Ben More & Stob Binnein, Tyndrum,
Stirling District, Scotland

Ben More & Stob Binnein, Tyndrum, Stirling District, Scotland

Council boundaries are fickle things and nowhere is this made more plain than the course of the West Highland Way. Just beyond Loch Lomond it briefly passes into the council area of Argyll and Bute before returning to the Stirling council one again. It is for that reason that you see addresses flitting over and back. The addition of the Helensburgh ward to Argyll and Bute is behind this changeover. Thus, Crianlarich and Tyndrum are in the Stirling area along with Strath Fillan (which was part of the old county of Perthshire, apparently) while going further north returns you to Argyll and Bute.

The portion of the West Highland between Inverarnan and Bridge of Orchy is troubled with traffic noise from the ever busy A82 and the occasional train passing the way, but there are times when it can be escaped too. However, there are compensations too and the view east along Strath Fillan is certainly one of these. The glen is named after an Irish hermit monk from the eighth century who was later canonised Saint Fillan and the main feature of its eastern end must have seemed as lofty and impressive as it does to this very day: the Crianlarich hills that count Ben More and Stob Binnein among their number. At this point in the WHW, it's best not to concentrate too much on what is ahead of you, or you will lose the wonderful views gained by stopping and gazing a while. As it happened, I headed south along this section and so didn't miss out.

See more photos from this album (West Highland Way)