2021 Collection.
On October 6th 2020, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the West Highland Way by launching this on-line exhibition. Due to the pandemic, many people’s plans were disrupted in 2020, so here, a year on, are some of your stories from 2021.
Photo: Jane Jiminez, “The photo was taken from the top of the Devil's Staircase. Myself and my friends (the hikers in the photo) love going on adventures. We tackled the West Highland Way together from 28th August - 3rd September 2021. It was full of emotion as well as the geographical ups and downs.”
Solo adventures
Some people decide to take on the West Highland Way challenge on their own. Ian MacQueen told us: “So this was my first ever attempt of the WHW and I was doing it solo. The first day I was full of emotions including being excited and a bit nervous of the task ahead.”
On day 1, Ian was absolutely taken back with the views of Dumgoyne and the Campsie Fells and “knew then that this walk was the start of something special”. By the final day, Ian said “I will always remember and cherish the walk. Anyone thinking of doing the WHW…I wholeheartedly recommend doing so!”
“One of the many highlights on my walk”
“Day five was again another long walking day, Inveroran to Kinlochleven with a planned stop at Kingshouse hotel halfway through the walk, and I guess luck and timing comes into this photo.”
Ian MacQueen
“Wild Camping near Inveroran Hotel”
Ameena Rojee also did the walk solo saying the West Highland Way was “indescribably beautiful and difficult and bloody brilliant.”
In Memory
“Those who wander are not always lost”
Two sisters, Kim and Heather Mackins, walked the Way in memory of their father. Kim said, “To many these may be just typical photographs - to us, they show strength, resilience, appreciation, gratitude and a determination to forever be connected to the wilderness.”
“The West Highland Way was a beautiful experience to feel closer to our heritage and to be immersed in the present moment.”
Group Adventures
Some walk the West Highland Way with family and friends, with an organised group - or make friends along the way.
Kerrie Milne told us: "Started off as 3 and finished as 7. The joy of the West Highland Way is not just the walk and the beautiful scenery, it’s also about the amazing people you meet along the way."
Kirsty Low completed the 96 miles with Joey Gompels in August 2021.
“Most of our friends and family thought we were mad as we were practically strangers at the time. As you can imagine we are no longer strangers but very good friends.”
The photos below are of Chaz Hundal and his three friends, Bali, Glyn and Richard: “We walked the West Highland Way in May this year. It wasn’t all plain sailing, all 4 of us had sustained injuries ranging from blisters, cramps to back pain - but we soldiered on till we got to the finish line.”
”Wow - what a walk, what an adventure! It was amazing. We all thoroughly enjoyed it!”
Challenge yourself.
From young to old, we heard many stories of people completing the West Highland Way this year for charity.
Chris Collingwood said:
“My daughter and her friend completed the West Highland Way this summer. Their Swimming Club was on the verge of folding due to Covid, so they decided to do the walk to raise money for the club to save it.
My daughter (Isobel) was 11 at the time and her friend Isla was 10. They completed it in 5 and a half days, wild camped at night and then climbed Ben Nevis afterwards.
In the end they raised £3,000 for the club and received a motion of commendation from our MSP in parliament.”
What a fantastic achievement!
At the other end of the spectrum, pensioner Hillary Tarr says: “I embarked on the West Highland Way, together with my husband, as a sponsored walk to raise money for The Guild of the Royal Hospital of St Bartholomew.”
As most of their sponsors had no knowledge of the walk, surroundings or how to pronounce the place names, Hillary provided a helpful snapshot of their eight-day experience, including:
Day 3: Drymen to Rowardennan (Row as in ‘argument’) 14½ miles
Today we left the balmy south with views of the Campsie Fells, and at last had sight of Loch Lomond and the iconic Conic Hill where people snap the view down the Highland Boundary Fault, whether or not they know what that is!
Team McKeown had several walkers out this year raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, raising over £75,000. Comedian Jo Caulfield completed the 96 miles in 4 days in memory of her sister, Annie, who sadly died of lung cancer .
Louise Baillie was another member of Team McKeown and told us: “I loved walking the West Highland Way and am sure it will be an experience I talk about for years to come!”
Louise is pictured below with her brother.
Scroll down to see some more of your photos. You can then click on the button to enter Gallery 2.
Isobel (11) and her friend Isla (10)
Louise Baillie and her brother, part of Team McKeown, on Conic Hill
Tony Gillespie - back view of walker in heather
Caitlin McPhee - path along Loch Lomond
Matt Foster - bridge
Tony Gillespie - walker in Glencoe