Following years of idle discussion about walking the West Highland Way, my brother, father and I eventually got organised this year and decided to walk the 96-mile route from lowlands to highlands in Scotland.
Winding its way from suburban Milngavie, via the winding banks of Loch Lomond, over desolate Rannoch Moor, up the Devil’s Staircase, and finally to Fort William in the shadow of Ben Nevis, the WHW is a rite of passage for many Scots. We decided to spare ourselves the ordeal of carrying camping equipment with us, and rather make use of Scotland famous B & B accommodation over the seven-day journey.
Beginning under the underwhelming ‘West Highland Way’ metallic sign in Milngavie, we wound our way through Mugdock Country Park, gradually leaving behind the dog walkers and Monday morning joggers. We have been exceptionally lucky with weather so far – mid March is right on the boundary of recommended WHW traversing – and the weak spring sun shone down on all all day. Buzzards swung overhead as we walked. The trail really is excellently preserved, with little or no need to use maps to keep on route.
Past Farmhouse and quarry, wishing well and well-kept woodland we walked, until after a quick twelve miles we came to our repose for the night – the Clachan Inn, reputedly the oldest licensed public house in Scotland. Food at the aforementioned was excellent, and the low-slung building very atmospheric, although not as (reputedly) haunted as some of out forthcoming accommodation will be. Tomorrow will be a slightly more sedate wander into Balmaha, before the gruelling twenty-miler up the east Bank of Loch Lomond…
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How wonderful, Matthew. I’m looking forward to seeing the next stages and hearing about some of those hauntings. 🙂
Thanks Chris. Tomorrow night should be interesting!
😯
Wonderful Matthew. Hope the next stage goes well. Happy Adventure Days My Friend.
Thanks Goff.
Cheers My Friend.
Hope yous have a great time on your adventure… and that there’s not a blister among you 🤞
Thanks Susan. Plenty of blisters unfortunately! 😄
Oh, no! I hope they don’t slow you down too much 😊
wow ! what an achievement already. It is very special gift for dad to walk with this two sons; he must be fit and healthy — if not a little exhausted by this stage 🙂
Thanks John. He can still out walk his two sons!
Lol ; I bet he feels good about that 🙂
How wonderful of you to share your adventure, Matthew. I hope all goes well.
Thanks so much – very kind of you.
Too early in the year for midgies, I assume – but watch out for the blisters! Cheers Matthew