The West Highland Way South (part 1)-Milngavie to Carbeth, East Dunbartonshire

The obelisk marking the start of the West Highland Way at Milngavie (click / tap to enlarge)

The ever popular West Highland Way (WHW) is a 96 mile long distance walking route that stretches from Milngavie (pronounced mill-guy) near Glasgow to Fort William in the Western Highlands. We are walking the whole route in parts, along two main sections: the southern section from the start of the route to Bridge of Orchy and the northern section from Bridge of Orchy to Fort William. We've broken the two sections up into smaller sequential numbered parts and the walks will usually be there and back routes. We will be swapping back and fore between the sections, so you'll see articles popping up covering both. We've already covered some of the northern section and you can read about the parts we've walked here. More information on the West Highland Way can be found on their official website.

This walk covers the start of the route from Milngavie to Carbeth and follows a there and back route of approximately 6.8 miles in total. It's a pleasant, often shady walk that follows Allander Water through Mugdock Country Park and onwards past Craigallian Loch. The path is pretty good, very well signposted and easy to follow. The route contains some gradual uphill sections but it's fairly easy going. The dogs were on and off lead according to how busy the route was and the occasional road / loch / marsh hazards. There were lots of walkers and cyclists out as it was a nice, sunny weekend but the walk was quieter once we were through the country park. 

We visited on a Sunday when the council car parks are all free and there were a good number of spaces available in the larger car parks (we opted to park in the Woodburn Way car park). En route to the start of the walk we stumbled upon a great dog friendly café / coffee shop, Bullands, just around the corner from the start of the WHW on Mugdock Road. Not over priced, great coffee and generous, quality breakfast rolls that set us up for our walk very nicely! They also have a large outside seating area opposite.

As usual, you will find a map of the route and link to parking location at the end of the article. Information is current as of our last visit in May 2023. All images can be clicked / tapped to enlarge.

Here are the photos:

The start of the West Highland Way

Some of the highlights of the WHW are displayed on panels along the path down from the start 

Pretty, glazed ceramic rock sculptures can be seen along the route

A welcome shady path along Allander Water

Tommy in the distance looking suspicious!

A little dip in Allander Water just by Milngavie Golf Course

Plenty of spots to cool off along the way!

Craigallian Loch

The end of our route for today at Carbeth and a suitable spot for Tommy to sit for a photo!

Route overview with surrounding area (click / tap to enlarge)

Close up of start area and car park

Route detail - part 1 of 3

Route detail - part 2 of 3

Route detail - part 3 of 3

Google Maps link to car park near start location

Link to East Dunbartonshire Council website for further information on parking

PLEASE BE SURE TO READ OUR DISCLAIMER WHICH ALSO INCLUDES IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.

Balquhidder Church to Creag an Tuirc, Kirkton Glen and Lochan an Eireannaich, Stirling

Tommy approves of the spectacular viewpoint at Creag an Tuirc, Balquhidder! (click / tap to enlarge)

Taking advantage of the dry weather this past week, we headed over to Balquidder for a walk out to one of our favourite viewpoints at Creag an Tuirc, before continuing up Kirkton Glen to the hidden Lochan an Eireannaich.

Our walk starts at the 19th century Balquidder Church which is well worth a visit and contains displays on the history of the church and area. You'll also find the ruins of the 17th century kirk here and the disputed location of the graves of Rob Roy and his family. Dogs are allowed in the graveyard but as you'd expect, they are not allowed in the parish church itself. We then continue up Kirkton Glen, deviating out to Creag an Tuirc (Boar's Crag), rallying place of Clan MacLaren, for the stunning view across Loch Voil. Returning to the forest track, we continue up the glen. Be alert for the sign-posted left hand turn off the forest track to Glen Dochart.

The walk now climbs up through the hills towards Glen Dochart and affords superb views of Kirkton Glen behind us. As the walk levels off, we pass a huge boulder, named Rob Roy's Putting Stone and shortly afterwards, the hidden Lochan an Eireannaich (Loch of the Irishmen) appears before us. It's definitely worth carrying on beyond the loch a little way for the awesome views of the mountains beyond, before heading back.

The walk is a mostly there and back route covering a total distance of approximately 7 miles. It's fairly strenuous and includes the best part of 600 metres of ascent; most of it is gradual, with some steeper sections. It can be pretty muddy out to the viewpoint in bad weather but the path up the glen is a good quality forest track. Be alert to any forestry work that may be taking place though. Once into the hills, it's a grassy path which is boggy in places. Dogs will need to be kept close / on lead once in the hills as there are often sheep present. Also be sure to check for ticks (Jasper picked a few up). Incidentally, I wouldn't be tempted to come back via the path on the other side of Kirkton Glen as it's often pretty boggy and muddy.

Limited parking is available at the church and it's often quite busy. That said, most visitors only come to see Rob Roy's grave and don't stay long. There is more parking down the road at the village hall if the church is too congested. You'll find a Google Maps link and a map of the route at the end of the article. Information is current as of our last visit in May 2023. All images can be clicked / tapped to enlarge.

Here are the photo highlights:

Ruin of the old kirk 

Rob Roy family graves

Balquhidder Parish Church

Creag an Tuirc viewpoint overlooking Loch Voil

Creag an Tuirc with the Clan MacLaren memorial cairn

No forestry work going on when we walked through but there were obvious signs that they had been working there. Keep the dogs and kids clear of the log stacks!

Keep an eye out for the narrow left turn to Glen Dochart (you'd miss it if it weren't for the sign!)

A pretty little waterfall on the Glen Dochart path

Jasper and Tommy on the hill path

Jasper chilling out as Kirkton Glen stretches out behind him

Looking back down Kirkton Glen

Rob Roy's Putting Stone

Jasper investigates Lochan an Eireannaich

Jasper with his little pet Cavalier!

Fantastic views over Glen Dochart down below and out to the mountains in the north

The early evening sun makes for an attractive return trip back through the forest

Route overview (click / tap to enlarge)

Route detail - part 1 of 3

Route detail - part 2 of 3

Route detail - part 3 of 3

Link to parking at start location on Google Maps

PLEASE BE SURE TO READ OUR DISCLAIMER WHICH ALSO INCLUDES IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.

The Darn Walk, Bridge of Allan, Stirling

Tommy on the Treasure Island themed bench outside Ben Gunn's cave on the Darn Walk (click / tap to enlarge)

The Darn Walk follows the old Roman road between the charming town of Bridge of Allan and Dunblane. It's a picturesque and magical route that passes through shady wooded areas as it winds its way up Allan Water. The walk also takes in the cave that was the inspiration for Ben Gunn's Cave in Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island". Stevenson's family enjoyed holidaying in Bridge of Allan and it was a popular Victorian spa town.

The walk can be quite muddy in wet weather and there are some steps but otherwise, it's fairly easy going. Take care with dogs and children as there are some steep drops along parts of the walk. You can follow a circular 2.2 mile section along the bottom part of the route or take the linear route up to Dunblane (a further 1.3 miles each way). Information is current as of our last visit in May 2023. A map of the route can be found at the bottom of the article. Free on street parking is available. All images can be clicked / tapped to enlarge.

Here are the photos:

Jasper waits at the railway bridge

A designated Tommy photo spot!

Plenty of opportunities to cool off in Allan Water along the way

View from the bridge over Allan Water

View from the bridge over Allan Water

Jasper amidst the bluebells

Overview of route with surrounding area (click / tap to enlarge)

Route detail - part 1 of 2

Route detail - part 2 of 2

PLEASE BE SURE TO READ OUR DISCLAIMER WHICH ALSO INCLUDES IMPORTANT GENERAL SAFETY INFORMATION.