ALL PHOTOS CLICK FULL SCREEN.
On a walk a few months back, in a different area, discussing the range of new long distance paths springing up across Scotland, around 20 now or thereabouts, Alan happened to mention that he hadn't done the West Highland Way, the first official long distance route in Scotland opened in 1980. It runs for 96 miles between Milngavie, a community just north of Glasgow to Fort William in the Highlands. Neither of us had done the full route although I've completed most of it as day walks, either bagging hills or just for something to do at low level when camping or staying in the glens over the decades. I have done the first section from Milngavie to Drymen as a proper walk ( sometime in the 1980s ) and remembered enjoying it... so fancied doing some of it again as part of a day walk. Milngavie town centre here.
The 'out of sight, out of mind' attitude I mentioned a few posts ago also applies here as despite living very close to Milngavie, 5 mins drive away in a car, I've not thought about the West Highland Way more than a handful of times since the 1980s. Slightly surprising, since I've done numerous long distance back packing routes across France, Spain and Italy but I suppose that just highlights how much there is to do in Scotland, even within the Central Belt region. It was a June Sunday morning of mist and drizzle when we wandered around Milngavie town centre, a pleasant change after weeks of sunshine and hot temperatures to get a cool day. Cool days used to be normal in Scotland but not so much now.
I don't remember all these metal signs here the last time but like any place we go these days new walks suggest themselves. Also around ten years since I walked this one. Filed away in the brain for a future day trip. Main reason I haven't done any of Scotland's long distance routes is that when I did get a precious two weeks holiday off work each year I preferred spending it in other countries doing long distance mountain walks there in completely new areas.
Despite the drizzle we were enjoying the cool conditions with plenty to see in Milngavie. Parking can be awkward here which is probably why I'm not here more often though I drive through it all the time. Better to arrive by train or bus, or park on Mugdock Road beside Mudock Reservoir which is where we parked on this occasion though this too is a busy, popular car park so better to arrive early before 10am. If you like serious walking, 10 miles or so, you can park at Mugdock Country Park main car parks ( less busy) and walk down from there which makes a full day hike in great scenery.
We were happy with a 3 hour stroll. Knitted bee here.
More creatures.
The good thing about being a wet Sunday was the lack of people for photography as usually this is a busy shopping centre.
It's a pleasant place for the start of the walk and most long distance walkers will arrive here by train and get any extra supplies they need around the shops.
Being an upmarket suburb the shops here are an eclectic mix, from small art galleries to pound shops. (discount stores)
The West Highland Way is right in the middle of the main shopping street in Milngavie, not far from the train station which is very handy then runs up the right hand side of the Allander water.
There's a lot more signage and direction markers than I remember but that just makes it easy to find and feels more of a big deal setting off.
Despite everyone having mobile phones now and GPS there's far more signage than there used to be. The Clyde Coastal path also crosses this area from the Clyde coastal resorts. I've done most of that route as day walks as well. Another fine long distance route. See my last post on Saltcoats for a glimpse of that walk.
The other reason we were here was to turn this first section of the West Highland Way walk into a circular day excursion so that included a tour round both Milngavie reservoirs. Mugdock Reservoir first, Greylag geese above....
Fifteen minutes later the heavy rain had fizzled out and it was back to heaven again.
With the better conditions other creatures came out to play with a multitude of butterflies, bees, tiny frogs, newts, and dragonflies attracted by the cornucopia of flowers growing along the sides of the reservoirs. Humans walked on the sterile paths above, largely oblivious to these natural wonders fifteen feet below..
A bird family.
A human remembrance tree.
An enjoyable walk. We made it a circular one by following the West Highland Way from Milngavie up to Mugdock Country Park then coming out at Dumbrock car park on Mugdock Road ( where we parked.) round the two reservoirs, then down via Tannoch Loch and the Glasgow Academy green hollow to Milngavie town centre. Around 3 hours with one 15 min lunch.
Another good outing. On a different topic I failed to watch a single tennis match during Wimbledon this summer and haven't done for years. What I have been engrossed in, and have been a fan of for the last 8 or so years is Woman's Football. I started watching it a few World Cups ago and was impressed then by the standard. It's free on TV, unlike the men's game, and I found it far more entertaining than the men's game. Only one in 30 has been a 0 0 draw at full time, last nights Spain vs Germany game- which was dull if you weren't supporting either team. Surprisingly, as a Scot, I've been right behind England's team for the last six years, as supporting the female Chelsea side on TV throughout the various seasons even before that I know most of, not only England's female players, but many in the top UK British and international players sides competing in the Euros. Which makes a big difference. Since Andy Murray packed in tennis I've not kept up with it so I only know the older tennis pros... and the younger ones, male and female, seem very interchangeable now, no one really dominating results to the same extent.
War memorial.
A close up view.
and for anyone that likes good music and excellent musicianship these two sisters always supply the goods over the last 10 years... and a nod to yet another Scottish long distance path. The John Muir Way from Helensburgh to Dunbar. One coast to another. If you are not aware of them already you should rectify that.
6 comments:
I have just shown this post to my husband who used to do that walk every Sunday morning whilst pushing our baby son in his pram. Our son is now in his 50s and neither of us remember Milngavie looking like that than - interesting for us to see - thank you.
Hi Rosemary, I've added two photos of the war memorial, which you might remember in the middle of Main Street , as they at least stay the same through the decades.
Thanks for the extra photos - it is a view that we both remember.
We used to walk round here in lockdown, or at least when lockdown eased a bit and you could travel a few miles for exercise. I remember all the metal signs so they’ve been there since at least 2020. I’m reluctant to go back there now because I do associate the area in my mind with those horrible times.
Hi Anabel, I'm going to answer this honestly and selfishly from my own point of view. Obviously I had sympathy for anyone who died or caught long covid, the doctors and nurses, NHS staff, nursing homes, flat dwellers without gardens, parents trying to educate or entertain children etc but I did enjoy lockdown, especially the first one. It happened in Spring so I was still able to get out locally by bike and foot and everywhere was deserted, just me and nature. I thought I would be lonely or isolated but like Chris Packham nature has always been a huge part of my life and I enjoyed all the emerging stories from around the world of clear skies and nature bouncing back. Also wars either didn't happen or were smaller scale. Another bonus was it was a great leveller of people. Obviously for the last 50 years the gap between rich and poor has been growing. I remember thinking on my bike runs the folk that will be mostly affected by this will the richest in society, no more social outings, no more trips abroad, nights out etc. A chance to experience what the poor people endure year after year, decade after decade, many of whom would/ might adapt better as it was just their usual existence, like myself. I remember chef Jamie Oliver wondering why poor people often had large televisions if they didn't have any money but I got it right away. Once you pay for the TV and licence it's years of cheap family entertainment when you haven't got the cash to go anywhere. As my car could only do a few miles at this point anyway, before overheating, and no money to get a better one ( it was fine for work, self employed, outdoors) I was comforted by the fact that everyone else was stuck as well :o) No more FOMO for me.
On the plus side for many of my university educated, high paying job friends in outdoor clubs they might have been restricted during lockdown but they did save thousands by not going on holiday, the usual socializing every week, so they had plenty of spare cash for treats when it did reopen. The internet was also a great advantage then during lock-downs for music, films and general entertainment/ keeping children amused/ or educated.
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