West Highland Way Section 1 – Milngavie to Drymen

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West Highland Way Section 1 – Milngavie to Drymen

By Dave Roberts   

on December 17, 2020   No ratings yet.

Posted in Official West Highland Way Route

West Highland Way Section 1 – Milngavie to Drymen

Further Details

Route Summary:

The easy first section of the West Highland Way lulls you into a false sense of security.

Start and Finish: Milngavie to Drymen

Distance: 19.1 km

Ascent: 225 m

Time: 6 hours

Timings are approximate and depend on the individual. Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Weather Forecast:

Facilities:

Beech Tree Inn at Dumgoyne (at the 11.2km point)

Public Transport:

Railway station at Milngavie. There are no direct buses between Milngavie and Drymen, so it’s not practical to base yourself in Milngavie for the first night.

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Keep an eye out for:

Recommended WHW Maps: 

West Highland Way Guidebooks:

Scottish Highland Guidebooks:

Businesses on this section of the West Highland Way: 

West Highland Way Section 1 – Milngavie to Drymen Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

Download file for GPS

West Highland Way Section 1 – Milngavie to Drymen

The first section of the West Highland Way from Milngavie to Drymen, starts off in the centre of Drymen, rather uninspiringly outside Costas! This first leg is more lowland than highland, but is a steady start to the trail. Many will not be sufficiently prepared, and this section allows you to ease into the West Highland Way gently.

The section sets off from Milngavie, on good paths as far as Dumgoyach before setting off on a former railway line. It becomes even easier going, to Gartness and easy country lanes to the outskirts of Drymen.

One of the highlights of the section is Mugdock Country Park, which includes the ruins of the 13th century Mugdock Castle, the seat of the Clan Graham. One tower still stands despite the castle being partially destroyed during the Civil War and being incorporated into a Victorian mansion. There are further ruins of the more recent gothic revival castle of Craigend Castle.

 

 

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

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