Many thanks for taking the time to document your west highland way adventure. Planning to do it myself next year sometime and will probably go down the "wild camping" road as you guys did. since i was about 17/18 I've always wanted to do "the way" but never got round to it(36 now!). Then i forgot all about it until a family camping holiday put the idea back in my head. Very useful info on the website and some great photo's! Any advice on the walk greatly appreciated via e-mail.

Hello Alan
I hope this year's going to be the time to turn your plans into reality! For us, the wild camping aspect is half of what it's all about - getting closer to nature, and losing ourselves in the outdoors, without all the various comforts and familiarities of home - sure those comforts are great, but it's very healthy to go without them every now and again.

Advice-wise (as ever!):

- Pack light as you possibly can. Be ruthless or you will inadvertently turn your trip into a painful man-hauling expedition. Look up ultra lightweight camping websites.
- Good boots or walking shoes with decent padding - there's lots of track walking and your feet will get sore.
- Choose a comfy pace - don't rush it
- Plan in advance where you're gonna camp
- Look out for ticks and don't lie in long grass
- Take a midge head net, not just midge repellent and make sure your tent is midge-proof.
- Take a good camera.
- Carry around 1-2 litres of water with you and chlorine water purification tablets, and make sure you've got water before you arrive at a wild campsite for the night
- Make your trip interesting or different in some way - go ice climbing on the indoor wall in Kinlochleven or climb a Munro on route - such as Beinn Doraine for example.

And much more besides but that's a good start...!

Good luck out there! Alan