The Wrong Way: How Not to Walk the West Highland Way

by Bart Stevens

No walking experience, no navigation skills, and no particular desire to leave his city centre apartment for anywhere remotely outside or green, Stevens isn’t your obvious choice of walking partner to tackle the 95-mile West Highland Way. But when one night over a beer his friend suggests they do just that, he surprisingly agrees. It may have been slightly more than just one beer. Too misguided to be a guide, Stevens instead recalls their adventure in his own hapless style; six days of getting lost, scared, wet, tired and more than occasionally drunk.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

92 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 27, 2014

Reviews

[SadieReadsAgain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up as I'm toying with the idea of walking the West Highland Way myself this year, but I don't have any real idea of what to expect. In this book, Bart takes us through his experience of walking the 95 mile route over a week with his friend. He is honest about his lack of training beforehand (which I really appreciated, though I will try to be better prepared myself!) and his lackadaisical approach to taking on the challenge. This, along with the title, made me expect a total disaster as the walk got underway. I don't think it's a spoiler to say that I didn't exactly get that from his experience. Don't get me wrong, there are some moments (both hilarious and painful) where it looks as if things are going to fall apart, but the way both Bart and his companion overcome them and cope with them is impressive. I really felt I got an honest account of the both the good and bad in tackling this challenge.

I assumed this was self published, but there is a publisher listed, which makes the spelling mistakes and faults all the more jarring. But on the whole, this was a lot better written than I'd expected. Bart has a voice full of personality (although unfortunately his personality has a tendency toward fat-shaming) and humour, and this was an enjoyable journey to go on with him. This was a fun and interesting read, and super short - I think I read it in one sitting. Well worth it for those into walking or specifically the WHW.

[Melissa Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read whether you plan on doing the west highland way or not.

I laughed out loud more then a few times. I learned things I hadn't discovered in other guidebooks and I highly recommend

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fab holiday read, finished it in a couple of hours. Some real laugh out loud moments. Enough to inspire a walk through Scotland maybe

[john foster, mrs Debra Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smashing adventure

Great read, if rather short, easily read in one sitting. Full of good natured humour, and some good characters along the way. Highly recommend.

[Valerie Sutherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, I had some laugh out loud moments ,I enjoyed reading discriptions about the scenery , it sounds very picturesque.

[Nicole Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining

Loved this book. It was funny at times. Especially relevant if you’ve done the walk, are planning to or researching

[James Sinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keep on plodding

Cracking tale that anyone who has ever walked the Westtie would relate to
Most of us who have completed the Westtie can picture our own adventure when you read this

[Martyn Dawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, entertaining and funny

It kept my attention until the end, which is saying something these days! I must do The Way myself one day

[Seelenstaub · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very enjoyable and funny, but the numerous spelling errors and the atrocious punctuation annoyed me at times.

[Rosemary Meechan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing and encouraging account of walk the West Highland Way

Although the editing of this book is rather slipshod, it is still amusing and instructive to read if you are thinking of walking the way yourself. I would echo the writer's thoughts on the advisability of getting yourself kitted out properly -he didn't- and the value of choosing the best accommodation you can afford, particularly if you are over forty.

[sharon rourke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comical read

I am walking the West way in 6 months, so thought I would read up on other experiences. This was a great choice...reading someone else's experience made me want to cancel, put the fear of hiking into me...but most of all it made me laugh. I am sure I will come across many things on the way , that will bring back memories of this read....I really enjoyed it!!!

[Iain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good fun.

[Suzy Topping · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having walked the West Highland Way over 20 years ago, I thought I would read this. It was funny his description of the Guesthouse keepers. His reaction to things that happened on the way. As I was reading it, I knew exactly where they where. The Devils Staircase, I cannot remember how many times we had to stop for a breather, met friends and stopped for a bite to eat with them.

If you are thinking about doing the WHW, have a read of this, it will prepare you for what is to come. Also make you realise not to take it too seriously. You will meet interesting people from around the world.

[MR STEPHEN NORMANTON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good entertaining read

Good relaxing read that's helped convincing me to take up walking. Hopefully I Will enjoy it as much as reading the tales of others