The guide book had sat in a draw in my study for nearly 12 years, it was out of date and I was 12 years nearer to my grave. What had I been waiting for? I had better get a wriggle on and go and hike that darn West Highland Way before it was too late!

The West Highland Way is a linear long-distance route in Scotland. It is 96 miles or 154 km long, running from Milngavie north of Glasgow to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. My wife and I decided we were finally going to tackle it as a traditional through hike.

A through hike that is with the added luxury of staying in inns, pubs, lodges and hotels along the way and with your heavy luggage being transported onward for you each day to the next destination. Still it was a big undertaking which would span across 8 days incorporating an elevation gain/loss of 3,155 metres (10,351 ft) and included tackling the infamous Devil’s Staircase in Glencoe.