In December 2022, I was on a train to Brussels and I had picked up Sam Heughan’s latest book “Waypoints” to keep me busy for my 3-hour ride. If you don’t know who that is, Sam is the handsome Scotsman who plays Jamie Fraser in the series Outlander. As a big fan of the series, I was excited to start this book and learn more about its lead actor.
In the book, Sam not only writes about his life and career but also writes about his recent journey on the West Highland Way, Scotland’s first long-distance trail which starts north of Glasgow, the city where he lives. The book alternates between stories of his life and his experience while hiking the trail which I thought was quite an interesting way to write a biography.
I had never heard of this trail before. But as he was describing his adventure in the depth of the Highlands, I thought to myself what a cool and amazing thing to do! I had never thought of myself as someone who would do long-distance hikes. I was a creature of comfort whose orientation skills were almost non-existent. Not really the type to go hiking for days on end. But the more I kept reading, the more I wished I was that type of person. I was quite sure I could not walk a 154 km (96 miles) trail all by myself but I also couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Scotland has a very special place in my heart and the idea of exploring its wilderness up close felt very exciting.
After weeks of thinking about the WHW, I told a friend about it and how much I wished I was the kind of person who did that. And he simply replied: Why can’t you be? I didn't have any valid reason to share and that really got me thinking.
I called my mum to tell her about my plans and she thought I was pranking her. Apparently I was not alone in thinking that I was not the hiking type.
But I told myself there was a reason I couldn't stop thinking about this hike and that I maybe I should push beyond the fear and just do it. I started entertaining the idea of going on this long distance hike by myself and what it would take for me prepare for it, quieting down the voice in my head that kept telling me I was out of me depth.
I bought hiking shoes and went walking by the lake in Geneva every single weekend, bought the official guide of the WHW, made checklists of what could possibly go wrong and what I needed to take with me. I also watched every single TikTok of people on the WHW and their tips (to the man who recommended getting a mosquito net hat as a protection from the midges - THANK YOU).
It took me another extra month before booking my flights and accommodations. I think that in a way a part of me still thought I would back out but once this was booked and paid for there was no turning back.
I also worked with my coach on my fears and how I could best mentally prepare for this adventure. For example, I realised I had a strong fear of being a woman alone in the middle of nowhere and what could potentially happen. I ended up walking the whole trail with a tiny hair spray bottle in my jacket just in case (which was completely unnecessary since Scotland is a very safe country but it made me feel better). Working on my fears helped me feel more in control and prepared.
End of May 2023, I flew to Edinburgh with my huge backpack (It so happened to also be the day of Beyonce’s Edinburgh concert so picture me in my leggings and hiking boots surrounded by a sea of glitter outfits on the tram- quite a sight). From there I got a train to Milngavie, the little town where the West Highland Way starts north of Glasgow.
On the platform, I started chatting with an old man while waiting for my train. I told him about my upcoming adventure to which he replied “That’s great! My daughter attempted to walk the West Highland Way years ago but it was too hard and she had to quit”. First Blow. “And she was about your age!!”. Second Blow. It really felt like the universe was testing my motivation one last time with this encounter. I politely smiled and boarded my train.
In my room that night, I suddenly felt so anxious and nervous but there was no going back now. I told myself I had done everything I could to prepare for this hike and that I would do the best I could.
For seven days, I walked across the Scottish Highlands, taking in the incredible landscapes, doing my best not to get lost and trying to stay clear of the mountain goats.
Every night, I stretched, used cooling cream for my muscles and pampered my feet as a precaution. I had heard of some hikers who had had to quit the hike because of a strained muscle, too many blisters or lack of preparation. I was determined not to be one of them. I still ended up with seven blisters though, so I don't even want to imagine what it would have been like if I hadn't been careful in the first place.
After I finished the hike, a lot of people asked me if I had done it the real way aka camping in the wild and that was really confusing to me. As if somehow I'd get additional points for doing it the hard way. As I said earlier, I am a creature of comfort and it was very clear to me that I needed a warm shower and a comfortable bed at night if I was even going to enjoy this experience.
By the way, there’s nothing wrong about making things a little easier for yourself. For me, this experience was about spending time alone in nature and sleeping in a tent every night was not going to make me prouder of myself. I created an experience that was the right one for me regardless of people's opinions.
When I finally arrived in Fort William on Day 7 I was both happy and sad. Happy I did not have to walk the next day because my feet were killing me and sad because it meant I had to go back to being a functioning member of society. Sometimes my mind is still on the shores of Loch Lomond.
Walking the West Highland Way has shown me there’s nothing I can’t do. Now I feel like I could go on long-distance hikes every year when just a year ago the idea of it felt terrifying.
This adventure was a reminder that there's nothing we can't achieve if we set your mind to it and that we are always free to change the perception we have of ourselves.
I hope you enjoyed this story.
Love,
