For a long time I’ve wanted to go hiking in the Highlands.  I bought Walking in Britain and found an article describing a two day ‘best of the West Highland Way’ article which seemed to be a good introduction.  In Seattle winter I checked websites and booked hotels at the beginning, middle and end.  So after the festivities in Edinburgh, Amy and I took a train to Glasgow, checked our suitcase in a hotel, then took a bus to Glencoe via Loch Lomond and checked into the King’s House Hotel in Glencoe, a beautiful glacial valley full of scenery, flowers and history.  The inn was basic but in a striking setting, with a climber’s pub and restaurant.  We went straight to the pub on arrival to sample warm ale overlooking the scenery, then took a walk south on the West Highland Way to see a little of the portion we wouldn’t cover.  My 57th birthday dinner was in the restaurant with Scottish fare (right), then we retired to our room with a spectacular view of the valley.  The next morning we started the walk/hike up the Devil’s Staircase and a descent into Kinlochleven at the end of a fjord.  It was moderate hiking but the scenery and ambiance were superb.  The next day we followed an old military road and historic paths to a small settlement in Glen Nevis, at the base of Ben Nevis, the highest point in Britain.  Of course the B&B was wonderful and the climber’s restaurant was loaded with shots of the climb in all weather.  For Northwesterners, this would be comparable to a climb of Mount Si, only farther north.  After the second night we hiked to Fort William, took a train ride for a day then returned to Glasgow.  The little we saw of the Highlands supported its reputation.