he trip got off to a great start thanks to the gracious and helpful hosts at Best Foot Forward B&B in Milngavie. A shout out as well to A2B Travel-Lite Baggage Transfer who smoothly handled a last minute change in arrangements.

 

The day started with the departure from Milngavie through a variety of parks and trails. The West Highland Way is well-marked so no concerns about losing the trail. One of the first sites I was eager to see were the Dumgoyach standing stones - they're to the east of the trail and the side trip involved some very wet feet. I then walked by Glengoyne Distillery, but did not stop in (a first!). Later, I had a brief stop at the lovely little village of Gartness and had a futile attempt to spot the remains of a Roman fort, the most northerly in Scotland, but I'm fairly certain that what I saw was the mundane remains of a retired quarry.

The start of the West Highland Way in MilngavieThe waymark for the WHW. The trail is well-marked and you'll get to know this symbol well.The Dumgoyach (nearly) Standing StonesResisting the temptation of Glengoyne Distillery (in the background)Shetland poniesFirst camp at the base of Conic Hill<>1 - 6

 

I passed by Drymen not long after and was close to the end of my first day's walk. Passing through Queen Elizabeth Forest Park I had hoped to find St. Maha's Well, but that wasn't to be. Upon exiting the park I knew I would soon have to choose a campsite. I had a couple of hours of sunlight left; however, Conic Hill was quickly approaching. If I passed over that then I would enter the restricted-camping zone. There's no camping from the northwest side of Conic Hill to a few miles (approximately 9 miles, as I recall) up the shores of Loch Lomond - too far to cover in the time I had left. The camping restriction is due to misuse, abuse, and generally poor behavior of many campers along that section of the West Highland Way.

 

Still, I camped along the Highland Boundary Fault - can't complain about that.