highland cottage.


Between Loch Lochy and Loch Arkaig is the Clan Cameron Museum, reachable from the Great Glen Way.


Loch Arkaig is also a detour from the GGW. This is a loch that extends from a relatively accessible part of Lochaber to the fringes of Knoydart, one of the more remote areas of the Scottish mainland.


A rickety old bridge over the outflow of Loch Arkaig.


Back towards Spean Bridge, a new path passes General Wade's ruined High Bridge.

Please don't hesitate to email or call us to discuss these two superb treks for 2011. Thank you.

West Highland Way
Great Glen Way

Here is Corrie the dog pictured in June 2009 on the Devil's Staircase, West Highland Way. It's no mean feat for a dog to walk 100 miles in a week. Well done!




West Highland Way

Another spectacle takes place each year on one of our long-distance paths, this time in Scotland. At 1am on 23 June 2007 runners set off from Milngavie to complete the West Highland Way to Fort William in under 35 hours. The record has been brought under 16 hours and a total of 76 runners completed the 2007 race.

West Highland Way Race - the official website of the race