📌 Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire
★★★
This varied, circular ramble connects the commuter town of Milngavie with the rural village of Strathblane, largely using a combination of three “ways”: the iconic West Highland Way, the newish John Muir Way and the (much shorter) Gary Wright Way. The nearby backwater hamlet of Mugdock lies just off the circuit but gives its name to many of the main highlights: Mugdock Country Park, Mugdock Castle, Mugdock Loch, Mugdock Reservoir, Mugdock Wood… you get the picture. There are excellent views of the Campsie Fells from the northern parts of the loop, while rivers and lochs are the main visual interest further south.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Milngavie & start of the West Highland Way 
Floor map in Milngavie 
Viewpoint in Allander Park 
Allander Water in Mugdock Wood 
West Highland Way beyond Scroggy Hill 
Craigallian Loch 
West Highland Way above Craigallian Loch 
Dumgoyach (left) & Dumgoyne (right) from north of Easter Carbeth 
Pond by the Blane Water, Campsie Fells beyond 
Gary Wright Way 
Blanefield, Strathblane from Cuilt Brae 
Gowk Stane, John Muir Way 
Carglas Plantation 
Mugdock Country Park Visitor Centre 
Craigend Castle 
Woodland path in Mugdock Country Park 
Mugdock Castle 
Mugdock Loch 
South end of the country park 
Path south towards Mugdock Reservoir 
Mugdock Reservoir 
Path along Mugdock Reservoir 
Bridge between Mudock & Craigmaddie reservoirs 
Tannoch Burn
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at the official start of the West Highland Way, Douglas Street, Milngavie town centre. Alternative start points at Mugdock Country Park, Strathblane or on return route through Milngavie
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NS 553744
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.941426,-4.317851
🚌 Bus / train to Milngavie
🚗 Car park (charge) on Mugdock Road – or free parking at alternative start points
📝 Key info
▶ 19 km / 12 mi | ▲ 320 m | ⌛ 4.5-5.5 hr
Features: 🏠 Milngavie; 💧 Allander Water; 💧 Craigallian Loch; 💧 Blane Water; 🏠 Strathblane; ⛰️ Gowk Stane; 🌳 Mugdock Country Park & Castle ★★★ (& various other sights); 💧 Mugdock & Craigmaddie reservoirs
⬤ Moderate | Wide paths & tracks almost throughout. Occasional rougher paths, steeper gradients & roadside sections.
Download file for GPS➡️ Clockwise circuit: start & Milngavie – West Highland Way to north of Easter Carbeth via Allander Water & Craigallian Loch – fork right to East Arlehaven – Blanefield via north then south bank of Blane Water – south side of Strathblane via Gary Wright Way – Cuilt Brae & Gowk Stane via John Muir Way – Carglas Plantation – Mugdock Country Park (visitor centre, Craigend Castle, Mugdock Castle, Mugdock Loch) – east side of Mugdock Reservoir – west side of Craigmaddie Reservoir – Barloch Moor / Tannoch Burn in Milngavie suburbs – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Loch life: mute swans & cygnets, goosanders, tufted ducks, mallards, little grebes, moorhens, gulls, fish. Elsewhere: cows, horses, buzzards, butterflies, hairy caterpillars.
Weather: About 20°C, mostly sunny, almost windless.
August 2022
