A Train and a Walk

Tuesday, July 29.

Up early to have everything ready to catch the train to Milngavie (mill-guy). Nice breakfast but mostly just continental.

Out the door of the hotel pulling our roller bags to the Queen Street station about 8 blocks away. Lots of people looking like they were heading for their jobs coming from the station. Had to ask a couple times, but we found Platform 8 and the reader board that stated the train we wanted. Getting tickets was easy on-line and the QR code got us through the turnstiles and a look of approval by the conductor on the train. The train left right on time and smoothly delivered us to Milngavie.

Just outside the station entrance, we met the Travel-Lite van that would take our suitcases to our hotel in Dryman (Drimmin). A bakery was just by the way to the West Highland Way, so we stopped and had a nice tuna on focaccia made up for us.

After that, we walked a couple blocks to the arch that signifies the beginning of the West Highland Way. After filling water bottles and selfies, we began our journey.

The walking was fairly easy going for most of the day. There were a few lakes and nice views of the hilly terrain north of Milngavie. Lots of sheep and some cows.

In the middle of the day, around noon, we came to the Beech Tree Inn. It sits right next to the trail. We decided to take a break there, and bought a beer each. The sign said “no outside food” but they seemed to allow us some leeway to eat our sandwich as long as we purchased the beer.

Then we walked along the aqueduct toward Dryman. It was about 6 more miles to Buchanan Arms Hotel where we arrived at 3:15pm. Our bags were there, as promised. We got to our room and hung out for a while relaxing after our 12-13 mile day.

Hoping for a martini tonight, we were disappointed. They had a small list of cocktails and neither would they actually make a mixed drink for you. We both ordered wine along with a Scotch Egg to share and half orders of Chicken Supreme. The Sticky Toffee Pudding with ice cream was a delightful finish.

By then, we were ready to get back to our room to rest up for the next leg to Rowardennan.