Not the West Highland Way
by
Ronald Turnbull
2 POLICE SQUARE, MILNTHORPE, CUMBRIA LA7 7PY
About the Author
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
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
1 Hill Option: the Campsie Fells
2 Rowardennan Outing: Ben Lomond
3 Hill Crossing: Ben Lomond to Inversnaid
4 Hill Crossing: Beinn a' Choin
5 Inverarnan Outing: Beinn Chabhair
6 Hill Crossing: Ben Lui
7 Crianlarich Outing: An Caisteal and Beinn a' Chroin
8 Hill Crossing: the back of Beinn Dorain
9 Inveroran Outing: Ben Inverveigh and Meall Tairbh
10 Hill Crossing: Black Mount
11 Hill Crossing: Beinn a' Chrulaiste and the Blackwater
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