Kanawha Trail Club

Gina-West Hyland Way 3

After Kings House the trail leads to Kinlochleven — perhaps the only drab village in Scotland. The town was built to accomodate the once booming lead and aluminum industry so, as in many WV towns, most of the houses are carbon copies of each other. Now that the 
mines are closed the town is turning to tourism.  
   From Kinlochleven the trail goes up the much ballyhooed ‘Devil’s Staircase.’ I 
was supposed to be impressed with the ascent but to the West Virginianans and 
Californians in our party it was merely a ’stiff climb.’ I am told it got it’s 
name from the British army types who had to drag cannon up this road.  It’s the only part of the Way that uses switchbacks for their ascent. 
   Past the ascent the Way leads you through the pass of Langrimor.  More heather and moor scenes. More sheep. A long day (at 14 miles) but also the last day and one is sorry to see it all end while also anxious to get to Fort William and indoors before the midging hour. 
   And we finally got rain! So yes, now I can say I’ve REALLY hiked in Scotland: 
it rained on this last day.  A pleasant trail surprise occured about 5 miles in when a couple of 
Danes who, as happens on long distance hikes, we had met before, asked us to 
join us around their campfire for a ’spot of tea’ with our lunch. (Their 
request was not totally altruisitc: they were out of water. So we supplied 
water, they supplied heat and tea.) 
   After Langrimor Pass the Way descends past waterfalls and finally onto the 
(admittedly) dreary end bit — a dirt road winding down to Fort William.  There is a Visitor’s Center near the end of the Way with water, bathrooms and 
brochures. Bathrooms are actually fairly easy to find. In 9 days of walking I 
only had to ‘find a tree’ 3 times.   
   We stayed at Guissachen House on the hill overlooking the city with beautiful 
gardens, comfortable rooms, and a full Scotttish Breakfast. To celebrate the 
end of our walk we took ourselves to a local seafood restaurant called 
‘Crannog’s.’ Excellent food! I just can’t understand where the myth that Scots 
food is bad came from! I only had 1 bad meal in Britain — and that was in 
Heathrow Airport.