Where do I start? The West Highland Way, one of the best things I have achieved and experienced this year! Would I walk it again, debatable, why? Because even though the scenery is stunning, the people you meet along the way are super friendly and the huge sense of achievement you feel at the end of it, it’s NOT easy! You have to train for this walk and you have to be prepared for many the ‘sneaky hills’ you’ll come across.
Day 1, by far the easiest day of them all. You’re super charged and ready to go, unaware of what beauty you’re about to face. I wouldn’t say that The West Highland Way is a flat walk, but what I will say is that the first day is the flattest walking day.
We walked The Way in 7 days, which I would 100% suggest doing. Purely because the longer the day, the harder it is. Our first day was an easy 12 miles from Milngavie to Drymen. If you do walk The Way I will warn you now there are many inclines, we nicknamed these ‘sneaky scottish hills’ and as you start the first day you come across your first ‘sneaky scottish hill’.
On this day it rained, but thankfully that was the only day we experienced rain which is unheard of in Scotland. Make sure you are prepared for every type of weather, we were extremely lucky with it being sunny, but Scotland is known for it’s quick changing forecasts. Unfortunately, with hot and damp conditions brings midgeys. A bug which can only described as the biting devil. Once they bite you they are extremely itchy so make sure you pack bug spray, itching relief cream and a midgey net to go over your head, trust me you’ll need it!
One thing I would have liked on the walk is the see more wildlife. From Milngavie to Drymen your not fully in the Highland’s just yet, but this is probably where you will see the most wildlife including; cows, sheep and the occasional dog walker.
Summary of day 1; flattest day, easy walk, farm and field type scenery.
Head over to my youtube channel to see the first video of my 7 part series called ‘West Highland Wednesdays’. Thank you for reading this blog, I can’t wait for you to see and hear all about my journey along The Way.
Always wandering,
Danielle x
The Wandering Wilson 