We rose early and made our way to Malgevie and the start of the West Highland Way, our 96 miles (154 Km) hike from Milngavie to Fort William which promised a huge variety of scenery along the way, from countryside parks to loch shores and open moorlands to steep mountains. Needless to say, we were pretty pumped. In the excitement in the morning Katrine even managed to nick a six inch kitchen knife from the hostel… Maybe to protect herself from wild beasts and midgies along the hike.

I was very happy to leave the car and all the driving behind and feel my trusty rucksack against my back. We made our way to the starting point and after a quick pitstop for obligatory photographs and a coffee, we were off!

The first day wasn’t strenuous as expected, but the scenery was lovely. We got to Drymen late evening with sore feet but were entranced by the beautiful little village.

‘Kip in the Kirk’ was our home for the night, a beautiful converted church. It was nice inside and out. The owner was ‘quirky’ to say the least… helpful and strict in equal measure.

We went to the local pub for some great beer (so much of it over here, well worth the trip on its own) and then on to a lovely little restaurant before retiring for the evening in our ‘churchy’ bunkhouse.