Connectedness
Photo: The Highland Boundary Fault from Conic Hill, Jane McGeary
“CONNECTEDNESS: the state of being connected and having a close relationship with other things or people”
– Cambridge Dictionary
Most people who walk the West Highland Way experience a close sense of connection to the amazing landscapes, heritage and wildlife - or the companions that they walk with or even meet along the trail. Feeling connected to nature enhances our wellbeing and can encourage us to care for the environment, so walking a trail such as the West Highland Way may have beneficial effects not only for individuals but also the planet. In this 2023 gallery, we explore some of the ways that people feel a sense of connectedness to different aspects of the West Highland Way.
“I contemplated the route I walked and thought about those who walked here centuries ago”
Laura E. Partain is a photographer from Nashville, Tennessee. As she explains below, she felt a connection to the West Highland Way from across the Atlantic through the Appalachian Trail which is near her home. This link was recognised in 2010 when the West Highland Way became the first European Chapter of the International Appalachian Trail (IAT). You can find out more about the history of the West Highland Way here.
“Living and hiking near the Appalachian Mountains here in America, I've often pondered the history of our mountain range. A part of this thinking has led me to dwell on how, aeons ago, these mountains were connected to those in Scotland. In 2023, I made the leap across the pond and landed in Glasgow for a 156 mile journey, 96 of which were the West Highland Way.
As I made my way to Fort William, I was often amazed how similar these hills and mountains felt to the ones I knew. The year before this journey, while walking along the Appalachian Trail, I met a thru-hiker named Kat. We became good friends while walking together for a few days, though she continued on to complete the over 2,000 mile trail. Now living in England, Kat took the train up to join me for the West Highland Way. Together we walked six days and wild camped every night.
I had never been to Scotland before, but I felt at home. Beyond loads of sheep, beautiful lochs, and mighty Munros, I equally cherish the moments of spotting red deer, otter, a pine martin, robins, snow buntings, and more. I gazed at elusive stands of Scots Pines and Atlantic Oaks and imagined what it was like when this place was blanketed in the great Caledonian Forest. I contemplated the route I walked and thought about those who walked here centuries ago.
Like anyone who has walked the West Highland Way, you know it's almost impossible to sum up your experience in any brief fashion. I know my own walk was one of contemplation, joy, and persistence, all wrapped up with a bow of mountains, moorland, and beauty beyond what meets the eyes and boots."
Above: Walker passing through Lairigmor, Laura E. Partain
Click here to see more of Laura and Kat’s adventure in Laura’s beautiful black and white photos.
“People with good nature connectedness tend to be happier”
One of the big draws of the West Highland Way is the opportunity to immerse oneself in the landscapes and connect with nature.
According to a report by the Mental Health Foundation Scotland: “Spending time in nature is good for us for lots of reasons. “Fresh air and exercise” has long been recommended as a way for many to feel better, physically and mentally. Now evidence shows us that the quality of our relationship with nature is part of the reason for its positive impact on our wellbeing. Researchers use the term “connectedness” to describe the ideal relationship. Connectedness refers to the way we relate to nature and experience nature. A strong connection with nature means feeling a close relationship or an emotional attachment to our natural surroundings.” (‘Nature: How connecting with nature benefits our mental health’)
Even just looking at the West Highland Way photos in the gallery below could help you feel more connected to nature.
Siskin at Bridge of Orchy (Credit: Rachel Hearn)
Buachaille Etive Mòr (credit: Robert Marshall)
Red Squirrel (credit: Maggie McCallum, Seasonal Ranger & Volunteer)
Rainbow on Ben Lomond (credit: Craig Brooks)
Highland Cow at Inversnaid (credit: Paul Saunders)
Loch Lomond (credit: Jane McGeary)
View from Ba Bridge (credit: Jamie Proudfoot)
Stonechat at Crianlarich (credit: Rachel Hearn)
A crisp morning at Carbeth (credit: Robert Marshall)
Scotch Argus butterfly (credit: Alistair MacPherson)
Heather (credit: Jane McGeary)
Bluebells (credit: Jamie Proudfoot)
Lochan of the Lost Sword (credit: Jamie Proudfoot)
Sheep on the way to Tyndrum (credit: Jane McGeary)
Fungi (credit: Robert Marshall)
Bee on thistle (credit: Jane McGeary)
Ancient Caledonia Pine at dawn (credit: Alistair MacPherson)
Trees near Rowardennan (credit: Jane McGeary)
Polly Martin
CEO of National Trails UK
“It’s all about connection”
Polly Martin is Chief Executive of National Trails UK (NTUK), a new charity launched last year to promote and protect the inspirational network of trails that uniquely connects people, landscapes and nature across the UK.
“It’s all about connection; that’s the really simple and beautiful idea behind the trails and behind NTUK as well,” says Polly.
“The trails connect physical places, but they also connect people with nature, history and heritage. They connect people with each other and with themselves.”
“We talk about the trails in terms of tangible and intangible heritage…Intangible heritage is that spine-tingling sense of connection you get from traversing routes that have been travelled by humans over hundreds of thousands of years. To me, that sense of touching history, and being part of continuing history, is absolute magic.”
(As told to Nick Hallissey, Country Walking Magazine, October 2023)
Volunteering
For some people, walking the West Highland Way has led to an extended connection to the trail through volunteering.
Robert Marshall
“When I first did the West Highland Way in 1993 for charity, I thought, “I’ll never do that again”. However, the memory of that walk kept gnawing at me and pulling me back. The following year I did it again with my Munro walking mate over five days which was very enjoyable and … I was thoroughly hooked by long distance walking. The scenery, the fresh air, the ice cold fresh water, the wildlife, and of course, the people you meet and chat to from all over the world. In the great outdoors there’s a connection between like-minded people that’s hard to find anywhere else.
Quite a few years on and many WHWs later, I was getting near to retirement and looking at volunteering opportunities. One such opportunity was within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park which I joined early in 2018 and I have enjoyed every volunteer day since then, many of which have been on the upkeep of the WHW.
Am I connected to the WHW? Without a doubt the answer is a resounding ‘yes’. I want everyone to walk it to see the wonderful views and landscape and waterfalls and wildlife and… and… and... That’s why I help to fix bits of path.
The WHW was my first long distance walk and it draws me back more than any other. Therefore, while I can still walk, I’ll be out there as a part of the WHW.”
Lunchtime on a December volunteer day near Rowardennan (credit: Robert Marshall)
A January volunteer day near Derrydarroch (credit: Robert Marshall)
A March volunteer day removing fallen trees north of Inversnaid (credit: Robert Marshall)
Donald between Inversnaid & Inverarnan in 2013 (credit: Donald Gillies)
Donald & friend on the way to Bridge of Orchy in 2016 (credit: Donald Gillies)
Donald & Ken on Volunteer Ranger duties in 2019 (credit: Donald Gillies)
Donald's daughter Chloe in 2019 (credit: Donald Gillies)
Donald Gillies
“I first walked the West Highland Way in 2007 and have since walked it a further four times (2013, 2016, 2019 & 2021) with another trip currently being planned.
I first walked it just to accompany my two friends who were training to walk the Inca Trail and I certainly did not expect it to grab me the way it did and leave me wanting to do it over and over again. The fresh air, the changeable weather, the views, the wildlife, the memories and the worldwide friendships that have been forged on the Way will stay with me forever. I've walked it with friends, family, colleagues, fellow Volunteer Rangers, strangers who became great friends and by myself for a few days, as well as raising money for charity.
In 2019, fellow Volunteer Rangers Emma, Ken and I set off on our West Highland Way adventure. After spending many occasions carrying out Volunteer Ranger duties on sections of the Way we decided to do the walk together. The stories and laughter we shared on the Way will never be forgotten.
My most recent walk was with my daughter Chloe in 2021. She surprised me in 2019 by meeting me in Kinlochleven to walk the final day and, when we arrived in Fort William, the first thing she asked was when I would walk the full Way with her? So that's how I ended up doing it again!”
Business links
There are around 200 businesses who are either based on or provide services to walkers on the West Highland Way, including accommodation, food and drink, baggage transfer, retailers, booking services and guided or self-guided trips. Walkers rely on all the links in the chain being connected so that they can complete the 96-mile trail. Many business operators are drawn to the amazing landscapes on the West Highland Way - and are also aware of the need to protect the nature around them.
Hayley and Chris refurbished and opened their vegan B&B, Greenstone Lodge, in April 2023. Hayley says:
“From the second we moved 500 miles to our new home and business in Bridge of Orchy we have felt an incredible connection to this beautiful place and to the community that have made us so welcome.
Exploring the local area has been a real joy and has shown us the most epic scenery of our lives. Rare moments of spare time have been spent exploring the West Highland Way and its surrounds, swimming in waterfalls and lochs and getting to know the incredible wildlife on our doorstep.
As a 100% plant-based business we strive to respect this landscape through our own actions; in the food we cook, the products we use and by reducing our impact wherever possible.”
Photos below: Greenstone Lodge
How can I help support & protect Scotland’s best-loved trail?
We want the West Highland Way to be accessible to as many people as possible but 96 miles requires a lot of upkeep!
There are various ways that you could support the trail:
make a donation below; buy an official West Highland Way passport to record your journey; fundraise for the West Highland Way; or volunteer.
Coming soon… Nature storymap…
If you have wildlife or nature photos/videos taken on the West Highland Way, we would love to see them! Email us for more information.
Above image: credit Adrienne Sharp
Have you enjoyed this West Highland Way gallery?
Spend some time looking at other galleries in this virtual exhibition featuring different aspects of the West Highland Way such as Gaelic stories, Carbeth and Letters from Along the Way from 2022.
You could also learn about the early days of Scotland’s first long distance route, look at more examples of Wildlife & Nature or enjoy some of the creativity the Way has inspired in Your WHW.