28/10/23 – Early bird catches the worm allegedly. Due to parenting duties I had to get out extra early so alarm set for 6am. Meant I started in the dark and that’s not good when tired. The route starts from the start of the WHW in Milngavie. 1km, first hill, I didn’t lift my feet and tripped over a rock that decided to attack me. Hit the deck and that woke me up. Grazed knee but more importantly the brand new top survived. Along the WHW all the way to Glengoyne distillery and daylight had arrived. My limbs were now slightly safer from falling. At this point it is time to leave the WHW (before reaching the Beech Tree Inn) and head over the stile and up the grass hill to the pipe track.
The option is to add Dumgoyne hill in at the point but unfortunately I didn’t have time. Right turn and along the pipe track back to Blanefield. This is where the krypton factor gates can be found. The conundrum of how to open each one. Entering Blanefield at St Kesogs church it’s a sharp right then left down and then right onto the Gary Wright Way and the horse fields. There is a split and it’s right and up the hill to the track. I usually go straight over but the option is to turn right and head through Craigallian woods. I went straight over and through the beautiful highland cow fields. They just stand there and look at you like you’re crazy. They are right.
Final part is across the road and into Mugdock. From here there are lots of different options back to Milngavie but I opted for round the reservoir and then Drumclog moor back into Milngavie. Boom 25km done before 10am. I hadn’t planned my fuelling so had to go with what I had…a flapjack, chocolate eclairs and Dextrose. Luckily got home to find my VOOM Nutrition delivery had arrived and then I popped into the newly opened West End Outdoors shop for some Torq bars. All set for my ultra in a few weeks. Now back to parenting with a mixture of swimming and hockey.
The pipe track links Blanefield to Killearn and is a great trail for walking, running and biking. It can be done in a loop by linking with the West Highland Way (like I did) or an out and back. Can also head up Dumgoyne hill and the Campsies from the track.
