Filming 'The North' in the Highlands

How do you capture the essence of walking through the Highlands in a film? The experience is different for everyone. Yet, the moment you talk to a fellow hiker about the West Highland Way, the Cape Wrath Trail, or the Scottish Highlands, something special happens. A twinkle in their eyes. A smile that holds all the ups and downs of an adventure. When you talk about the Highlands with another hiker, a connection is instantly formed. No words are needed—we both just know.

In April 2024, I walked 600 kilometers through the Highlands—from Milngavie to Fort William, and from there, almost to Cape Wrath. An injury cut my journey short. But that was okay, because I knew I’d be back in just a few months to create a film about two friends hiking this path. A fictional story, but the hiking? That was real.

The Highlands have always captured my imagination, but nothing could prepare me for actually being there. The land feels ancient. I remember sitting outside my tent, next to a stream, surrounded by mountains (and yes, for a Dutch guy, the Highlands are definitely mountains!). I felt both the awe of the landscape and a deep, unshakable calm.

April was cold and wet. On my second day on the West Highland Way, I woke up to snow. I was prepared for the cold, but not this. What I’ve learned about the Highlands is: expect everything. The mountains were a deep brown, their tops dusted in snow. Grey clouds hung dramatically above them. I’d pitch my tent facing the wind—only for it to change direction in the night and nearly flatten everything. Still, even a rough day in nature is better than a good day in the office. And often, despite the challenges, everything would go quiet, and I could feel the Highlands all around me.

July and August were completely different. I wasn’t alone anymore. We were a crew of six: two cameramen, a sound engineer, myself, and two actors. We were supported by two others in vans, helping with food, batteries, and everything else we needed. The landscape had transformed—bright green, full of life. Birds, bees, mosquitoes… and billions of midges. When they’re around, they’re the worst. But a bit of wind sends them packing, and they’re absolutely not reason to not come to Scotland in summer.

You can’t explain what it feels like to hike through nature for such a long time. You have to experience it. That’s why we filmed while hiking. Everyone carried a tent, food, hiking clothes—and on top of that, the film equipment: two cameras, batteries, a tripod, sound gear. Our backpacks weighed anywhere between 22 and 32 kilos. We slept in our tents at night. To create a film about hiking in the Highlands, we had to walk through them. We had to feel it.

Making a film is a creative but also mentally demanding process. You’re constantly thinking about a thousand things. What better way to do that than while hiking? Walking clears your mind. It reconnects you with your surroundings. The first days, leaving Milngavie, didn’t quite feel like the Highlands yet. You can still feel society clinging to you. But when you reach Conic Hill, everything changes. That was the moment the journey truly began. The view over the national park and the lake—it’s breathtaking.

This connection between experience and story shapes our film. We had planned an emotional scene at Bridge of Orchy, but we were swarmed by midges—so that’s what we filmed. The reality of the trail. Climbing the Devil’s Staircase was the first real challenge—not just because of the steep ascent, but because we did it three times… running… with full backpacks. But each time we reached the top, the views were so awe-inspiring that they gave us the strength to go again.

After a week, we reached Fort William—the end of the West Highland Way. Even though we still had 400 kilometers and four weeks to go, the West Highland Way left a deep impression. It’s hard to put into words, but everyone who has walked it will understand.

For me, it’s incredible to combine two of my passions: filmmaking and hiking. This film is a starting point—for conversation, for memories, for trail stories, and for future dreams. Sometimes you can’t go outside. You’re stuck indoors. My hope is that this film lets you feel like you’re hiking the West Highland Way, right from your couch—and that when the time comes to go outside again, you’ll be inspired to walk it yourself.