Milngavie:
the official start location
Milngavie is the starting point of the West Highland Way and is easily accessible from Glasgow, which is just a short distance away.
Here are the main ways to get to Milngavie:
1. By Train
From Glasgow City Centre:
Train Station: Glasgow Queen Street Station Low Level (Main station for trains to Milngavie).
Train Route: Take the Glasgow to Milngavie train (on the North Clyde Line).
Duration: The journey takes around 20-25 minutes.
Frequency: Trains run regularly throughout the day, typically every 15-30 minutes.
Cost: A one-way ticket usually costs £2.50 to £4, depending on the time of day and any available discounts. Tickets can be booked via Scotrail.
2. By Bus
From Glasgow City Centre:
You can take a bus from Glasgow's Buchanan Bus Station to Milngavie, though this route is less common than the train.
Duration: The bus journey will take around 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic.
Cost: A one-way bus fare is typically around £3 to £5. Tickets can be booked via Citylink.
3. By Car
Driving Directions:
Milngavie is around 8 miles (12 km) north of Glasgow. The easiest route is to take the A81 from Glasgow.
Driving Time: It typically takes around 20-30 minutes to drive to Milngavie, depending on traffic.
Parking: There are public car parks in Milngavie, some near the train station, where you can leave your car if you prefer to drive to the start. An early arrival is recommended to guarantee a space.
4. From Glasgow International Airport
If you're flying into Glasgow International Airport and want to reach Milngavie:
By Taxi: A taxi from the airport to Milngavie will take around 25-30 minutes and cost approximately £25-£35.
By Bus: You can also take an airport shuttle bus to Glasgow City Centre, then transfer to a train or bus to Milngavie.
Fort william:
the official end location
Fort William, the endpoint of the West Highland Way, is well-connected by train, bus, and car, making it relatively easy to reach from various locations in Scotland. Here’s how you can get there:
1. By Train
From Glasgow to Fort William:
Train Station: Depart from Glasgow Queen Street Station.
Train Route: Take the Scotrail West Highland Line, which goes directly to Fort William.
Duration: The train journey takes around 4 to 4.5 hours.
Frequency: Trains typically run once or twice a day, but service may be more frequent during the summer months.
Cost: The fare varies, but typically costs around £20 to £40 for a one-way ticket, depending on booking time and any discounts.
2. By Bus
From Glasgow to Fort William:
Bus Station: Depart from Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station.
Bus Route: The Citylink bus service operates routes from Glasgow to Fort William.
Duration: The journey takes around 3.5 to 4 hours.
Frequency: Buses run regularly, typically 2 to 3 times per day.
Cost: A one-way ticket typically costs between £15 to £25, depending on the time of booking and availability.
3. By Car
Driving Directions:
The drive from Glasgow to Fort William takes around 3 hours. The most direct route is via the M8 motorway to A82.
From Glasgow, head west on the M8 towards Paisley, then take the A82 north, passing through Loch Lomond, Tyndrum, and Ballachulish, before arriving in Fort William.
Distance: The distance is around 100 miles (160 km).
Parking: Fort William has several car parks, both near the town center and close to the train station, where you can park your car.
4. From Inverness to Fort William
If you're coming from Inverness (northeast Scotland), Fort William is about 66 miles (106 km) to the southwest.
By Train: You can take a train from Inverness Station to Fort William, which takes around 2 hours.
By Bus: The bus journey from Inverness to Fort William typically takes around 2 hours and costs about £10 to £20.
By Car: Driving from Inverness takes about 1.5 to 2 hours via the A82 road.
5. By Air (via Inverness Airport)
The nearest airport to Fort William is Inverness Airport (about 65 miles away).
From Inverness Airport, you can take a train to Inverness, then a bus to Fort William, or drive directly.
Travel Time: The drive from Inverness Airport to Fort William takes around 1.5 hours.
