History was made in Fort William on 11 September 2025 when Robert Marshall, from Gourock, became the first person to complete the full 96-mile West Highland Way 100 times. What began as a personal challenge more than three decades ago has evolved into a lifelong passion and a story that has captured the nation's imagination.

Robert first attempted the West Highland Way in 1993, setting off with too much gear and the wrong footwear. He gave up at Rowardennan on the very first day. Weeks later, he returned determined, finishing in just three days with only trainers and a lighter pack. From that moment, the trail became his “keep fit walk,” a path he has travelled in every season and every style, including wild camping, bivvying, and using baggage transfers. Even two heart operations in 2017 and 2023 could not keep him away for long.

Walking the Way has become a consistent part of Robert’s life. In recent years, he has walked the route almost monthly, pushing towards his goal of 100 completions before his 70th birthday. But this milestone was a little different. Joined by his six children – Kirsty, David, Jennifer, Yvonne, Ciaran, and Ross - Robert’s 100th journey became a family adventure. Together, they walked the six-day route from Milngavie to Fort William, cheered on by well-wishers along the way. The Munro Bagpiper piped them off at Milngavie and into Fort William.

This time, Robert also walked for a cause close to his heart: raising thousands of pounds for us, the newly formed West Highland Way Trust, a charity dedicated to caring for the much-loved trail. With more than 45,000 people completing the Way each year and many more enjoying shorter sections, the path contributes an estimated £20 million annually to Scotland’s rural economy. However, increasing visitor numbers and climate change necessitate constant maintenance. Robert’s walk highlighted that need, inspiring countless others to give back to a route that has given so much to Scotland and beyond.

The achievement also turned Robert into a media star. His story – of determination, recovery, family, and love for the outdoors – struck a chord far and wide. Interviews with newspapers, magazines and radio stations raised the profile, with many following his progress day by day. As he modestly noted, “No two walks are ever the same. But completing this one as a family tops them all.”

Robert has no plans to stop at 100. In fact, his 101st walk was already scheduled before the end of the month. For him, the West Highland Way is not just a trail – it’s a way of life, a path that has shaped his health, his family, and now the future of the route itself.

When not walking the West Highland Way, he is never far from the Great Trail, either through his Voluntary Ranger services for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, or through his stunning paintings of his many favourite places along the way. There are a few examples below; click the link to see the collection on his own website.