The Self-Guided Travel Podcast

Macs Adventure
  • 4.6 (11)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
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Discover self-guided travel on Scotland’s 96-mile hike, The West Highland Way with Arlette. Embrace the beauty of the majestic Highlands, encounter fascinating locals, delve into its rich history, and discover the ultimate freedom of exploring at your own pace. Book your next Self-Guided Travel adventure at macsadventure.com

  1. Hiking Scotland's West Highland Way: Self-Guided Travel with Macs Adventure

    EPISODE 1

    Hiking Scotland's West Highland Way: Self-Guided Travel with Macs Adventure

    Join us for a solo self-guided journey along Scotland’s iconic West Highland Way with host Arlette Godges in this episode of The Self-Guided Travel Podcast. Hiking solo and self-guided with Macs Adventure, Arlette takes on the 96-mile trail, starting in Milngavie and trekking through the rugged beauty of Scotland’s lochs, mountains, and moss-covered forests. Along the way, she stops at the renowned Glengoyne Scotch Whisky Distillery and learns about the trail’s highlights and challenges from Jane McGeary from the West Highland Way Association.  Distance hiked: 26.5 miles  Duration : 10:46 hr over two days Ascent / Descent : 711.4 m / 731.6 m Summary : A gentle walk through the Scottish countryside from Milngavie, on the outskirts of Glasgow, to reach the charming Stirlingshire village of Drymen. The next day, walk through pine forest, and enjoy the views from the summit of Conic Hill before following the West Highland Way along the shores of Loch Lomond to reach Rowardennan.  Highlights Include: 03’10 Whisky tasting and trail stories with Gordon Dallas, Whisky Experiential Ambassador at Glengoyne Distillery. 11’00 Expert advice on the West Highland Way from Jane McGeary. Insights into self-guided hiking tours and the joys of exploring Scotland’s dramatic landscapes at your own pace. Whether you're dreaming of hiking Scotland's West Highland Way, exploring Scotland walking tours, or planning your next self-guided hiking adventure, this episode has it all. Discover tips, local insights, and the magic of solo hiking through one of the world's most famous trails. Start planning your adventure today with Macs Adventure, the experts in self-guided travel. Discover the largest selection of hiking and biking routes in Scotland, Europe and beyond, all designed to help you explore spectacular destinations at your own pace. Book your next Self-Guided Travel adventure at macsadventure.com Produced by: The Big Light

    18 min
  2. Forest Bathing and Folk Heroes: Loch Lomond's Wonders

    EPISODE 2

    Forest Bathing and Folk Heroes: Loch Lomond's Wonders

    Join us for a solo self-guided journey along Scotland’s iconic West Highland Way with host Arlette Godges in this episode of The Self-Guided Travel Podcast. Arlette hikes further into the Scottish Highlands, along Loch Lomond, where she finds a spot to practice forest bathing. Take deep breaths and hear about how nature can aid relaxation, before joining Arlette on her solo quest to find the hideout cave of a historical folk hero. Passing stunning views, Arlette then takes on a challenging hike through the mud to visit one of Scotland’s most haunted Inns to cap off the second leg of her Macs Adventure. Distance : 14.5 miles Duration : 7:0 hr Ascent / Descent : 216 m / 229 m Summary : On this section of the West Highland Way, the path rises high above Loch Lomond giving excellent views of the Arrochar Alps.  Highlights Include: 03’35 Forest Bathing in Scotland’s enchanted oak forests. 05’15 Practising box breathing by the loch for your wellness. 10’00 Folk tales and spooky stories with Kerr (The Drover’s Inn). Insights into self-guided hiking tours and the joys of exploring Scotland’s dramatic landscapes at your own pace. Whether you're dreaming of hiking Scotland's West Highland Way, exploring Scotland walking tours, or planning your next self-guided hiking adventure, this episode has it all. Discover tips, local insights, and the magic of solo hiking through one of the world's most famous trails. Start planning your adventure today with Macs Adventure, the experts in self-guided travel. Discover the largest selection of hiking and biking routes in Scotland, Europe and beyond, all designed to help you explore spectacular destinations at your own pace. Book your next Self-Guided Travel adventure at macsadventure.com Produced by: The Big Light

    18 min
  3. Cold Water Therapy and Highland Wildlife: A Highland Escape

    EPISODE 3

    Cold Water Therapy and Highland Wildlife: A Highland Escape

    Join us for a solo self-guided journey along Scotland’s iconic West Highland Way with host Arlette Godges in this episode of The Self-Guided Travel Podcast. At the fast-flowing Falls of Falloch, Arlette hears about the benefits of cold water therapy with Claire Gray before the pair take an icy dip. Among the pine trees, Highland Cows and Red Squirrels explore the history and landscape of Scotland with Arlette at the halfway point of her self-guided Macs Adventure.  Distance : 12 miles Duration : 6:0 hr Ascent / Descent : 384 m / 178 m Summary : Enjoy spectacular views south over Loch Lomond, and north towards the mountains of the Highlands, as you make your way to Crianlarich. The West Highland Way then passes through forest, by the ruined priory of St Fillan, and across moorland to the busy little village of Tyndrum. Highlights Include: 04’00 Wildswimming with wellness enthusiast and wild swimmer, Claire Gray at the Falls of Falloch. 11’56 Arlette encounters her first Highland Coo and goes looking for Red Squirrels! 14’35 Souvenir hunting in Tyndrum at The Green Welly Stop. Insights into self-guided hiking tours and the joys of exploring Scotland’s dramatic landscapes at your own pace. Whether you're dreaming of hiking Scotland's West Highland Way, exploring Scotland walking tours, or planning your next self-guided hiking adventure, this episode has it all. Discover tips, local insights, and the magic of solo hiking through one of the world's most famous trails. Start planning your adventure today with Macs Adventure, the experts in self-guided travel. Discover the largest selection of hiking and biking routes in Scotland, Europe and beyond, all designed to help you explore spectacular destinations at your own pace. Book your next Self-Guided Travel adventure at macsadventure.com Produced by: The Big Light

    20 min
  4. History and Hauntings: Exploring Scotland's Historic Glencoe

    EPISODE 4

    History and Hauntings: Exploring Scotland's Historic Glencoe

    Join us for a solo self-guided journey along Scotland’s iconic West Highland Way with host Arlette Godges in this episode of The Self-Guided Travel Podcast. Arlette meets the famed Scottish midgie and talks to Dr. Chris Robinson about the clan history of the Scottish Highlands. Arlette closes this stage of her self-guided Macs Adventure with a dram of Scotch Whisky.  Distance : 12.1 miles Duration : 6:0 hr Ascent / Descent : 442 m / 372 m Summary : After passing the isolated Inveroran hotel, walk across the Rannoch Moor and look upon Scotland's most iconic mountain: Buachaille Etive Mor.   Highlights Include: 01’48 Alette encounters the infamous Scottish Midgie! 4’48 Arlette finds an honesty box and tastes Scotland’s most loved soda. 06’24 Talking history, clans, and local legends with Dr Chris Robinson from The West Highland Museum. Insights into self-guided hiking tours and the joys of exploring Scotland’s dramatic landscapes at your own pace. Whether you're dreaming of hiking Scotland's West Highland Way, exploring Scotland walking tours, or planning your next self-guided hiking adventure, this episode has it all. Discover tips, local insights, and the magic of solo hiking through one of the world's most famous trails. Start planning your adventure today with Macs Adventure, the experts in self-guided travel. Discover the largest selection of hiking and biking routes in Scotland, Europe and beyond, all designed to help you explore spectacular destinations at your own pace. Book your next Self-Guided Travel adventure at macsadventure.com Produced by: The Big Light

    15 min
  5. Conquering the Devil’s Staircase: Hiking Rugged Glen Coe

    EPISODE 5

    Conquering the Devil’s Staircase: Hiking Rugged Glen Coe

    Join us for a solo self-guided journey along Scotland’s iconic West Highland Way with host Arlette Godges in this episode of The Self-Guided Travel Podcast. After fueling up on a Scottish breakfast of haggis, tattie scones, and square sausage with Laura from The Kingshouse Hotel, Arlette hikes through the rugged Glen Coe scenery made famous by the James Bond movies. Layer up to brave the wind and the rain as Arlette takes on a steep solo ascent of the Devil’s Staircase in the penultimate leg of her self-guided Macs Adventure. Distance : 9 miles Duration : 5:0 hr Ascent / Descent : 339 m / 581 m Summary : Climb the Devil's Staircase and catch a glimpse of Ben Nevis (Scotland's highest mountain) on this section of the West Highland Way between Glencoe and Kinlochleven. Highlights Include: 01’40 Breakfast at The Kingshouse Hotel - including tasting haggis - and chatting to Laura who works at the hotel. 07’15 Tackling The Devil’s Staircase! Insights into self-guided hiking tours and the joys of exploring Scotland’s dramatic landscapes at your own pace. Whether you're dreaming of hiking Scotland's West Highland Way, exploring Scotland walking tours, or planning your next self-guided hiking adventure, this episode has it all. Discover tips, local insights, and the magic of solo hiking through one of the world's most famous trails. Start planning your adventure today with Macs Adventure, the experts in self-guided travel. Discover the largest selection of hiking and biking routes in Scotland, Europe and beyond, all designed to help you explore spectacular destinations at your own pace. Book your next Self-Guided Travel adventure at macsadventure.com Produced by: The Big Light

    17 min
  6. The West Highland Way Finish Line: Fort William and Scottish Farewells

    EPISODE 6

    The West Highland Way Finish Line: Fort William and Scottish Farewells

    Join us for a solo self-guided journey along Scotland’s iconic West Highland Way with host Arlette Godges in this episode of The Self-Guided Travel Podcast. Arlette reflects on her journey and the faces - young and old - she met along the way as she hikes towards the finish line at Fort William, passing the famous Braveheart village at Glen Nevis. The Hebridean Baker, Coinneach MacLeod, tells Arlette that although she is saying goodbye to Scotland, she is always welcome back!  Distance : 15 miles Duration : 7:0 hr Ascent / Descent : 504 m / 509 m Summary : The final section on the West Highland Way: follow a track through the beautiful forests of Glen Nevis to gain excellent views of Ben Nevis before entering Fort William.  Highlights Include: 05’00 Guest appearance from The Hebridean Baker, Coinneach MacLeod. 06’29 Visit to The West Highland Museum to see the famous portrait of Bonnie Prince Charlie!  08’41 Picking up a certificate from The Granite House with Catherine. 11’38 Chatting to Nash from Macs Adventure. Insights into self-guided hiking tours and the joys of exploring Scotland’s dramatic landscapes at your own pace. Whether you're dreaming of hiking Scotland's West Highland Way, exploring Scotland walking tours, or planning your next self-guided hiking adventure, this episode has it all. Discover tips, local insights, and the magic of solo hiking through one of the world's most famous trails. Start planning your adventure today with Macs Adventure, the experts in self-guided travel. Discover the largest selection of hiking and biking routes in Scotland, Europe and beyond, all designed to help you explore spectacular destinations at your own pace. Book your next Self-Guided Travel adventure at macsadventure.com Produced by: The Big Light

    21 min
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About

Discover self-guided travel on Scotland’s 96-mile hike, The West Highland Way with Arlette. Embrace the beauty of the majestic Highlands, encounter fascinating locals, delve into its rich history, and discover the ultimate freedom of exploring at your own pace. Book your next Self-Guided Travel adventure at macsadventure.com

Information

  • Creator
    Macs Adventure
  • Episodes
    7
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ©️ 2025 The Big Light