Neil Lapping, CEO of Macs Adventure, joins Jeremy to discuss Scotland's West Highland Way trail. The podcast covers topics such as Scotland's historical figures, the transition to self-guided trips, hiking with amenities, the Highland Boundary Fault Line, challenges during the pandemic, tips for hiking the trail, lunch at a distillery, the classic Highland Moore landscape, and concluding the hike at Fort William.
The West Highland Way is a classic and popular trail in Scotland, offering a sense of camaraderie and showcasing a variety of spectacular scenery.
Max Adventure specializes in self-guided trips worldwide, providing a richer and more authentic experience for travelers.
Max Adventure has successfully expanded its self-guided trip offerings to North America, showcasing remarkable destinations like the California coast.
The West Highland Way offers diverse landscapes and experiences, from gentle rolling hills to challenging rocky sections and panoramic views of the Scottish Highlands.
Deep dives
The West Highland Way: A Classic and Popular Trail
The West Highland Way, the first trip offered by Max Adventure, is a classic and popular trail dating back to 2003. It has remained the company's busiest and most loved trip. The trail offers a sense of camaraderie as hikers start together and share the journey. Its appeal lies in the variety of spectacular scenery, from lowland farmland to the majestic Loch Lomond and the picturesque Scottish Highlands. Hikers can experience the rich history and culture of Scotland, from the Roman Empire's northern frontier to the stories of national heroes like Robert the Bruce, Mary Queen of Scots, and Bonnie Prince Charlie. The trail is well-equipped with waymarked paths, comfortable accommodations, and luggage transfers, allowing hikers to focus on enjoying the hike and the stunning landscapes.
The Benefits of Self-Guided Trips
Max Adventure specializes in self-guided trips, offering 550 comprehensive itineraries worldwide. Self-guided trips provide a richer, more authentic experience where travelers can explore at their own pace and engage with local culture. Max Adventure's dedicated team plans and designs each trip, ensuring high-quality accommodations, hassle-free logistics, and detailed trip documentation. Their app allows hikers to navigate with ease, offering offline maps, turn-by-turn instructions, and reliable support. The company's expertise extends beyond the UK and Europe, with established partnerships in international destinations like Nepal and Morocco. For travelers seeking the perfect balance of adventure, comfort, and exploration, Max Adventure's self-guided trips offer a convenient and memorable experience.
Expanding Horizons: Trips in North America
Max Adventure has been expanding its offerings beyond Europe by introducing self-guided trips in North America. While initially challenging due to variations in infrastructure, Max Adventure has worked diligently to showcase remarkable destinations, such as the California coast. By partnering with local experts and ensuring consistent quality and support, the company has successfully introduced trips like the Half Moon Bay to San Francisco walk, providing an opportunity for travelers to experience the natural beauty, local culture, and renowned culinary delights of these destinations. With positive feedback and growing interest, Max Adventure is excited to continue expanding its self-guided trips to offer exceptional experiences in diverse and scenic locations across North America.
The West Highland Way offers camaraderie, variety, and a sense of history
The West Highland Way is known for the sense of camaraderie it creates among hikers, as they meet fellow travelers and share their adventure. The trail offers a variety of landscapes, starting from the outskirts of Glasgow and progressing through rolling hills, steep-sided wooded glens, and expansive Scottish glens. The trail finishes on the West Coast under Ben Nevis, providing breathtaking views. Additionally, the West Highland Way takes hikers on a journey through history, with mentions of the drovers and military roads that have been used for centuries. Overall, the trail offers a multi-layered experience that combines scenery, culture, and history.
Weather and logistics for the West Highland Way
The West Highland Way is best hiking during the spring through fall seasons, with June and September being ideal for pleasant weather and fewer crowds. The trail can be completed by carrying a day pack, as luggage transfer services are available. The route is well-marked with brown posts sporting a yellow thistle symbol. Navigation can also be aided by mobile apps and guidebooks. Accommodations along the way range from hotels to private cottages, and hikers have the opportunity to explore nearby towns and attractions during rest days.
Highlights of specific days on the West Highland Way
On the West Highland Way, hikers will encounter diverse landscapes and experiences. The trail starts with gentle rolling hills, followed by stunning views along the shores of Loch Lomond. Day three takes hikers through steep and wooded areas, while day four presents challenging terrain with rocky sections and waterfalls. As the trail progresses, the landscape begins to resemble the classic Scottish Highlands, with open moors and panoramic views. The journey continues with moderate efforts through military roads and picturesque forests until reaching the final stretch under Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles. Each day provides a unique and rewarding experience for hikers to enjoy.
Day 1: Mill Guy to Dremen
On the first day, the hikers took a train from Glasgow to Mill Guy and began their 12-mile hike through lowland farmland. They also passed by Glen Goin distillery and experienced the concept of honesty boxes, where they bought snacks for lunch. They stayed at the Brayside B&B in Dremen and enjoyed their time exploring the town.
Day 2: Dremen to Balmaha
On the second day, they had a shorter hike of 7 miles from Dremen to Balmaha. They got their first glimpse of the highlands, climbed Conik Hill in the rain, and enjoyed the view over Loch Lomond. They stayed at the Oak Tree Inn in Balmaha, a resort-like area with a restaurant and shops.
Neil Lapping, founder and CEO of Macs Adventure, joins Jeremy to talk about the West Highland Way, Scotland's premier long distance trail. Before the interview, Jeremy recounts the stories of some of Scotland's most memorable historical figures. After the interview, Jeremy walks us through his hike this past summer on the West Highland Way with his wife Andee, and their friends, the Kinsels, including with some audio from the trip.