Introduction To The West Highland Way

West Highland Way Episode 1, Milngavie to Drymen
Hey Y'all! The West Highland Way opened in 1980 as the first officially designated long-distance footpath in Scotland. In 2010 it became the first European Trail added to the International Appalachian Trail. I've had this trail on my radar for a few years now, and it seemed like the perfect thru-hike to attempt while 6 months pregnant. It's been a beautiful trail so far and I can't wait to share the rest with you!
00:00 Getting to the Terminus
00:44 Starting the Trail
01:19 Some Info About The West Highland Way
02:11 Day One of Hiking
07:29 Aches and Pains
08:16 Scottish Ancestry
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[@bernardlyons2422]

The only tune you could possibly start with. Brilliant.

[@celinelia8127]

@bernardlyons2422 what about bagpipes?!

[@bernardlyons2422]

@@celinelia8127 Well it could have started with “Scotland The Brave”, but that would have been a cliche.

[@sbc1t]

@@celinelia8127 Its a walking Song . that's why she used it .

[@inthehouse1960]

I love the Scottish people. Whenever I travel to the UK, I can't wait to get to Scotland and start joking and laughing with the Scotts. I've traveled all over the world and Scotland is my 'heart place'. I hope you make some great memories there that will last a lifetime. Blessings.

[@Sakrysta]

That opening music sting immediately had me grinning! 🥰

[@28105wsking]

Its so nice to see the Dearly Beloved walking with you. You are not alone anymore! You are with the whole famdamnbly! Have a wonderful fun time!

[@traveller9625]

Glad to see you in your happy place and with family. Two walkin and one ridin

[@katmalin]

Welcome to Scotland! I live in Edinburgh and have been watching your videos for years. So exciting to see what you make of our country! Enjoy! And haste ye back!

[@jimdrude]

Welcome to Scotland. Hope you enjoy our wee country so much that you come again. And again!

[@h.b.4058]

My (then 85 years old) Dad and I did the WHW in 2022. I hope you love it as much as we did. We had literally every type of weather, but it was all worth it. ❤❤

[@WainwrightWalksWiaLocalLad]

Welcome to the UK!

[@Lynx5371]

My daughter and husband moved to Milngavie from Nashville with then only grandchild. The second was born there. They had to come back during the pandemic. We all loved Scotland and was sad that they had to leave. My husband hiked the whole AT and walked from Milngavie to Loch Lomond and back during his only 2 week trip. He then drove with my son-in- law to Fort Williams and climbed Ben Nevis. I plan to take a couple of my friends to Milngavie next summer. It was fun for me because during their time there, I was there for about 12 weeks total. I was really able to get a real feel of daily Scottish life. I made some great friendships there through my daughter.

[@christinejackson8542]

I'm in Decatur Alabama and thinking about Ya'll !!! U are amazing hiking like this at 6 mths pregnant. U go girl !!!

[@jimb0wie]

That’s pretty cool that you’re here in the UK hiking right now. :)

[@sheilam5991]

Thankful you are doing this with your husband. And so very excited to see this trail and adventure!

[@peterfagley772]

I have recently watched several of my favorite UK KZbinrs hike this trail, really nice to discover you and husband are doing the same. Its probably one of the nicest hikes you will ever do, enjoy!!

[@LiNa-yl8qs]

Hi, could you recommend UK outdoor KZbinrs? I'd be highly interested! Thanks in advance!

[@peterfagley772]

There are many UK KZbinrs I can recommend: Kent Survival, Simon the Broke in the Woods, Fellmandave, Paul Messer, Andrew Park, to name my favorites in no particular order. They are honest, smart, offer excellent photography and very knowledgeable about their equipment and hiking/camping locations throughout the UK.

[@N0C0MPLY]

@@LiNa-yl8qs The Blot outdoors show is an absolute must!

[@0808anwar]

​@@LiNa-yl8qs if i may add, Pat Dickinson channel

[@betemp1]

hi dixie, i was 2 weeks befofe you on the trail. amazing.😊

[@EvaNichols28]

Thank you for sharing! ❤ So exciting to come along. I think you are inspiring me to put it on my list for next summer- I did the Camino in 2009 and loved it. Now I’m over 70, but I think this is still doable for me, especially since I can break it up in smaller distances and stay at inns etc. along the way. I’m excited to see how you progress as you get to the elevations. Enjoy and be gentle with yourself!

[@pyronymph-868]

That little frog🐸 looked just like our Pacific Tree Frogs! I have always wondered about my ancestry, having been adopted. I've been told I look Irish, and have the Celtic hair type. Can't wait to see the rest of this trip!

[@pppantz]

Baby is already an international traveler!

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

Trying to get it in his/her blood early 🙌🏻

[@joebeman8000]

Ha!!! I saw it! 0:50 Great video, especially the opening with The Proclaimers song. Perfect! I totally empathize about the PF. I've had mine for 6 months. It's VERY hard to get rid of! Good luck to Rodney. I hope he get's relief soon.

[@RustyMisterTwo]

The West Highland way was our first long distance hike in 2019. We watched your PCT videos to get an idea of how to prepare and what to pack. Ofcourse it is nothing like the PCT but it was a start nonetheless. We planned the PCT for the next year but COVID delayed us untill 2022. Due to forest fires we couldnt make it the last 20 miles to the monument at the end so we still have to go back to "finish" it. You are a real inspiration to us. Heading to Scotland this summer to hike part of the cape wrath trail and the Skye trail.

[@deadkennedy9140]

It's great to have you in us :)

[@jayclay1]

I hiked the West highland way a few years back, had a great time.

[@Logintoourlife]

Skin so soft is an other good one against the little devils. Have a good hike, Terri and Stephen.

[@GMiller75]

Aww welcome to our bonnie Scotland. You are gonna love this trail. Take the high route along loch lomond. It will be much easier for you with you being pregnant.There is a vantage point on the high route that overlooks the loch.

[@equanimity4lifelonglearnin216]

I absolutely love how you capture the beauty and the hard work and talking to animals.. all the things I love about hiking!

[@davidsykes5635]

Welcome to the UK ! 🌈

[@debrahall902]

'Thank you from The Netherlands

[@산림치유]

멋진 하이킹 영상을 통해 스코틀랜드의 자연풍경을 볼 수 있어 기쁨니다. 몸과 마음의 힐링을 위한 멋진 영상 감사합니다.

[@derekhughes4028]

Can’t wait to watch these episodes.

[@daenathedreamy9053]

Steak Pie is the best food for a hiker's hunger and I LOVE having it when we're in the UK.

[@peteredwardcox]

Visited Scotland when I was 18, right after graduating high school, to visit my sister who was studying in Stirling for a semester. She had American friends who played in a band there who always opened their gigs with "And now, the Scottish national anthem" before playing "500 miles".

[@TheMcspreader]

That was brave. The Proclaimers have a mixed reception in Scotland with many thinking they're a cod Scottish pastiche and are the musical equivalent of a shortbread tin.

[@vinniedayhikerb4977]

BACK ON TRAIL!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤

[@RodMurray]

Will be watching every moment of your adventure! We walked the WHW one year ago this month and had incredibly hot and sunny conditions, by Scottish standards, all 8 days. When you get to Loch Lomond you will have to make a big decision- Upper or Lower! Either way, enjoy the journey!

[@TheMcspreader]

If you mean the Conic Hill then there isn't a real choice. Some of the best views on the whole Way although I expect by the time we watch this Jessica is back in Alabama chuckling at the comments.

[@RodMurray]

@@TheMcspreaderI bet she is chuckling! But I meant beyond Rowardennan where there’s a choice to be Loch side or on the upper forestry road.

[@aileengum6333]

​@RodMurray which do you recommend?

[@RodMurray]

@@aileengum6333 We took the high route which is, they say, easier on the body, especially “older” knees. One in our group had knee issues which certainly had a bearing on our decision. The low route is much more technical I was told.

[@BafMilr052]

Haggis. “We’re here for it. We want to see it.” 😂 So happy to watch another trail vlog from Dixie. Missed these!

[@arionisonlineleeirlhookert3757]

Yeah! Dixie back on trail! Excited to follow all 2.5 of you!

[@sylviabos4196]

So cool!! Because of you I started hiking. All of your hikes are on my to-do-list. And now, for the first time, you’re doing a hike I did last year! Have fun and enjoy! Greeting from the Netherlands!

[@OldfieldSo]

Welcome to Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@bateptesicus]

Scotland, my beloved land!❤ I will be doing WHW this august!

[@jungggledave]

Welcome to the UK. It’s strange to watch you walking a trail I know well. The scenery gets better day by day.

[@unixpro2]

Hello from Ohio, I’m jealous. I love Scotland and hope to return there someday.

[@judithpearson3968]

Great to see you and Rodney out hiking the West Highland Way in Scotland. Never seen any of the country, so I am looking forward to this hike. I think the Hiking Rev is finishing up his trek in Ireland, so those videos should start soon too. I'm loving it. Hang in there. Your body will get used to it. Take care. Stay safe. See you tomorrow.

[@TheWanderingStone]

Perfect timing! I'll be starting my walk on the 15th of July and these videos will surely be helpful to me!

[@vailpcs4040]

OMG!! Glengoyne (valley of the wild geese)! I was there in 2016. It's the Southernmost Highlands distillery and the road in front of it is the legal demarcation between Highlands and Lowlands. They distill on one side of the road and age on the other. That's awesome! Edit: Haggis is delicious.

[@PlantPapaJohn]

Looks amazing! I Look forward to watching.

[@955lamar]

Thanks Dixie. Great video. My wife and I, and another couple are hiking inn to inn September 1-9. We booked with Hillwalk Tours.

[@kiltedpiper98]

We did the W. Highland Way for honeymoon over 25 years ago. I look forward to the rest of the series.

[@alangauld6079]

Nice to have you in my neck of the woods. The weather this year has been very cool and wet so I hope it didn't spoil your trip. I look forward to the rest of the videos.

[@Celairiel]

Thank you for sharing these shorter big trails. I've gone back and forth on how much I want to do a major through that takes months and seeing these great other options is inspiring.

[@tbusterutube]

Awesome. If you guys come to Idaho let us know.

[@jimmyjenkins9240]

This is exciting! Happy to see you out on the trail and it’s great to see Rodney with you! It will be interesting to see what you discover about your Scottishness!

[@chriscon8463]

Cool video! It looks like you had a great time there. In college, we had a Scottish festival every year & I tried haggis. It was actually not bad!

[@cindyobrien9794]

I look forward to your vlog. I dream of doing WHW, I am 68. I think I could do it, slowly.

[@stattravels8109]

We LOVE Scotland and did some hiking too. Loved your video!

[@DartmoorPaul]

Welcome to UK Dixie & I think you’ve chosen a lovely trail. Interestingly Im watching HuckWasHere, whom I followed on PCT, hiking towards you sobo on the West Highland Way trail this week😊 Happy Hiking 🙂

[@BeeAFinch]

Have a great time! I walked the way twice and can not wait to do it again❤

[@lauriekern-gk3im]

Have a wonderful time. I did the Speyside Way, The Dava Way, and part of the Moray Way as a big loop 2 + years ago. Enjoy the food, Scotch, and the midges.

[@28105wsking]

Great video! Tip: plan a rest day at the begining and end of each trip for recovery.

[@CrimeVid]

to be followed by a deep fried Mars Bar, or two !

[@28105wsking]

Yes!

[@verdexj160]

Genealogy, good to hear others care about where they come from.

[@InkcredibleScribbles]

Four years ago you inspired me to walk the West Highland Way. Best week of my life! It's wonderful to see you in the UK walking this trail. I've since had two babies and, gosh, can't imagine doing it pregnant! Take care of yourself and avoid the midges ...!

[@amberbydreamsart5467]

So exciting!! I’m doing a regular vacation in England and wales right now myself! I hope to do the WHW myself either next year or the year after in April - I’m a warm natured girl so I’m hoping the chiller weather and lower crowds will make it a perfect time for me. I absolutely love the views of the British countryside - the treeless rolling hills is something I’d never seen quite like this before and I think it’s so charming. It’s fun to do a long trail where you stroll through cute little towns, too

[@PSnGa]

Can't wait to see more of this one! Would absolutely love to do this trail one day. Might even could talk the wife into this. PLEASE make it look awesome (what am I saying. You always make the trails look awesome!!) 🥰

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

You should!

[@marksisson7468]

On the trail again! Thank you! Our hiking is on hold as we are now full time caregivers for aging parents. We’ll get our hiking fix through you…for now!

[@isabelledrolet4297]

The Proclaimers at the start, brilliant! That song, plus the fact that they're Scottish... so spot on!

[@malachitemoondance1086]

I love that you are visiting Scotland and the UK ❤️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🇬🇧. I hope you all have a lovely time. 🐑 🐏 🐑

[@taylormatson6281]

I did the WHW back in 2019 and it was the first multiday hike I ever did. I've been watching your videos for years now and am so excited to finally have a trail in common with you. So nostalgic to be seeing this trail again through your footage!

[@lauraeinsalo7812]

All the feels! I did this trail back in 2019 as my first ever solo hike and it was AWESOME! Wet and muddy at times but pure awesomeness.

[@veinberga]

It's so exiting! I started following you few years ago when I was backpacking in USA. I think you were doing PCT at the time. For the last few years I am now living in Scotland, Tyndrum, which you will be passing!! 🎉 Do you know when you will be passing it? I work in Green Welly Stop (most hikers stop here - we have food, drink, laundry machines and outdoor store full with blister plasters 😄). It would be really great to meet you! I owe you big thanks for incouraging me to go outdoors! 😊

[@inthehouse1960]

Awe. This brought tears to my eyes. I hope you are able to meet up. Blessings.

[@anotherother]

Graham and Andre play the Volunteers Arms in Fort William pretty often, definatly worth catching, saw em 3 times last autumn.Also think the Ben Nevis bar has live music on Tuesdays too. Enjoy your wanders

[@raythompson1976]

Wow, must have just missed you on the trail - was walking WHW as part of Landend to John o'Groats trail...

[@tomellis3218]

This flog posting hiking in Scotland is amazing . ❤😊

[@jamesonstalanthasyu]

I hope we get a gear list from you two later on.

[@robyncroft1112]

Enjoy. I walked the WHW this spring.

[@Buszkraftowski]

A few years ago I had the dream to walk the WHW. The WHW is Scotland in a nutshell. A lot of typical Scottish culture and landscape can be experienced a long the way. This dream helped me to get fit and more active to be able to walk this trail. In 2023 I finally made my dream come true and I fell in love with Scotland. Thx for this video, it brought back many good memories. "My heart's in the Highlands!" (Robert Burns)

[@sf808yt]

I'm literally a few days back from my second time doing this walk. For two whole days I had "500 Miles" stuck in my head!

[@djbreakfast]

My first ever thru hike was the WHW a few years ago and a lot of the prep I did was by watching your videos Dixie!! What a full circle experience 💞🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@schadowolf]

Looking forward to following your latest your journey on West Highland Way!

[@rjhikes6248]

I love the way Aaron put your logo on the start monument. Have fun y’all! 🥰👍

[@ForrixTV]

Glad to see you do the whw My shop isn't far from the start and I actually had an invasion of small frogs that was equally hilarious as it was terrifying. Looking forward to bingeing atb

[@diddums86]

Now I feel sad and nostalgic. Never walked the Highland trail, but I lived in Edinburgh a few decades back. Good times. Could someone add a list of the soundtrack, please? What's the second piece, the classical one? It's beautiful!

[@sfchaney]

Your videos are very timely for me. I am from Arkansas and will be starting my WHW hike on August 22. Looking forward to it, when i get done with the WHW i plan to hike over from Ft. William to Skye and do the Skye Trail. Following your always great videos with eager anticipation for my own hike. Take care and may the Lord watch over every foot placement.

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

Welcome to the UK Expect Rain and maybe some snow. Yes the midges are a stuff off nightmares, but I'm sure you will find that out for yourself. Apart from all that I know you will have a great time and will love beautiful Scotland.

[@joshubrook324]

& hail / sun/ hell & high water and everything in between … if you don’t like the weather just wait half hr it’s bound to change 😂

[@mollziki]

Welcome to Scotland!! I hope you get some decent weather on your hike, it hasn't been the best lately but that's Scotland for you! The west highland way can be deceptively hard on the feet - it's not a technically difficult hike but because it is mostly on a hard surface it makes your feet sore!

[@fishngolf2]

Best wishes! ❤❤

[@andrewhowie4217]

Great to see the beginning of this journey for you all, completed it last September. I'll look forward to watching the rest. Atb

[@garrygillies8657]

Welcome to Scotland!! Hope you enjoy/ enjoyed the walk 😃

[@47CarolAnne]

Super excited for you! This is on my bucket list!

[@tomgroenbeck7620]

I love the weather. Everything is lush and green. I'm living in CA now for 19 years, we had the last rain (sprinkle) sometimes in April. Everything is bone dry and dusty, can't wait for the next rain.

[@ShanOutdoors]

Your video made me so nostalgic for my own walks of the WHW. Such a wonderful place with amazing people! Have a wonderful time! It’s truly a walk to remember!

[@grumble2009]

Thanks for all of the Proclaimers music :)

[@2wheels2feet]

Great to see you guys in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 I walked the WHW in 2022 and I picked up a lot great tips on trail walking from your channel 👍 have a great trip and enjoy the scenery 😊🏔️ ☀️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸

[@CChao-ev9gz]

Finished it one month ago🥳 only two days in rain! Beautiful

[@Bowlin01]

Awesome! Great to see you this side of the pond, I hope both your's and Rodney's aches & pains cleared up. 👍. Stay healthy, hope your pregnancy goes well

[@judithwood2179]

Welcome to Scotland. I've been looking forward to watching you on this trail.

[@austinbrown709]

Thanks!

[@melonydodson8725]

Aw man, this trail has been on my "list" for years! So looking forward to following your journey! And you are so inspiring, taking this on at 6 months pregnant! I hope that Rodney's foot gets better and that your body is able to adjust to hiking while growing a human! 😉

[@christineb8148]

Gorgeous! I am excited for this series! I hope the aches and pains let up on y'all a bit and you were able to enjoy it.

[@FlipperNS]

I don't know about the haggis but definitely try all the scotches and Walkers Cheese & Onion crisps!

[@diannegolubski6645]

oh, this is gonna be awesome. Love Scotland. Definitely on my bucket list.

[@thomasfenlon2363]

good to see you all back on trail. your videos are more artistic than others on youtube

[@Berry_N]

Kinda funny that just this morning I watched Huck Was Here finish where you just started. Enjoy the hike!