West Highland tartan goes all the way

When crowds gather at the weekend in Fort William to celebrate the formal launch of the new end of the West Highland Way, they will also be treated to the unveiling of the first official tartan for the route.

The West Highland Way tartan has been devised by Scottish Tartan Authority, Loch Carron Weavers and the West Highland Way Management Group and has rarely been seen – until now.

West Highland Way Strategic Routes Adviser Gordon Forrester said: “The West Highland Way has become so iconic in its own right that it seemed the next logical step to have our own tartan.  A lot of people who walk the route are not Scottish but I’m sure they would love to have a clan tartan. This tartan could be a rallying banner for the world wide clan of WHW walkers.”

The new tartan will be unveiled by Scottish Enterprise Energy and Tourism Minister Jim Mather.

Also taking part in the event will be one of the oldest West Highland Way veterans, Willie Wilson, a very sprightly 90-year-old walker from Glasgow.

The parade will set off from the Ben Nevis Woollen Mill, Fort William,  at 1.30pm.  Those taking part should leave their cars in one of the town centre car parks as no parking for participants is available at the woollen mill, due to the very limited parking area.

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