Rob Roy Way: Everything You Need to Know!

Rob Roy became Scotland's most famous outlaw through circumstance. Roy is an Anglicisation of the Gaelic 'ruadh', which means red: Red Rob. Rob is not be confused with Robin Hood. His territory was confiscated and his surname was banned for 40 years after his death. Some considered him a hero because of his generosity to the poor, others saw him as a villain because he stole livestock. Rob Roy is buried a short distance from the route. Now - three centuries later - a long-distance trail bears his name as a tribute.

The route passes through places where Rob Roy and his clan were active, particularly around Aberfoyle and Killin. It also follows many of the tracks and paths that would have been used by Rob Roy, and the walk gives a good idea of the place where he worked, fought, and lived. For history lovers, the route passes many historic sites, including Roman forts and viaducts, crannogs (houses built on lakes), and standing stones, forts, and stone circles left by prehistoric settlers. Along the path, you'll come across military roads and bridges built by English troops during the Jacobite Rebellion, while locations of clan feuds and stories of Rob Roy's adventures add to the charm of this scenic walk.

The Rob Roy Way starts in Drymen, where the West Highland Way also passes and ends in Pitlochry. The route is more south than the Great Glen Way, is 128 kilometers long, or 80 miles, and is divided into 7 stages. The route takes you through beautiful Highland scenery, through forests, along valleys and rivers. It also takes you past the places where Rob Roy worked, fought, and lived, and past Roman forts and stone circles.

When it comes to the best season to walk the Rob Roy Way, the weather is pretty much the same no matter when you go. You can see this as either an advantage or a disadvantage. In the Highlands, the weather is always bad. You can even experience all four seasons in one day... and it will certainly rain. That is the hard truth. Officially, the best time is in the summer months, July and August. During summer, the average temperature rises slightly and the days are longer. But during those two months, it is mosquito season and that can be quite annoying. A more suitable time is spring, i.e. May to June when temperatures are about the same as in summer, there is less rain and, most importantly, no mosquitoes.

On the Rob Roy Way, you can either spend the night in a cozy hotel in a small town or camp on one of the various campsites along the way. Wild camping along the Rob Roy Way is also an option. However, accommodation options can sometimes be limited. The problem with the Rob Roy Way is that the stages usually start and end in very small towns, where there are usually only 1, 2 or maybe 3 accommodation options. The Rob Roy Way is a popular trek in Scotland and welcomes thousands of trekkers every year. Organizing the stages and booking accommodation should not be taken lightly. Hotels can be fully booked months in advance.

The Rob Roy Way is a very popular trek that attracts thousands of tourists every year. Thanks to its popularity, there is always a possibility of transporting your luggage. Your suitcase will be collected from your hotel each morning and waiting for you at your next hotel at the end of the day. Pretty convenient, right?

The Rob Roy Way starts in Drymen and ends in Pitlochry. The path is traditionally walked from south to north, although it can also be done in the opposite direction. Both Drymen and Pitlochry are reachable by public transport.

Starting point

To get to Drymen, the easiest option is to take a plane, train, or bus to Glasgow. From there it takes about 2 hours by train and bus to get to Drymen. Drymen has a long history of tourism. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Drymen was a popular stopping place for Highland cattle drivers. Nowadays, this no longer happens, but Drymen is just as touristy as it was then! There are several restaurants, churches, and the ruins of Buchanan Castle.

Ending point

The Rob Roy Way ends in Pitlochry. From here, you can return to Glasgow by train and bus in about 3.5 hours.