Hi fellow hiker,

In this email, we answer some of the most frequent questions we receive regarding food, water, and accommodation in the Scottish Highlands. We know that no FAQ is exhaustive, so if you have any other questions just respond to this email.

Best regards,

Pygmy Elephant

WHAT ARE MEALS LIKE?

Dinner is on your own, but every location either has a restaurant in walking distance or in your accommodation. Dinner normally costs between £15 and £25 per person, but can be more expensive if you order starters and alcohol. Speaking of which, there is a good selection of beers, wine and, of course, Scotch whisky, as well. For lunch, there are a few places that you can stop in the middle of the hike, but most of the time, you will want to buy something from a grocery store or request a packed lunch from your accommodation.

Important: If you have dietary restrictions or food allergies, you should check in with the front desk at your hotel or mountain hut to make sure that they can meet your dietary needs. We include any dietary restrictions when we make your initial booking, but it is always best to double check directly with your accommodation.

Vegan-friendly restaurants on the West Highland Way and Great Glen Way

Country Mumkins in Tyndrum is located a few minutes off the trail in an old church and is a great stop for coffee and cake, or a fresh lunch. Also in Tyndrum, you could stop at the Real Food Café, an award-winning fish and chip shop with a separate vegan menu. They are known for their vegan burger. The Wildcat in Fort William is an excellent choice for lunch and some selected grocery options. Finally, the Abriachan Café between Drumnadrochit and Inverness is a little gem in the middle of the forest where you can pick up some vegetable soup and delicious lemon cake.

Lunch along the West Highland Way

Almost all accommodation provides a packed lunch option. It is best to request the packed lunch when you arrive in the afternoon. Normally they cost between £5 and £10 per person. If you require anything special for your diet, we recommend that you stock up before beginning your trek.  

CAN I FIND WATER EN ROUTE?

Water is available from towns and accommodation along the trek. Most of the time, you will be about 3 to 5 hours between potable water sources. Most people choose to fill up before they start the day's hike with 2 or 3 liters of water. For those that would like to have a bit more water security, there are many streams along the way, so you can bring purification tablets or a water filter, as well. 

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM ACCOMMODATION?

The range of accommodation types on the West Highland Way and Great Glen Way is extensive, from hotels and inns to B&Bs and hostels.

Hotels like Kingshouse and Bridge of Orchy are very comfortable and provide breakfast and a restaurant on site. The same goes for inns, but these normally have a bar or pub attached that the locals visit, too; for example, the Drovers Inn and Clachan Inn. B&Bs, like Ashburn House, are normally in people's homes and serve only breakfast. The atmosphere in most of these locations is homey and the hospitality welcoming.

If you are booked in any dormitory locations, bring along a sleeping bag liner and towel. Otherwise, you need not worry about bringing these items along. 

Note for 2023: Most accommodation no longer accept American Express credit cards. If you use American Express, make sure you have alternative forms of payment handy.

For inquiries regarding your specific itinerary, please contact your group leader or key travel builder. If you have any questions about the content of this email, feel free to reply here.