Day 1/6 The West Highland Way 152km - Milngavie to Drymen - 21 Mar 2009

I embarked on my 2nd 6-day walk this easter holiday...this time...Scotland! The West Highland Way was the first official long-distance footpath in Scotland, and has been sensitively waymarked with its symbol - a white thistle within a hexagon. Ever since, it has become a pilgrimage for mountain lovers who are keen to travel simply on foot into the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Indeed!....but actually I had to admit I got quite sick of mountains after 6 days of seeing mountains!

Early in the morning, I caught the train from Newcastle to Milngavie, changing at Edinburgh and Glasgow. Lots of hassle, but there was no other direct train. Finally, the long distance walk began! There was a very special feeling when I crossed under the big sign - "WEST HIGHLAND WAY". It was a bit of pride (that I was going to do the whole Way), and lots of anticipation and excitement.





The first 10km of the Way provided easy walking along gentle paths through amenity parks and woodland leading me quickly out of the suburbs into genuine countryside. My first impression of the way was that it was an easy but boring one, just because it was still very close to civilisation. I realised that my expectations had grown as I completed more hikes. Some scenery which had impressed me previously seemed boring now. The path was very well-marked, hence it was quite impossible to get lost. :) Very good, at least I could immerse myself in the scenery totally without having to worry at every junction.




I passed Craigallian Loch with its surprise views of the rugged Campsie Fells, before I arrived on an indistinct ridge overlooking Blane Valley. From here there were distant views to the Highlands tantalising me with the splendour of the hills that were to come. A superb descent across open grassland drained by tiny streams took me round the pretty wooded knoll of Dumgoyach to the valley bottom.












Next the Way followed the bed of a disused railway...Straight and level...a little boring too. Finally it passed the pretty sandstone hamlet of Gartness before turning into Drymen - a large and bustling village where I had been 2 months ago. The first day of walk was over. Simple, straightforward. Only took 4.5hours. Great sunny weather.












I would be spending my 1st night at a friend's house/B&B - David and Frances Lander. They apparently forgot I was arriving that day. Haa!!! But it was a good surprise/shock! Then it was catching up with people I've met not too long ago, helping out in the gardens a bit, and watching movie in the cosy living room. I was very exhausted that day, not sure why, but a good night sleep should help. Blisters developing....Hiaz...