From Highland paths to cowboy trails
Scotland’s drovers walked the West Highland Way long before hikers arrived. Discover how these legendary livestock herders influenced Rob Roy, American cowboys, and the ancient paths you’ll follow.
As you hike along Scotland’s West Highland Way, your footsteps follow ancient paths with a remarkable secret. These trails weren’t carved by tourism boards—they were etched into the ground by drovers, legendary livestock herders who walked these paths from the early 1600s until the late 1800s.
While today’s hikers travel these paths with fancy waterproof jackets and sturdy boots, drovers navigated the same wild landscapes in all weather, responsible for hundreds of animals and their livelihoods. Their presence is immortalized throughout the region—from the notorious Drovers Inn (one of Scotland’s oldest and most haunted pubs) to the countless "Drovers Roads" that you’ll encounter in the area.
The profession attracted some of Scotland’s most colorful characters, including Rob Roy MacGregor—the Highland folk hero who started as a cattle drover before his legendary exploits made him Scotland’s answer to Robin Hood.
Perhaps most fascinating is how these Highland pathfinders shaped history far beyond their homeland. When Scottish emigrants traveled to North America, they brought their droving knowledge with them—skills that would fundamentally shape the developing American West. That iconic image of the American cowboy? Look closely and you’ll find the shadow of a Scottish Highlander. Those timeless cowboy ballads sung around campfires? Many trace their melodies back to Scottish folk songs.
So, when you pause to catch your breath on the Devil’s Staircase or marvel at the views across Rannoch Moor, remember you’re essentially walking a living museum—paths where commerce, culture, and adventure have intertwined for centuries. The Scottish Highland drovers may have disappeared with the arrival of railways, but their legacy continues with every footstep.
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