THE BEN NEVIS KILT WALK

Who's it for?

2 charities - 50% to the Tartan Army Children's Charity to raise funds for AIDS orphans in South Africa & various projects for disadvantaged kids in Scotland (check out http://www.tartanarmychildrenscharity.org.uk/cms/index.php) & 50% to Hopscotch (http://www.hopscotch-charity.org/) that funds short breaks in the Highlands for disadvantaged kids who wouldn’t normally get a holiday.

Where & when?

Total distance = 26.5 miles
Total ascent = 8200 feet (3800 on West Highland Way plus 4400 feet up Ben Nevis)
Total time - Should take between 12 & 16 hours, including summiting Ben Nevis, rest stops and accounting for weather & different fitness levels.

Start time = 2am (Yes 2 o'clock in the morning) to maximise daylight on the hill (sunset = between 5.30pm & 6pm)
Weather = Expect this to be very cold with probable strong winds & possible heavy rain, sleet, snow or hail.

As a good part of the walk will be during the night, there will be pre-arranged rest-stops, partly to make sure nobody is struggling & everyone is accounted for. The first stretch of the walk (between Altnafeadh (Glen Coe) & Kinlochleven is 6 miles long & should take no more than 3 hours, starting with a steep walk up The Devils Staircase to summit marked by a cairn (pile of stones) before descending down to Kinlochleven . Once past the shoulder of the hill, in daylight, there are good views of Blackwater Reservoir. Approaching Kinlochleven, the way follows the pipes towards the back of an old Alcan works, crosses them turns right up the road over the River Leven, turns left and follows the military road alongside a housing scheme. At the way turns left down a riverside path and soon meets the B863. There you turn right to continue along the way.

The next 13 miles starts with a steep zig-zag climb out of Kinlochleven. Then, after a hair pin bend, you emerge from the birchwood to a superb view of the framed by mountains to the south. The way goes through Lairigmor (the great pass) with large hills on both sides. This section of the walk boasts 11 Munros (Mountains over 3000feet) & we should get some great dawn views. The long descent down the hills then enters the . To keep to the way bear right through the woods then over a high stile and head toward Glen Nevis (2 miles along) until we see to the north. Just under tree miles futher on look to your right and you will see Dun Deardail which has an Iron Age Fort. Shortly after the fort, you now descend into Glen Nevis down to a broad bending forest road. The way continues northward on the forest road, after about 700 yards the way turns sharp right steeply downhill, then it forks left past a small cemetery. We'll then cross the bridge opposite the cemetery over the River Nevis to the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre.

After a good rest & hot food, we'll head up itself (just over 6 miles to summit & back).

The final mile into ends with a signpost marking the end of the at the .