2026 Lewes to Lewis

Over breakfast we met Claire, Tara and Maggie a team of Scottish medics - all keen walkers and walking the WHW for the first time. We decided to rename them International rescue - at the same time hoping their services wouldn't be called upon. We left them enjoying their eggs benedict, bought our provisions for the day and headed off up the hill. Today was a game of two halves. For the first 5 miles, the preoccupation was Conic Hill - or Chronic Hill as some wag at the shop called it. At about 1200 ft it's nothing compared to the big chaps in the vicinity but it's in the way, so has to be climbed over. Approaching from our side, the summit is accessed by a short detour from the trail. Everyone from our side, walking from Drymen with backpacks.  Approaching from the other side,  ' mere' day- trippers walking up the short but steep path from a large car park at Balmaha. Last time I recall there had been no point in taking the detour as there was so little visibili...

On realising yesterday evening that we only had an easy going 10 miles today, we treated ourselves to a relaxed breakfast and then we enjoyed ourselves even more saying goodbyes to all the various unsuspecting parties we'd said hello to the previous day. Neil got a chance to practice his Portuguese again and even got talking to another couple on their honeymoon. Honestly! ..there is no stopping this man! After purchasing a lunch of the requisite Scotch Pies we set off at about 11 and made our way through Blanefield and along the line of the old railway to join the WHW at Dumgoyach Bridge. After yesterday's purchase of Neil's new rain jacket, I realised I'd have to keep a close eye on him in case he disappeared in camouflage!! The trail seemed to have many more walkers than the last time I walked in 2022. At about half way we decided to visit the Glengoyne Distillery and of course as Neil justified at the time, it was at least after midday so we could squeeze in a wee ...

We decided not to walk miles through Glasgow suburbs to the start of the West Highland Way, so we caught the train from Queen St to Milngavie. In glorious sunshine we found our way through the shops and cafes of Milngavie  to the official start of the West Highland Way where with the assistance of very friendly and helpful ladies  and varying degrees of success  we managed to record the happy event. Perfect walking conditions. In just the first few miles, it struck us how many people seemed to be doing the walk - either North / South or South / North. We decided on a short detour off the West Highland Way to go to through Mugdock Country Park and see Mugdock Castle. We stopped for a grown-up lunch at Craigend Castle and then continued through the Carglas Plantation with amazing views of the Strathblane Hills up ahead. We dropped down to Strathblane passing some hungry horses on the way. After a beer in warm sunshine in front of the hotel, I went for a walk around the v...

Glasgow and a planned rest day so I decided to slob-out and took an open-top bus tour of the city. And very good it was too - though pretty hot sitting there on the front seat in the sunshine. A very efficient way for a person with a sore foot to see The Cathedral and St. Mungo's Museum,  the Tollgate Steeple,  the People's Palace,  Nelson's Column,  the Squinty Bridge,  the Science Centre,  the Finnieston 'Titan' crane,  Alexander 'Greek' Thomson's church on St. Vincent St.,  St George's Tron and Nelson Mandela Square before returning to George Square and the City Chambers. Then, it was great to meet Neil off the train from Oxford after his big birthday at Gors y Gedol and looking very healthy just having walked the South Downs Way. After the frustrations of his delayed train journey, we soon found our way to a beer before eventually down some not particularly salubrious streets..... ...to supper.  and then just a quick nightcap at The Pot ...