Hiking Without Supervision

I decided after lazing about and visiting for several days (ok I was a little unwell during that time), I knew I had to keep moving or my experience on the Pennines was going to be terrible. I was already worried about the hills being more difficult than the Cotswold. So I decided to walk from one side of Scotland to the other, Glasgow to Edinburgh, along the Forth and Clyde canal.

Finally feeling good enough to get out and walk, I got up super early and packed a really small pack. The morning in Dundee was beautiful. Sun was shining and skies were clear as I took the train from Dundee to Bowling (about 15 miles west of Glasgow).

As I transferred trains in Glasgow, there were several people getting on the train to Milngavie (pronounced Mulguy) with packs ready to tackle the West Highland Way I’m sure. The train didn’t take long to get to Bowling but the clouds started coming in and and had me worried as they were getting bigger and darker.

My initial thoughts on Bowling was a bit shaky, but it went from derelict to superb in no time flat. Weather started out great for hiking but I was keeping an eye on those clouds. The canal path was wide and paved which helped me make great time into Clydebank. Time for tea and a pee and then start heading slightly north on the canal to Glasgow.

It amazes me how this canal winds through all the different housing estates yet still supports wildlife, even though some people use it as a dumping ground.

After about 10 miles of canal walking, the rain drove me off the trail and into a hotel in Glasgow. Promptly took a nap, then got supplies for the next day, had some soup then bed (again).