Milngavie: Hiking at the start of the West Highland Way

Milngavie is the starting point of the West Highland Way. If you are looking for a hotel in Milngavie, you can plan your trip around this walking route, the paths around the reservoirs or the town’s cultural attractions. This puts a range of options in focus: a section of the long-distance trail, walks and cycle rides, or a visit to the gallery.

Hiking from Milngavie

The West Highland Way begins in Milngavie. The section from here to Drymen is a relatively easy start to the route: it follows footpaths, tracks and minor roads and has no major climbs. This describes the character of this section, not necessarily that of the stages that follow.

A detailed brochure presents eight popular local walks that start at the West Highland Way obelisk in the town centre. You can consider these routes as a selection of their own alongside the long-distance trail when planning your trip. Check maps and conditions again before setting out. Almost 63 kilometres of traffic-free paths have also been recorded in the Milngavie area; check the path conditions and access before using them. The West Highland Way offers pedestrians and some cyclists a car-free connection to Milngavie’s green spaces. Conditions may change.

Paths by the reservoirs and water

Flat, surfaced paths for walking, running and cycling run around the Milngavie and Craigmaddie Reservoirs. They offer views of Glasgow. The surfaced reservoir paths therefore differ in their described route and surface from the section of the West Highland Way to Drymen.

South of the town centre, Lennox Park provides access to the Allander Water. The reservoirs and the park add two further landscape settings to the walking options in the Milngavie area. When planning your days, you can consider these destinations alongside a stage of the West Highland Way, without treating them as part of its route.

Gallery and local heritage

The Lillie Art Gallery hosts exhibitions throughout the year. It displays works from its collection, including paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures and ceramics. This makes it a distinct cultural attraction alongside outdoor activities. The exhibition programme may change.

A monument at Commissioner’s Cottage commemorates James Gale in the Art Nouveau style. This local memorial offers another point of interest, distinct from the gallery’s exhibitions.

Community café and shop

At Gavin’s Mill, a community project runs an ethical shop and a community café. The shop sells fair-trade, sustainable and local goods; the café also offers such goods. This is a specific local stop to keep in mind as you plan your trip, alongside walks, waterside paths and the gallery.

Getting there and choosing your stay

Regular ScotRail trains connect Milngavie directly with Glasgow Queen Street station. As train frequency and timetables may change, check the service for your travel date. This lets you consider the train journey as a separate part of your planning, apart from deciding whether to start the West Highland Way, use the reservoir paths or include cultural attractions.

When choosing a hotel in Milngavie, these interests may guide your decision: the route to Drymen offers a relatively easy introduction to the West Highland Way, the reservoirs have flat, surfaced paths, and the Lillie Art Gallery displays exhibitions and works from its collection. You can shape your trip around your main interest without combining all the options into a single route.

Discover more destinations: Balgrochan, Bearsden, Lennoxtown, Campsie Glen, Bishopbriggs

Back to the main travel guide: East Dunbartonshire.