"Lavishly illustrated guidebook with route map plus practical information" - Scots Magazine

The Loch Lomond & Cowal Way is one of Scotland's Great Trails. It runs for 57 miles (91 km) across the Cowal peninsula, which lies west of Glasgow and is easily reached by public transport, road and ferry. The route starts at Portavadie on Loch Fyne and ends at Inveruglas on Loch Lomond.

The trail is waymarked and undulating, with rugged terrain and glorious views over the Isle of Bute and the Firth of Clyde. The area is rich in history and heritage, with wildlife sightings including red squirrel, red deer and golden eagle.

Cowal has ferries to Bute, to Kintyre and (in season) across Loch Lomond to join the West Highland Way. It’s the missing link that enables Scotland’s ultimate long-distance walk, from Kintyre all the way to Inverness.

In 2018 the route’s name was extended to Loch Lomond & Cowal Way to reflect the fact that over 50% of it runs within the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park. This new edition updates the guidebook of that name and contains many new photographs.

A lavishly illustrated guidebook which includes a route map plus practical information for the walker.

The guide is well researched and clearly written, with lots of information presented concisely … as well as clear, bullet-pointed directions for each day’s stage of the journey. The maps are eminently useful too: large scale and inserted at the relevant stages of the trip.

Well illustrated throughout, with photos that are a good mix of informative and inspirational.

A 25-year military career gave James the opportunity to specialise in personal development and leadership. This led him to discover and enjoy the outdoors in locations such as Africa, the Gulf, the Far East, the Falklands and the United States. On leaving the Army he returned to Scotland to establish an outdoor training centre on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll.

As Chairman of the Colintraive and Glendaruel Community Council, James devised the Cowal Way route, seeking to encourage others to visit and enjoy this little-known part of Scotland. After several successful funding applications, the Way continues to be upgraded and is now managed by the Community Development Trust of which James is Vice-chair.