Wisdom from the Way: Walking the West Highland Way

By Paula Worthington

 

Earlier this month, I enjoyed a summer holiday in the Scottish Highlands, where I embarked on a seven-day, 154km long distance hike, walking the entirety of the West Highland Way. 

The trail itself is varied and beautiful, crossing pastoral landscapes, loch shorelines, mountain passes and open moorlands. While steeped in history, the journey is all about being in the present moment, enjoying the scenery as it unfolds and reflecting on the wild landscapes you have the privilege of visiting. 

While I stepped away from my desk to immerse myself in the trail, I couldn’t help but recognize the parallels between a long-distance walk and life in business. 

Make sure you’re measuring the right thing

In preparation for the walk, my hiking mate and I reviewed the trail conditions, stage distances and elevation changes, to get an idea of what we would be in for. Heading into day three, which stretching alongside famous Loch Lomond, we anticipated a “flat” walk. We were wrong. While we didn’t have huge elevation climbs, the heavily treed and craggy lakeside made for slow going. Throughout the day, we were stepping cautiously down large rocky slopes, pressing through fields of overgrown bracken, over tree routes, and even up a ladder. Hands down, it was the toughest day. But a lakeside foot soak and a rewarding meal at the end of the day helped us quickly recover and get set to do it all again the next day. 

Tip from the trail: When you’re embarking on something new, make sure you’re measuring the right thing.

Keep scanning the environment

One of the challenges of any stunning walk is that the scenery makes you want to always be looking up and ahead, while the loose rocks and tree roots on the trail below your feet make you diligent about consistently looking down, just in front of you. Any skilled hiker knows how to do both: Enjoy the view while taking care not to twist an ankle. I’ll never forget two moments I experienced “looking up”: two incredible red stags standing silently just off the path, and a steep mountainside covered in blooming purple heather. 

Tip from the trail: Learn to shift seamlessly between the big picture and the details, and you’ll end up seeing more in the end. 

Take a break

Each day on the trail, we logged anywhere from 20 to 30 km of walking. It makes for a long day! Taking regular breaks and pacing yourself can help you reach your destination with some energy in the tank. We kept high-energy snacks and water bottles handy, chose picturesque spots to “take five” and re-energize, and enjoyed a longer break for lunch. We knew to add around 20% beyond our planned walking time for breaks, picture stops and simply taking in the vistas around us. 

Tip from the trail: Make a plan to get yourself to the finish line, but don’t forget to take some breaks to keep your energy strong from start to finish. 

Every thistle has its thorn

Weedy or wonderful? This prickly plant is in fact the national flower of Scotland, and the West Highland Way’s emblem is created in its honour. Each day on the trail had its share of thorns and blooms: The highs of finishing each stage of the trail with rich memories, the lows of dealing with occasional aches and strains that any long-distance walker inevitably encounter. The truth is, it’s all about how you look at it – will you let your day be a bloom, or a thorn? 

Tip from the trail: Focus on the ups and downs of any journey with an attitude of gratitude.  

Just keep going 

The yellow arrow has always been an important emblem in our agency, first sparked by a long distance walk I did in Spain 15 years ago. I was so pleased to see yellow arrows dotting this journey as well, giving me the confidence to know I was going the right direction.  

Tip from the trail: Look for wayfinders, especially when the path forward feels unclear.

The West Highland Way’s slogan is “Walk It Your Way” – which path will you take today?