Journey’s end: the present terminus of the West Highland Way at the Nevis Bridge roundabout

Weary walkers will have to find a little extra to complete Scotland’s first long-distance trail as planners look set to add an extra mile to its length.

Almost two years after the idea was proposed, councillors in Fort William have agreed to extend the finishing point of the West Highland Way into the town. At present, the 153km (95-mile) route ends at a roundabout on the outskirts of the Lochaber town.

Authorities have, for many years, faced criticism over the fact that, after days enjoying such glories as Loch Lomond, Beinn Dorain, Buachaille Etive Mòr and Ben Nevis, the reward for footsore completers is an unprepossessing sign next to a main road junction at Nevis Bridge.

While one obvious place for the West Highland Way’s terminus would be the grassy square at The Parade, within sight of the railway station, Belford Hospital and the Nevisport cafe, local councillors and traders would prefer making walkers tramp along the High Street to finish at the town’s west end, in Gordon Square, so enabling shopkeepers to squeeze a little more cash out of hikers as they near the end of their journey.

This is despite most walkers polled two years ago would prefer The Parade as the fitting end to a top-class walk through some of Scotland’s grandest scenery.

Either way, Scottish Natural Heritage is being urged to accept the change and push the Scottish Government to rubber stamp the extension.

Whether any of the 50,000 walkers a year who use the West Highland Way will be tempted back to complete the ‘new’ route is a moot point.

See also

The West Highland Way: 95 miles of pain, pleasure, plasters and pasties