Kim Kjaerside Video Diaries — West Highland Way

40th Birthday Walk

Travel blogger Kim Kjaerside got in touch ahead of the West Way’s 40th Anniversary to tell us that he was born in October 1980 so would also be celebrating his 40th birthday.

Kim agreed to record video diaries along his walk, you can see them below and also read about his adventures.

Kim’s story

I am originally from Denmark, but have lived in Scotland for over 15 years with my wife and two kids, 4 year old daughter and 20 months old son. After walking a small section of the West Highland Way just over 10 years ago, I have ever since dreamed of walking this the most spectacular walk in Scotland.

When the opportunity arose for me to complete it, there was an exciting moment of realisation that I may actually be able to walk it within a few months.

Like most I chose to walk it from Milngavie, just outside Glasgow and finish in Fort William in the Scottish Highlands.

I planned on walking the route in five days, with a mixture of wild camping and using campsites. On the second day however I realised that an additional day was needed to complete the walk and also to make the most of this iconic route. I was rewarded with the most spectacular weather, mostly clear blue skies.

I could not put my finger on one specific favourite moment, but it was filled with many including meeting the many other walkers and exchanging experiences and messages of support. The walk across the Rannoch Moor towards Glen Coe was incredible and then finding a small wild camping spot just before the Kings House Hotel made this one of my favourite. In the morning I was then welcomed by a small herd of deer, which was pretty surreal and made the experience go beyond what I could ever have imagined.

With 2020 being both my and the West Highland Way's 40th birthday, and we share the same birthday month, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to celebrate such a milestone for us both. To anyone else considering embarking on this journey, I'd say go for it, but make sure you plan ahead and remember there is various luggage transfer services if carrying all your gear and camping is not an option, but most of all, Enjoy!