Day One of my first ever long-distance hike started pretty much in the middle of the night. I was on the Citylink Express bus service from my home in the West of Ireland to Dublin airport. My friend and hiking buddy Jane and I were meeting at the airport for the first flight of the day out to Glasgow, Scotland. It was way too early but I was awake with excitement and slight apprehension. At the end of the day, I was embarking on walking a hundred miles, even if one bit at a time. The first bit was to be Milngavie to Drymen, which is cca 10 miles or 16 kms.
We checked in our backpacks (mine had to go through oversized luggage because of my hiking poles tied to it), had wake up coffees and boarded our flight. We chatted all the way, giddy with excitement, going over the details of how we were going to get from Glasgow airport to the official start of the West Highland Way in Milngavie to Drymen, the place where we had our first camping booked.
Getting From Glasgow Airport to Milngavie
It was the fist time arriving at Glasgow Airport for either of us. Every other time I visited Scotland I flew to Edinburgh and so had Jane. However, it was very easy to navigate the airport. Our journey to Milngavie involved a combination of a bus and a train. We found that to be the most cost-effective and convenient way to reach the start of the West Highland Way. Soon we were outside the terminal boarding the Glasgow Airport Express Service 500 bus. It is a reliable and frequent service that connects the airport to Glasgow’s city centre in just about 20 minutes. It runs every quarter of an hour and stops at Buchanan Station where we needed to catch our train. We bought bus tickets on board from the driver, paying contactless, and enjoyed the early morning views heading towards the heart of the city.
Glasgow’s Buchanan Station is a major transportation hub that serves various destinations across the region. Milngavie is conveniently accessible from here. At the station, we bought fairly inexpensive tickets for the next train’s departure to Milngavie. We had about half an hour to wait, so we were seduced by the Krispy Kreme donut shop in the station. Sure, we will walk the pastries off! What a delicious way to start our hike.
When it was time, we boarded the Milngavie-bound train. We could already see that we were but two of many hikers starting their West Highland Way journey the same morning as us. Even when we picked a weekday and not a Saturday, when many people start the trail, our carriage was full of people with backpacks just like us. The journey was pleasant as it wound its way through the scenic Glaswegian outskirts. The entire trip from Glasgow airport to Milngavie Station on public transport is well-connected, affordable and efficient.
Hiking From Milngavie To Drymen
Milngavie Station is pretty much in the heart of the small town. It began to rain just as we arrived at the starting point of the West Highland Way, Milngavie to Drymen leg. Sign of things to come? We did not let it dampen our spirits, however, and used the time to get a posh sandwich for lunch in Marks & Spencer and a coffee with a bun in a cozy Costa coffeeshop on the town square. Jane tried my walking poles and decided she would also like a walking stick for the hike. She picked a lovely one from a trekking supplies shop in the centre of the town. Once we hoped the worst of the rain was over, we were finally on our way.
It was easy getting out of Milngavie. We had no problems finding the distinctive obelisk marking the official starting point of the West Highland Way in the town centre. Light showers were with us for the rest of the day but the weather actually was not too bad. Showers and sunshine bring rainbows. We had a sense of anticipation and the giddiness had not left us as we set off on the well-marked path. These initial miles of the hike were a gentle introduction to long-distance walking. The trail meandered through meadows and woodlands for the 12 miles from Milngavie to Drymen. All in all, it is an achievable day for hikers of varying experience levels. The path is well-maintained and signposts guide the way for a stress-free navigation.
As we left the outskirts of Milngavie behind, we first walked through the sprawling beauty of Mugdock Country Park. This expansive demesne includes woodlands, lochs and open fields. It gave us a taste of the varied landscapes lying ahead of us on the West Highland Way. We saw orchids along the way. Wild orchids, less ornate than the shop ones, absolutely beautiful. Carbeth Loch, with its serene waters reflecting the surrounding moorland, was a highlight along this leg of the journey. We could not help but stop for a break, admire the views and soak in the tranquility of the Scottish countryside.
We had a lovely late lunch in the Beech Tree Inn, sitting outside in their lovely garden at picnic tables. A rainbow spread over the hills, the food was delicious and the views amazing. As the trail progressed, the rolling landscape began to unfold. In the distance, we had gorgeous views of the Campsie Fells range. The path occasionally ascended and descended, giving us a moderate workout. Along the way, we crossed charming wooden bridges spanning bubbling streams, adding to the character of the landscape.
The final stretch of our first day on the hike, leading into Drymen, gave us wonderful glimpses of Loch Lomond, the largest freshwater lake in Britain. This expansive water body, framed by the majestic peaks of Ben Lomond, set the stage for the next leg of the West Highland Way.
Overnight in Drymen
Eventually, seven hours after setting off on the actual trail, we arrived in our campsite in the charming village of Drymen. How did 12 miles take us seven hours in an easy terrain from Milngavie to Drymen?! If this is our daily pace, we will never make it to Fort William in eight days! We did stop a lot and had a long leisurely lunch, but we really need to speed up for the rest of the hike!
I was very, very tired. I guess mainly because I had been awake and travelling for half a night and a full day. The campsite in Drymen was absolutely lovely. The view from our tents was over a field with a grazing horse. My tent felt very tight and quite claustrophobic. On the other hand, the small size equaled small weight. This was the very first time I ever pitched it. Once I got used to it, it was not bad. I am not a camper, or a seasoned hiker, and I had not slept in a tent since I was a child. I do prefer a proper bed much better. It rained a few times overnight. I woke up at midnight with the rain pelting against the side of the tent and again at 4 am. Thank goodness the tent remained perfectly dry and also very warm inside. I felt really quite snug.