Wildlife & Nature

The West Highland Way is a journey to remember and is listed as one of the world’s great trails by National Geographic.  Experience changing scenery every 30 minutes with rivers, fields, nature reserves, hills, lochs and mountains.

Outstanding Landscapes

Highlights include the beautiful ancient woodland, just outside of Milngavie. At Loch Lomond, the UK’s largest freshwater expanse of water, the effect of the Highland Boundary Faultline can be clearly seen from the summit of Conic Hill. This is where Scotland’s Lowlands and Highlands meet, In the distance you can see Ben Lomond, Scotland’s most southerly munro. On a clear day from its summit Ben Nevis, close to the end of the West Highland Way, is visible.

The fault cuts through some of the Loch Lomond islands, including Inchcailloch Island. This beautiful island is well worth a detour, using the on-demand ferry from Balmaha Boatyard. The island is a protected Nature Reserve, where birdlife flourishes. Beyond Inversnaid the West Highland Way passes through one of the two RSPB reserves in the National Park. Look out for information boards on the reserve, recording latest sightings.

Impressive mountain ranges such as Ben More, Beinn Dorain and the Blackmount range will provide distinctive landmarks along the route. The route goes through Rannoch Moor, one of the last remaining wildernesses in Europe. The dramatic scenery of Glencoe and the infamous Devil’s Staircase will literally take your breath away!

Fort William at the conclusion of the route is Scotland’s outdoor capital, and home of Ben Nevis, its highest mountain.

Nature

May is a popular time to walk the Way when much of the woodland is carpeted in swathes of bluebells and stitchwort.  In June, you may spot some wild orchids. 

All year round, keep an eye out for red squirrels, there is a wonderful trail in Balmaha - find out more information at the National Park Visitor Centre. Also at Balmaha Bay, as part of Weir’s Rest with the Tom Weir Statue you will find illustrative panels, introducing the wildlife and nature on view. You might even find some Highland Cow’s grazing on the fields beyond Balmaha.

You may also see the long-tailed fieldmouse, vole and common shrew, birds of prey including buzzards and hen harriers and deer – famously around Kingshouse.  In the woodlands along the shores of Loch Lomond, you may be lucky enough to see reptiles including adders, slow worms and common lizards basking in the summer sun at the edges of the paths. Look to the skies too for Ospreys that nest close to the banks of Loch Lomond.

Visit in autumn and you may hear the roar of red deer stags during the rutting season or spot a Ptarmigan camouflaged against the rocks around some of the highest points.  Listen out also for the distinctive call of wintering geese flying in their constantly changing formations.  

As you near Glencoe, rare sightings of wildcats, mountain hares, badgers and pine martens have also been reported.