After walking to Milngavie from the campsite, having a breakfast at a bakery in the center and watching a lot of walkers and cyclists getting ready, I myself started walking at 9 a.m.
It happened to be a beautiful sunny day. I had read that the first stages of the WHW aren’t very spectacular, but I immediately liked the landscape. Yes, the later parts are more beautiful, but the first kilometres also are worth it. And it’s a relatively easy start, easy terrain, not very hilly.
Along the way I talked to three Scottish girls doing the way in 5 days, and a German couple who did the standard stages. This meant that the Germans would sleep in Drymen, where I had a lasagne to regain strength for continuing to Balmaha. Actually most walkers stopped in Drymen, so after that things got very quiet. Too quiet for my liking. During the afternoon I hardly saw a soul. The path was nice though, getting the first views of Loch Lomond from Conic Hill. Somewhere on this hill I met two English men who told me about the pub in Balmaha. I decided to have a small dinner there before continuing to Milarrochy Bay campsite.
The campsite was like an oasis for me, arriving very tired after walking 34 kms with a heavy backpack. Friendly people in the shop, hot showers, and some fellow WHW walkers.
-> May 30: Milarrochy Bay – Inverarnan
<- May 28: Edinburgh Airport – Milngavie