- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances SJPP to SdC Oct/Nov 2015
Frances Burgos toSdC March/April 2016
W. Highland Way August 2016
Camino Somewhere September 2017
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My next project after the Camino Primitivo will be climbing Snowdon and I can´t wait
Might do it in Spring and all depends on the weather. Might be too late this year for itSnowdon sounds like fun! When are you planning on doing it?
I also have just not long finished walking the West highland Way....a beautiful walk, but certainly not without its challenges, especially those big rocks, tree roots, gale force winds and icy cold rain. Such a wonderful, sense of achievement at the end though, even though I ended up in hospital with a badly twisted knee......i agree about the Scottish people .....so friendly, helpful and, also curious. After the walk, we spent our time exploring around, eventually ending up in Edinburgh where the last days of The Fringe Festival and the Edinburgh Tatoo were on....a magical trip indeed.Some time ago--well, August 18th!--I left the USA for the UK. In brief, I asked my husband to walk the Camino with me, but he admitted that he really wanted to visit Scotland and England. In particular, he wanted to go to Patrington, England to see the home of some ancestors. He also wanted to go to the Scottish Highlands, to see the home of his Scottish clans.
I began the research, and discovered two long-distance walks: first, The John Muir Trail, which is fairly new. When I discovered the West Highland Way--one of the oldest of the Scottish long-distance walks--I knew it would be the best one for us. First, it began just north of Glasgow, in a small town called Milngavie (pronounce Mullguy), and it ended in the Highlands, near the seat of the Cameron clan--some of my husband's ancestors.
I knew that walking 96 miles through Scotland could present challenges (midges--a tiny, annoying mosquito swarm that means business) but because Jay is exceptionally fit, I did not anticipate that he would struggle with walking. Neither--neither!--of us did!
I will say about the WHW:
1. In my opinion, it is a bit more challenging than Camino Frances, because of the humidity, rain and roughness of some of the terrain. The walking around Lake Lommond was strenuous--narrow path with lots of rocks (slippery) and a few boulders to squeeze through, not to mention tree roots that you can catch your foot on.
2. It is more expensive than CF in Spain, at least for me. The food was quite good, but I adore the food in Spain so darn much.
3. The people in Scotland are wonderfully helpful and curious, as are the people I found in Spain. I also found that people from all over the world are walking the WHW.
4. For me (and your mileage may vary), it was most helpful to get a bit of help from our Camino Forum before going about how to get around London and how to find accommodations on the WHW. I used MacAdventures, which I discovered after reading someone's post about them wayyyyyy back in March. On the WHW, a lot of European younger folk were using sleeping bags and tents, and there are places to camp along the way, but with all the rain and midges, I would not want to. B and B's then were the way to go. Not as inexpensive as albergues though!
The WHW becomes amazingly beautiful in the later stages, as one walks along large mountains and hills. The greenery and the hills and mountains, and particularly Ben Nevis, are amazing. Ben Nevis, the largest mountain in the UK, is the centerpiece of the Fort William area, and we heard story after story of the climbs, the annual Ben Nevis race up and back, and in the local cemetery, several stones gave testimony to the respect that one MUST give the mountain.
Anyway, thanks to all of you, and yes--we survived navigating around the UK on SO MANY buses, trains, the tube. After several days in, we felt like old pro's, and are proof that old dogs can learn new tricks. My husband and I both returned from our first trip (in our lives) to the UK with a tremendous sense of gratitude and pleasure in how warmly we were received.
Buen Camino!
Some time ago--well, August 18th!--I left the USA for the UK. In brief, I asked my husband to walk the Camino with me, but he admitted that he really wanted to visit Scotland and England. In particular, he wanted to go to Patrington, England to see the home of some ancestors. He also wanted to go to the Scottish Highlands, to see the home of his Scottish clans.
I began the research, and discovered two long-distance walks: first, The John Muir Trail, which is fairly new. When I discovered the West Highland Way--one of the oldest of the Scottish long-distance walks--I knew it would be the best one for us. First, it began just north of Glasgow, in a small town called Milngavie (pronounce Mullguy), and it ended in the Highlands, near the seat of the Cameron clan--some of my husband's ancestors.
I knew that walking 96 miles through Scotland could present challenges (midges--a tiny, annoying mosquito swarm that means business) but because Jay is exceptionally fit, I did not anticipate that he would struggle with walking. Neither--neither!--of us did!
I will say about the WHW:
1. In my opinion, it is a bit more challenging than Camino Frances, because of the humidity, rain and roughness of some of the terrain. The walking around Lake Lommond was strenuous--narrow path with lots of rocks (slippery) and a few boulders to squeeze through, not to mention tree roots that you can catch your foot on.
2. It is more expensive than CF in Spain, at least for me. The food was quite good, but I adore the food in Spain so darn much.
3. The people in Scotland are wonderfully helpful and curious, as are the people I found in Spain. I also found that people from all over the world are walking the WHW.
4. For me (and your mileage may vary), it was most helpful to get a bit of help from our Camino Forum before going about how to get around London and how to find accommodations on the WHW. I used MacAdventures, which I discovered after reading someone's post about them wayyyyyy back in March. On the WHW, a lot of European younger folk were using sleeping bags and tents, and there are places to camp along the way, but with all the rain and midges, I would not want to. B and B's then were the way to go. Not as inexpensive as albergues though!
The WHW becomes amazingly beautiful in the later stages, as one walks along large mountains and hills. The greenery and the hills and mountains, and particularly Ben Nevis, are amazing. Ben Nevis, the largest mountain in the UK, is the centerpiece of the Fort William area, and we heard story after story of the climbs, the annual Ben Nevis race up and back, and in the local cemetery, several stones gave testimony to the respect that one MUST give the mountain.
Anyway, thanks to all of you, and yes--we survived navigating around the UK on SO MANY buses, trains, the tube. After several days in, we felt like old pro's, and are proof that old dogs can learn new tricks. My husband and I both returned from our first trip (in our lives) to the UK with a tremendous sense of gratitude and pleasure in how warmly we were received.
Buen Camino!
Do you mean curious as in peculiar or as in enquiring? I suppose it depends on how much Johnniewalker we've had!
@Purple Backpack You can view high-detail Ordnance Survey maps for the whole of the UK - including the WHW - on the UK version of Bing Maps: maps.bing.co.uk
To view OS maps on a mobile phone I use an Android app called Outdoors GB. There are a number of payment options but a £5 annual charge gives online access to the full database.
PS: There is another and cheaper Android app called UK Atlas. One-off payment for unlimited online OS mapping. Can be slow and fussy about which phones it will run on. Worth testing the free version before buying. No offline map storage - I usually take screenshots of my planned route in case I am out of phone coverage.
It sounds like you had a great time! WHW is an excellent trail that really seems to be growing in popularity recently. A nice bonus is that it connects to some other good long-distance trails too: the Great Glen Way and the East Highland Way.
You are right that it is harder than the CF, but as far as 'wilderness' trails go it is about as easy as you can get.
Do you mean curious as in peculiar or as in enquiring? I suppose it depends on how much Johnniewalker we've had!
I meant 'curious' +Do you mean curious as in peculiar or as in enquiring? I suppose it depends on how much Johnnialker we've had!
"Curious" as in Curious about why one would come such a long way to do this walk (I come from Australia)...and also curious about ME as a person...etc.etc. ps...There Was NO Johnnie Walker involved at any time but, maybe a Glenfiddich or two.Do you mean curious as in peculiar or as in enquiring? I suppose it depends on how much Johnniewalker we've had!
After England I must say Montana seems even more remote
I am doing the WHW in may next year and just finished the South Downs Way which is nothing in comparison.
My next project after the Camino Primitivo will be climbing Snowdon and I can´t wait
Some time ago--well, August 18th!--I left the USA for the UK. In brief, I asked my husband to walk the Camino with me, but he admitted that he really wanted to visit Scotland and England. In particular, he wanted to go to Patrington, England to see the home of some ancestors. He also wanted to go to the Scottish Highlands, to see the home of his Scottish clans.
I began the research, and discovered two long-distance walks: first, The John Muir Trail, which is fairly new. When I discovered the West Highland Way--one of the oldest of the Scottish long-distance walks--I knew it would be the best one for us. First, it began just north of Glasgow, in a small town called Milngavie (pronounce Mullguy), and it ended in the Highlands, near the seat of the Cameron clan--some of my husband's ancestors.
I knew that walking 96 miles through Scotland could present challenges (midges--a tiny, annoying mosquito swarm that means business) but because Jay is exceptionally fit, I did not anticipate that he would struggle with walking. Neither--neither!--of us did!
I will say about the WHW:
1. In my opinion, it is a bit more challenging than Camino Frances, because of the humidity, rain and roughness of some of the terrain. The walking around Lake Lommond was strenuous--narrow path with lots of rocks (slippery) and a few boulders to squeeze through, not to mention tree roots that you can catch your foot on.
2. It is more expensive than CF in Spain, at least for me. The food was quite good, but I adore the food in Spain so darn much.
3. The people in Scotland are wonderfully helpful and curious, as are the people I found in Spain. I also found that people from all over the world are walking the WHW.
4. For me (and your mileage may vary), it was most helpful to get a bit of help from our Camino Forum before going about how to get around London and how to find accommodations on the WHW. I used MacAdventures, which I discovered after reading someone's post about them wayyyyyy back in March. On the WHW, a lot of European younger folk were using sleeping bags and tents, and there are places to camp along the way, but with all the rain and midges, I would not want to. B and B's then were the way to go. Not as inexpensive as albergues though!
The WHW becomes amazingly beautiful in the later stages, as one walks along large mountains and hills. The greenery and the hills and mountains, and particularly Ben Nevis, are amazing. Ben Nevis, the largest mountain in the UK, is the centerpiece of the Fort William area, and we heard story after story of the climbs, the annual Ben Nevis race up and back, and in the local cemetery, several stones gave testimony to the respect that one MUST give the mountain.
Anyway, thanks to all of you, and yes--we survived navigating around the UK on SO MANY buses, trains, the tube. After several days in, we felt like old pro's, and are proof that old dogs can learn new tricks. My husband and I both returned from our first trip (in our lives) to the UK with a tremendous sense of gratitude and pleasure in how warmly we were received.
Buen Camino!
Hi, Deb
I'm on my way - at Orly Airport putting in time until my flight to Pau and bus and train to Oloron Ste Marie and off on the camino in the morning. It sounds like you and your hubby had a great time on the West Highland Way - a great chance to share a long distance walk with him. Blessings,
Mary Louise
As a Scot whose only visit to the USA was a week in Montana in 1997 I would second that! Hired a car across the border in Medicine Hat and drove to Yellowstone and back. Memorable for so many things. Wide open roads with highway signs saying the speed limit was "reasonable and prudent". Waking in my tent in a forest at 2am somewhere SW of Stanford to hear a large animal (bear!!!???) pacing round the tent breathing heavily. And taking a wrong fork in the gravel forest road to end up in a dead-end clearing with a few cabins and an unfriendly "Keep Out" sign where four men walked out of the cabins as I approached, each picking up a rifle from a gun rack on the porch, and holding them across their chests very obviously while I turned around and left very quickly. A logging truck driver told me later that I'd stumbled into a survivalist militia / "Mountain Men" camp by mistake... Scotland is pretty tame in comparison
Next time you decide to get over here to the USA, come to Oregon and I'll run you to Mount Hood for a more suitable adventure!
I like going up Snowdon.... definitely quite challenging if you are going up the Watkins path.... quite a bit of scrambling! But the other paths are not as bad...
I wish that would never happen to anyone, but it has become an issue. We have become a state where firearms use to be kept for hunting, to one that many pack daily. Remote areas tend to draw personalities that are off. I hope you would agree that most folk you encountered were very nice.Thanks for the kind offer Deb! The local forest rangers had told me there were no grizzlies around and the black bears shouldn't be a problem. I was daft enough to believe them. Still here so they were probably right. I was far too scared to unzip the tent to identify the animal. Added a bit of spice to the trip thoughReally glad to leave the guys with guns behind though - that was not funny at all.
Thanks for the kind offer Deb! The local forest rangers had told me there were no grizzlies around and the black bears shouldn't be a problem. I was daft enough to believe them. Still here so they were probably right. I was far too scared to unzip the tent to identify the animal. Added a bit of spice to the trip thoughReally glad to leave the guys with guns behind though - that was not funny at all.
I wish that would never happen to anyone, but it has become an issue. We have become a state where firearms use to be kept for hunting, to one that many pack daily. Remote areas tend to draw personalities that are off. I hope you would agree that most folk you encountered were very nice.
Keith
They were great fun to run into, and we photographed our friend Margaret--75 years old and tiny--posing between them.
I loved The Devil's Staircase even though the wind was blowing Gale force and the rain was coming sideways...a hard but satisfying in many ways, climb and eventual descent...susanaweeWilderness....hmmm. I live in Oregon, where we have a lot of that stuff. In fact, I have hiked a lot of wilderness. What I will say about "as easy as you can get"--with the West Highland Way--is that Loch Lommond day II kicked my ****(((^^^% and I am a very proficient and fit hiker. I found a consensus throughout the several ensuing days, among other like-minded (and bodied) souls, that that portion was -- for a more than ten-mile day--way way, and WAY more difficult than any of us had anticipated.
I would rather do The Devil's Staircase TWICE than do the Loch Lommond section again, ha ha! The Devil's Staircase, along with Conic Hill, was strenuous and (for me) just great fun. I like a hard workout!
Some time ago--well, August 18th!--I left the USA for the UK. In brief, I asked my husband to walk the Camino with me, but he admitted that he really wanted to visit Scotland and England. In particular, he wanted to go to Patrington, England to see the home of some ancestors. He also wanted to go to the Scottish Highlands, to see the home of his Scottish clans.
I began the research, and discovered two long-distance walks: first, The John Muir Trail, which is fairly new. When I discovered the West Highland Way--one of the oldest of the Scottish long-distance walks--I knew it would be the best one for us. First, it began just north of Glasgow, in a small town called Milngavie (pronounce Mullguy), and it ended in the Highlands, near the seat of the Cameron clan--some of my husband's ancestors.
I knew that walking 96 miles through Scotland could present challenges (midges--a tiny, annoying mosquito swarm that means business) but because Jay is exceptionally fit, I did not anticipate that he would struggle with walking. Neither--neither!--of us did!
I will say about the WHW:
1. In my opinion, it is a bit more challenging than Camino Frances, because of the humidity, rain and roughness of some of the terrain. The walking around Lake Lommond was strenuous--narrow path with lots of rocks (slippery) and a few boulders to squeeze through, not to mention tree roots that you can catch your foot on.
2. It is more expensive than CF in Spain, at least for me. The food was quite good, but I adore the food in Spain so darn much.
3. The people in Scotland are wonderfully helpful and curious, as are the people I found in Spain. I also found that people from all over the world are walking the WHW.
4. For me (and your mileage may vary), it was most helpful to get a bit of help from our Camino Forum before going about how to get around London and how to find accommodations on the WHW. I used MacAdventures, which I discovered after reading someone's post about them wayyyyyy back in March. On the WHW, a lot of European younger folk were using sleeping bags and tents, and there are places to camp along the way, but with all the rain and midges, I would not want to. B and B's then were the way to go. Not as inexpensive as albergues though!
The WHW becomes amazingly beautiful in the later stages, as one walks along large mountains and hills. The greenery and the hills and mountains, and particularly Ben Nevis, are amazing. Ben Nevis, the largest mountain in the UK, is the centerpiece of the Fort William area, and we heard story after story of the climbs, the annual Ben Nevis race up and back, and in the local cemetery, several stones gave testimony to the respect that one MUST give the mountain.
Anyway, thanks to all of you, and yes--we survived navigating around the UK on SO MANY buses, trains, the tube. After several days in, we felt like old pro's, and are proof that old dogs can learn new tricks. My husband and I both returned from our first trip (in our lives) to the UK with a tremendous sense of gratitude and pleasure in how warmly we were received.
Buen Camino!
I am doing the WHW in may next year and just finished the South Downs Way which is nothing in comparison.
My next project after the Camino Primitivo will be climbing Snowdon and I can´t wait
I have walk a number of UK long walks , including the whw twice , may is the busiest month for walkers in Scotland and books up very early, be prepared for " full up " signs .Great to have you back Deb and many thanks for your help with info on the WHW before you left. I will be doing the Great Glen Way only in May/June. This is due to time and $ restraints. Meeting up with a life-long friend who lives in Edinburgh and we will then make some regional trips together. It is also my ancestral home. The family on both sides hail from Aberdeen, Dundee, Aberfeldy.
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