Walk from Milngavie to Drymen

Approaching Dumgoyne on the West Highland Way route

How far is it to walk between Milngavie and Drymen?

The first stretch of the West Highland Way, from Milngavie to Drymen, covers 12 miles (20 km) and typically takes around 5 hours at a leisurely pace. Before diving into the route, check out some essential tips and background on this iconic long-distance Scottish trail.

Plan Your West Highland Way Trip

Planning a West Highland Way adventure? Don’t miss our comprehensive West Highland Way Planning Guide, designed to help you prepare for every part of the journey. We’ve received lots of positive feedback on how helpful these guides are for walkers. We also collaborate closely with the Official West Highland Way team, whose work is crucial in maintaining the trail. If you want to support them, consider donating or purchasing their official merchandise.

Getting to Milngavie

Milngavie is easily accessible by train from Glasgow. It is a short walk from the station to the official starting point of the West Highland Way. The town centre offers a variety of supplies, food, and drink options, including several coffee shops, Greggs, and an M&S.

Facilities on Route

While walking this section, you’ll find several options for refreshments:

• Mugdock Park and Carbeth: Coffee shops (slightly off the route)

• The Beech Tree Inn: Near Killearn

• Turnip the Beet: At Killearn Mill

• Drymen: Offers a chemist, a Spar, a village shop, a bakery, two pubs, two hotels, a beer shop, and various B&Bs.

Baggage Transfer for the West Highland Way

If you’re walking the entire West Highland Way, consider using a baggage transfer service to make your journey easier. Services such as AMS, Travel Lite, Baggage Freedom, and Macs Adventures can transfer your luggage between overnight stops, allowing you to carry only the essentials during the day.

Cycling the West Highland Way

While the West Highland Way is primarily a walking route, some sections, including this one, are suitable for cycling. The paths and tracks on this stretch are well-maintained and offer a scenic cycling experience.

Let’s Get Started!

Now, back to the first section of the West Highland Way, from Milngavie to Drymen. The official starting point of the trail is marked on the map below—get ready for an unforgettable journey!

 

The Start of the West Highland Way

Milngavie to Drymen is the enjoyable typical first-day itinerary for walkers of the complete 96-mile trail. The mainly gentle paths help to ease walkers into their rhythm, ahead of the steeper hills that await them after Drymen when they enter the Highlands. You can see the starting point on the map above. Towards the top of the map is Ben Lomond, which you will pass by a few days later, and the Munro is often visible from the path.

Walk between Milngavie and Drymen

Of course, you don't have to walk all of the 12-mile route I have described here, as it is straightforward to enjoy much shorter sections. Join or leave the path at Mugdock Park, Carbeth, Dumgoyne or Killearn Mill.

The official start of the West Highland Way in Douglas Street, Milngavie

Recently the West Highland Way celebrated its 40th anniversary. Now firmly established as one of Scotland’s most famous and loved walking routes, the route started initially without much fanfare at Milngavie. But, as a testament to its vast popularity, you cannot miss that this is where the trail begins. 

Milngavie, Glasgow

Milngavie is a town just north of Glasgow in East Dunbartonshire. Walking into the town centre from the train station car park, you will pass many signs, displays, storyboards, art pieces, banners for the West Highland Way, all ideal Instagram content for walkers wishing to share the start of their adventure. 

The stone obelisk on Douglas Street marks the official start of the West Highland Way. Close by; there is metal artwork cut out to feature some of the many landmarks and milestones along the route. A more recent and practical addition is a free Scottish Water top-up tap. 

Scottish Water Top-Up Tap at Milngavie at the start of the West Highland Way

Following the West Highland Way Route

A marker for the West Highland Way at Milngavie

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The route is well signed, not just as you leave Milngavie but along the entire 96-mile trail to Fort William. The path initially runs alongside Allander Water, into Mugdock Country Park, through the woodlands.

Carbeth, West Highland Way

Around 5 miles into the walk is Carbeth Loch, with its community of wooden huts. Hutting here dates back around 100 years, becoming very popular just before World War II. 

Carbeth along the route of the West Highland Way

Glengoyne Distillery

Glengoyne Distillery and Dumgoyne on the West Highland Way path

As the path widens out at Strath Blane, you get good views of Dumgoyne, with Ben Lomond visible in the distance. The West Highland Way route picks up and follows the old Blane Valley Railway line; there is a footpath to cross over to Glengoyne Distillery and Dumgoyne if you can tour the distillery at Glengoyne.

Beech Tree Inn

At the Beech Tree Inn close to Killearn Mill, you will find a place to stop and pick up some food; its welcome sign works hard to tempt walkers along the West Highland Way to call in.

Turnip the Beet

Turnip the Beat at Killearn Mill on the West Highland Way

A little further along the route at Killearn Mill is the very popular Turnip the Beat, serving deli meals, snacks and drinks.  

Pots of Gartness

Honesty shop at Pots of Gartness

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Approaching Drymen

At Gartness, there is an honesty shop if you need ice cream to get you through the last section to Drymen. You’ll see the site of an old gravel pit on your left, with glimpses of Loch Lomond and some of its islands in the distance. The last few miles go up and down a quiet lane. Look out for a path signed with a West Highland way marker leading to a field; this brings you close to the Old School House in Drymen. There’s another honesty shop at Drymen Camping.

You can walk up Stirling Road into Drymen. Alternatively, you cross the bypass and continue along Gartness Road to take you into the village if you stay on the lane. Drymen is the first night stop for many West Highland Way walkers, with some excellent places to stay and enjoy a night in the village. You’ll also be able to visit the new village bakery and deli.

Walking towards Drymen on the West Highland Way

Thanks for reading

Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.

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