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From breakfast rolls in Milngavie to celebratory dinners in Fort William and everything from haunted pubs to historic distilleries in between, here’s our food and drink guide to the trail.
READ MORE: Avoiding the ‘desperation tax’ and other top tips for new West Highland Way workers
Alba Cafe
High Street, Milngavie
What better way to prepare yourself for a test of physical endurance than a full Scottish breakfast with bacon, lorne sausage, tattie scones and a strong mug of tea to boot?
Café Alba is located in Milngavie at the start of the West Highland Way and offers plenty of opportunity to fuel up for the road ahead.
Ask for a scone to go later if you have the room in your rucksack.
Glengoyne Distillery
Dumgoyne
A tourist attraction sure to appeal to anyone in your group who enjoys whiskey tasting more than walking boots.
A short detour on your way to Drymen will take you to Glengoyne Distillery where you can book a tour to learn all about “the slowest stills in Scotland” and a hidden waterfall once used to make illicit spirit.
Don’t get too distracted… there’s a long way to go.
The Derwen Pub
Balmaha, Loch Lomond
At this family pub on the eastern shores of Loch Lomond a warm welcome is always guaranteed as well as a menu approved by none other than Sir Billy Connoly.
Follow in the footsteps of the Great Yin and order a plate of mincemeat and tatties by the roaring open fire.
There’s also regular live music to take your mind off any pesky blisters that may have started to form by now.
The Porthmyn Inn
Inveranan, Arrochar
Not for the faint of heart, this pub is claimed to be the “most haunted in Scotland” with many strange tales of ghostly happenings being told by its guests.
Anyone brave enough to book an overnight stay (or even just a restorative meal) will be rewarded with pub classics such as steak and Guinness pie, homemade lasagne or scampi bread and chips.
Maybe leave a night light on, just in case.
Invernon Hotel
Ochry Bridge, Argyll
The team behind this charming restaurant and hotel in Bridge of Ochry believe that a visit should be a special experience for all guests, “whether you’re walking the West Highland Way or looking for a comfortable break in stunning seclusion”.
Their website is a treasure trove of all sorts of tips and advice for walking the famous route while an on-site shop open early every morning is a handy way to stock up on treats and treats for the day ahead.
The Real Food Cafe
Tyndrum, Crianlarich
“Iconic roadside eatery”, the Real Food Café, is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The derelict former Cogydd Bach site was transformed by owner Sarah Heward in 2005 and is now known throughout the country for its award-winning fish and chips from spicy haddock nuggets to a nostalgic favorite of fish finger sandwiches.
Any gluten-free adventurers will be happy to note their attempts to accommodate dietary requirements with an alternative menu of chip shop classics too.
Kingshouse Hotel
Glencoe
You’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere in Scotland that rivals Glencoe’s stunning natural beauty.
Take it all in from the comfort of the Kingshouse Hotel which prides itself on offering “an essential stop on the West Highland Way” and dinner dishes of local goodness such as Loch Etive Seatrout or treacle-cured estate venison with lovable potatoes and wilted cabbage .
By this point in your journey, you will definitely have earned a quick dram at the Climbers Bar before bed too.
READ MORE: ‘We owe a lot to Tom Hunter’: More tourists than ever following famous route
Tailrace Pub
Kinlochleven
The Tailrace Inn is a cozy spot nestled on top of Loch Leven that promises a Highland approach to hospitality that means “no one is ever turned away hungry”.
Take the pressure off your feet in the lounge bar and savor the steak burger with cheese and haggis after a long day’s walking.
Grog & Gruel
High Street, Fort William
For an impressive 30 years, this traditional pub and restaurant has created a welcoming space where “travellers recount their days out exploring the magnificent West Highlands”.
A must visit for beer enthusiasts, with a bar full of local and regionally brewed craft beers and lagers.
Or there’s a selection of almost 100 whiskeys to choose from if that’s your drink of choice.
The silly goose at the lime tree
Achintore Road, Fort William
Celebrate your incredible achievement after reaching the finish line of the West Highland Way with dinner reservations at The Silly Goose.
There you’ll find a superb Highland dining experience fueled by seasonal Scottish produce, “unwavering enthusiasm, and boundless creativity” as well as an outdoor garden ideal for toasting summer evenings .
