Introduction To The West Highland Way 2024

Рет қаралды 27,944

Күн бұрын

West Highland Way Episode 1, Milngavie to Drymen
Hey y'all! The WIFI hasn't been quite fast enough here on the West Highland Way to upload ALL my footage every night, but we'll start posting the rest of the hike in a few days. For now I want to go ahead and show you the first day on the trail and give you a little information about the trail. The West Highland Way opened in 1980 as the first officially designated long-distance footpath in Scotland. In 2010 it became the first European Trail added to the International Appalachian Trail. I've had this trail on my radar for a few years now, and it seemed like the perfect thru-hike to attempt while 6 months pregnant. It's been a beautiful trail so far and I can't wait to share the rest with you!
00:00 Getting to the Terminus
00:44 Starting the Trail
01:19 Some Info About The West Highland Way
02:11 Day One of Hiking
07:29 Aches and Pains
08:16 Scottish Ancestry
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Пікірлер: 208

@Sakrysta Күн бұрын

That opening music sting immediately had me grinning! 🥰

@inthehouse1960 6 күн бұрын

I love the Scottish people. Whenever I travel to the UK, I can't wait to get to Scotland and start joking and laughing with the Scotts. I've traveled all over the world and Scotland is my 'heart place'. I hope you make some great memories there that will last a lifetime. Blessings.

@bernardlyons2422 6 күн бұрын

The only tune you could possibly start with. Brilliant.

@celinelia8127 3 күн бұрын

@bernardlyons2422 what about bagpipes?!

@bernardlyons2422 3 күн бұрын

@@celinelia8127 Well it could have started with “Scotland The Brave”, but that would have been a cliche.

@sbc1t Күн бұрын

@@celinelia8127 Its a walking Song . that's why she used it .

@28105wsking 6 күн бұрын

Its so nice to see the Dearly Beloved walking with you. You are not alone anymore! You are with the whole famdamnbly! Have a wonderful fun time!

@traveller9625 6 күн бұрын

Glad to see you in your happy place and with family. Two walkin and one ridin

@Lynx5371 Күн бұрын

My daughter and husband moved to Milngavie from Nashville with then only grandchild. The second was born there. They had to come back during the pandemic. We all loved Scotland and was sad that they had to leave. My husband hiked the whole AT and walked from Milngavie to Loch Lomond and back during his only 2 week trip. He then drove with my son-in- law to Fort Williams and climbed Ben Nevis. I plan to take a couple of my friends to Milngavie next summer. It was fun for me because during their time there, I was there for about 12 weeks total. I was really able to get a real feel of daily Scottish life. I made some great friendships there through my daughter.

@jimdrude 6 күн бұрын

Welcome to Scotland. Hope you enjoy our wee country so much that you come again. And again!

@pppantz 6 күн бұрын

Baby is already an international traveler!

@HomemadeWanderlust 6 күн бұрын

Trying to get it in his/her blood early 🙌🏻

@Buszkraftowski Күн бұрын

A few years ago I had the dream to walk the WHW. The WHW is Scotland in a nutshell. A lot of typical Scottish culture and landscape can be experienced a long the way. This dream helped me to get fit and more active to be able to walk this trail. In 2023 I finally made my dream come true and I fell in love with Scotland. Thx for this video, it brought back many good memories. "My heart's in the Highlands!" (Robert Burns)

@equanimity4lifelonglearnin216 Күн бұрын

I absolutely love how you capture the beauty and the hard work and talking to animals.. all the things I love about hiking!

@h.b.4058 6 күн бұрын

My (then 85 years old) Dad and I did the WHW in 2022. I hope you love it as much as we did. We had literally every type of weather, but it was all worth it. ❤❤

@WainwrightWalksWiaLocalLad 6 күн бұрын

Welcome to the UK!

@Mark8v29 6 күн бұрын

Wellcome to the UK! Have you looked at doing all the peaks of the Lake District in Cumbria or possibly the Bob Graham round? Walking all the 200+ peaks in the Lake District commonly called the Wainwright fells is arguable the most famous hiking in all of the UK and on the bucket list of all British hikers and for an experienced US thru-hiker walking all the peaks in one round in three or more weeks would possibly be the crown of UK hiking in arguably the top two of three scenic regions of the UK. There are other routes such as LEJOG or routes in Scotland or Ireland or walking one of the many long distance routes in the UK, but an all encompassing route in Scotland would be near impossible but all all encompassing route in the Lake District would be very possible. The Lake District is arguably the Switzerland of the UK. And then there is the thru-hike across Switzerland itself from East to West or visa versa. I did the middle most scenic third and it's very impressive. Still New Zealand is the most impressive place I have hiked, which doesn't remove a round of the Wainwright fells from an international hikers bucket list!

@christinejackson8542 6 күн бұрын

I'm in Decatur Alabama and thinking about Ya'll !!! U are amazing hiking like this at 6 mths pregnant. U go girl !!!

@s.s.2048 6 күн бұрын

Will find the Scottish people incredibly hospitable no matter what. If you mention that you and Rodney have Scottish ancestors you will find people asking if you need a ride, buying you lunch, you name it. They/we never forget our own.

@jimb0wie 6 күн бұрын

That’s pretty cool that you’re here in the UK hiking right now. :)

@sheilam5991 6 күн бұрын

Thankful you are doing this with your husband. And so very excited to see this trail and adventure!

@vinniedayhikerb4977 6 күн бұрын

BACK ON TRAIL!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤

@tomellis3218 Күн бұрын

This flog posting hiking in Scotland is amazing . ❤😊

@betemp1 6 күн бұрын

hi dixie, i was 2 weeks befofe you on the trail. amazing.😊

@EvaNichols28 6 күн бұрын

Thank you for sharing! ❤ So exciting to come along. I think you are inspiring me to put it on my list for next summer- I did the Camino in 2009 and loved it. Now I’m over 70, but I think this is still doable for me, especially since I can break it up in smaller distances and stay at inns etc. along the way. I’m excited to see how you progress as you get to the elevations. Enjoy and be gentle with yourself!

@jayclay1 6 күн бұрын

I hiked the West highland way a few years back, had a great time.

@peteredwardcox 6 күн бұрын

Visited Scotland when I was 18, right after graduating high school, to visit my sister who was studying in Stirling for a semester. She had American friends who played in a band there who always opened their gigs with "And now, the Scottish national anthem" before playing "500 miles".

@TheMcspreader 6 күн бұрын

That was brave. The Proclaimers have a mixed reception in Scotland with many thinking they're a cod Scottish pastiche and are the musical equivalent of a shortbread tin.

@arionisonlineleeirlhookert3757 4 күн бұрын

Yeah! Dixie back on trail! Excited to follow all 2.5 of you!

@RustyMisterTwo 6 күн бұрын

The West Highland way was our first long distance hike in 2019. We watched your PCT videos to get an idea of how to prepare and what to pack. Ofcourse it is nothing like the PCT but it was a start nonetheless. We planned the PCT for the next year but COVID delayed us untill 2022. Due to forest fires we couldnt make it the last 20 miles to the monument at the end so we still have to go back to "finish" it. You are a real inspiration to us. Heading to Scotland this summer to hike part of the cape wrath trail and the Skye trail.

@joebeman8000 6 күн бұрын

Ha!!! I saw it! 0:50 Great video, especially the opening with The Proclaimers song. Perfect! I totally empathize about the PF. I've had mine for 6 months. It's VERY hard to get rid of! Good luck to Rodney. I hope he get's relief soon.

@davidsykes5635 6 күн бұрын

Welcome to the UK ! 🌈

@unixpro2 5 күн бұрын

Hello from Ohio, I’m jealous. I love Scotland and hope to return there someday.

@pyronymph-868 6 күн бұрын

That little frog🐸 looked just like our Pacific Tree Frogs! I have always wondered about my ancestry, having been adopted. I've been told I look Irish, and have the Celtic hair type. Can't wait to see the rest of this trip!

@derekhughes4028 6 күн бұрын

Can’t wait to watch these episodes.

@deadkennedy9140 6 күн бұрын

It's great to have you in us :)

@peterfagley772 6 күн бұрын

I have recently watched several of my favorite UK KZfaqrs hike this trail, really nice to discover you and husband are doing the same. Its probably one of the nicest hikes you will ever do, enjoy!!

@LiNa-yl8qs 6 күн бұрын

Hi, could you recommend UK outdoor KZfaqrs? I'd be highly interested! Thanks in advance!

@peterfagley772 5 күн бұрын

There are many UK KZfaqrs I can recommend: Kent Survival, Simon the Broke in the Woods, Fellmandave, Paul Messer, Andrew Park, to name my favorites in no particular order. They are honest, smart, offer excellent photography and very knowledgeable about their equipment and hiking/camping locations throughout the UK.

@N0C0MPLY 5 күн бұрын

@@LiNa-yl8qs The Blot outdoors show is an absolute must!

@0808anwar 21 сағат бұрын

@@LiNa-yl8qs if i may add, Pat Dickinson channel

@sf808yt 5 күн бұрын

I'm literally a few days back from my second time doing this walk. For two whole days I had "500 Miles" stuck in my head!

@tbusterutube 6 күн бұрын

Awesome. If you guys come to Idaho let us know.

@OldfieldSo 6 күн бұрын

Welcome to Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@verdexj160 6 күн бұрын

Genealogy, good to hear others care about where they come from.

@daenathedreamy9053 3 күн бұрын

Steak Pie is the best food for a hiker's hunger and I LOVE having it when we're in the UK.

@2wheels2feet Күн бұрын

Great to see you guys in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 I walked the WHW in 2022 and I picked up a lot great tips on trail walking from your channel 👍 have a great trip and enjoy the scenery 😊🏔️ ☀️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸

@debrahall902 6 күн бұрын

'Thank you from The Netherlands

@Logintoourlife 6 күн бұрын

Skin so soft is an other good one against the little devils. Have a good hike, Terri and Stephen.

@rjhikes6248 2 күн бұрын

I love the way Aaron put your logo on the start monument. Have fun y’all! 🥰👍

@vailpcs4040 6 күн бұрын

OMG!! Glengoyne (valley of the wild geese)! I was there in 2016. It's the Southernmost Highlands distillery and the road in front of it is the legal demarcation between Highlands and Lowlands. They distill on one side of the road and age on the other. That's awesome! Edit: Haggis is delicious.

@cindyobrien9794 3 күн бұрын

I look forward to your vlog. I dream of doing WHW, I am 68. I think I could do it, slowly.

@chriscon8463 5 күн бұрын

Cool video! It looks like you had a great time there. In college, we had a Scottish festival every year & I tried haggis. It was actually not bad!

@28105wsking 6 күн бұрын

Great video! Tip: plan a rest day at the begining and end of each trip for recovery.

@CrimeVid 5 күн бұрын

to be followed by a deep fried Mars Bar, or two !

@28105wsking Күн бұрын

Yes!

@christineb8148 2 күн бұрын

Gorgeous! I am excited for this series! I hope the aches and pains let up on y'all a bit and you were able to enjoy it.

@missiravenne Күн бұрын

I love the addition of the Game of Thrones soundtrack music. Awesome choice!

@TicaHikes 3 күн бұрын

I live in The Netherlands and love hiking in Scotland. People are very friendly and chattie.

@kiltedpiper98 6 күн бұрын

We did the W. Highland Way for honeymoon over 25 years ago. I look forward to the rest of the series.

@alangauld6079 6 күн бұрын

Nice to have you in my neck of the woods. The weather this year has been very cool and wet so I hope it didn't spoil your trip. I look forward to the rest of the videos.

@Celairiel 6 күн бұрын

Thank you for sharing these shorter big trails. I've gone back and forth on how much I want to do a major through that takes months and seeing these great other options is inspiring.

@melonydodson8725 2 күн бұрын

Aw man, this trail has been on my "list" for years! So looking forward to following your journey! And you are so inspiring, taking this on at 6 months pregnant! I hope that Rodney's foot gets better and that your body is able to adjust to hiking while growing a human! 😉

@TheWanderingStone 6 күн бұрын

Perfect timing! I'll be starting my walk on the 15th of July and these videos will surely be helpful to me!

@BafMilr052 6 күн бұрын

Haggis. “We’re here for it. We want to see it.” 😂 So happy to watch another trail vlog from Dixie. Missed these!

@bateptesicus 6 күн бұрын

Scotland, my beloved land!❤ I will be doing WHW this august!

@RodMurray 6 күн бұрын

Will be watching every moment of your adventure! We walked the WHW one year ago this month and had incredibly hot and sunny conditions, by Scottish standards, all 8 days. When you get to Loch Lomond you will have to make a big decision- Upper or Lower! Either way, enjoy the journey!

@TheMcspreader 6 күн бұрын

If you mean the Conic Hill then there isn't a real choice. Some of the best views on the whole Way although I expect by the time we watch this Jessica is back in Alabama chuckling at the comments.

@RodMurray 6 күн бұрын

@@TheMcspreaderI bet she is chuckling! But I meant beyond Rowardennan where there’s a choice to be Loch side or on the upper forestry road.

@aileengum6333 4 күн бұрын

@RodMurray which do you recommend?

@RodMurray 4 күн бұрын

@@aileengum6333 We took the high route which is, they say, easier on the body, especially “older” knees. One in our group had knee issues which certainly had a bearing on our decision. The low route is much more technical I was told.

@sylviabos4196 6 күн бұрын

So cool!! Because of you I started hiking. All of your hikes are on my to-do-list. And now, for the first time, you’re doing a hike I did last year! Have fun and enjoy! Greeting from the Netherlands!

@jungggledave 6 күн бұрын

Welcome to the UK. It’s strange to watch you walking a trail I know well. The scenery gets better day by day.

@DartmoorPaul 6 күн бұрын

Welcome to UK Dixie & I think you’ve chosen a lovely trail. Interestingly Im watching HuckWasHere, whom I followed on PCT, hiking towards you sobo on the West Highland Way trail this week😊 Happy Hiking 🙂

@judithpearson3968 6 күн бұрын

Great to see you and Rodney out hiking the West Highland Way in Scotland. Never seen any of the country, so I am looking forward to this hike. I think the Hiking Rev is finishing up his trek in Ireland, so those videos should start soon too. I'm loving it. Hang in there. Your body will get used to it. Take care. Stay safe. See you tomorrow.

@PlantPapaJohn 6 күн бұрын

Looks amazing! I Look forward to watching.

@warbrain101 Күн бұрын

I’m so excited to see you’re in Scotland! I grew up in Milngavie, so really familiar with that first stretch of the west highland way 😊 hope you had an amazing time!

@judithwood2179 4 күн бұрын

Welcome to Scotland. I've been looking forward to watching you on this trail.

@JJ-mf8ru 5 күн бұрын

I’ve followed your channel for years! Would’ve loved to meet you on trail. My wife and I finished the WHW ten days before you started! All the best, Dixie!

@lauriekern-gk3im 6 күн бұрын

Have a wonderful time. I did the Speyside Way, The Dava Way, and part of the Moray Way as a big loop 2 + years ago. Enjoy the food, Scotch, and the midges.

@Berry_N 3 күн бұрын

Kinda funny that just this morning I watched Huck Was Here finish where you just started. Enjoy the hike!

@wanderingacademic9827 3 күн бұрын

This brings back memories of my own WHW in 2019. Enjoy!

@jimmyjenkins9240 6 күн бұрын

This is exciting! Happy to see you out on the trail and it’s great to see Rodney with you! It will be interesting to see what you discover about your Scottishness!

@stattravels8109 6 күн бұрын

We LOVE Scotland and did some hiking too. Loved your video!

@BeeAFinch 6 күн бұрын

Have a great time! I walked the way twice and can not wait to do it again❤

@thomasfenlon2363 4 күн бұрын

good to see you all back on trail. your videos are more artistic than others on youtube

@somedavechannel 6 күн бұрын

Sweet! Thanks!

@amberbydreamsart5467 6 күн бұрын

So exciting!! I’m doing a regular vacation in England and wales right now myself! I hope to do the WHW myself either next year or the year after in April - I’m a warm natured girl so I’m hoping the chiller weather and lower crowds will make it a perfect time for me. I absolutely love the views of the British countryside - the treeless rolling hills is something I’d never seen quite like this before and I think it’s so charming. It’s fun to do a long trail where you stroll through cute little towns, too

@sallyschmitz8048 5 күн бұрын

Can’t wait for the rest!

@MarufoVega 4 күн бұрын

I did this hike before the pandemic. Part of an arranged group. No rain, almost. Surprised by some nice dinners at the places we dined along the way. Bluebells out near the start. Toured the distillery. Fun time.

@LupeShoes 5 күн бұрын

I loved this walk. ❤️

@EatCarbs 6 күн бұрын

Thanks for the video

@GMiller75 Күн бұрын

Aww welcome to our bonnie Scotland. You are gonna love this trail. Take the high route along loch lomond. It will be much easier for you with you being pregnant.There is a vantage point on the high route that overlooks the loch.

@fishngolf2 6 күн бұрын

Best wishes! ❤❤

@47CarolAnne 6 күн бұрын

Super excited for you! This is on my bucket list!

@7951Aries 4 күн бұрын

Great tunes!

@robopecha Күн бұрын

loving the musics!

@Gambeli02 3 күн бұрын

For plantar fasciitis ... All the insoles available for it have a rise in the heel that supposedly relieves the pain. BUT, I found it made it worse. So I did the opposite -- I carved a 1/4" x 3/4" divot (length-wise) in the middle of the insole's heel. Now my heel slightly sinks. That brought instant relief!

@marksisson7468 6 күн бұрын

On the trail again! Thank you! Our hiking is on hold as we are now full time caregivers for aging parents. We’ll get our hiking fix through you…for now!

@robyncroft1112 6 күн бұрын

Enjoy. I walked the WHW this spring.

@janwaller3585 2 күн бұрын

Looks lovely there . Enjoy your hike ❤

@thomasheaney2087 4 күн бұрын

Good luck both of you

@jacobfogle 6 күн бұрын

I've been trying to hike that trail for years. So excited to see you get to do it.

@baothiletran-ef8zn 6 күн бұрын

thank you!

@산림치유 6 күн бұрын

멋진 하이킹 영상을 통해 스코틀랜드의 자연풍경을 볼 수 있어 기쁨니다. 몸과 마음의 힐링을 위한 멋진 영상 감사합니다.

@diannegolubski6645 4 күн бұрын

oh, this is gonna be awesome. Love Scotland. Definitely on my bucket list.

@FlipperNS 6 күн бұрын

I don't know about the haggis but definitely try all the scotches and Walkers Cheese & Onion crisps!

@chuckcolburn8931 5 күн бұрын

Will be glad to get your perspective on WHW, my son and I walked it last September

@tomgroenbeck7620 4 күн бұрын

I love the weather. Everything is lush and green. I'm living in CA now for 19 years, we had the last rain (sprinkle) sometimes in April. Everything is bone dry and dusty, can't wait for the next rain.

@msears101 6 күн бұрын

It is a wonderful hike. It is beautiful hike. I did it last fall.

@ShanOutdoors 6 күн бұрын

Your video made me so nostalgic for my own walks of the WHW. Such a wonderful place with amazing people! Have a wonderful time! It’s truly a walk to remember!

@anotherother 6 күн бұрын

Graham and Andre play the Volunteers Arms in Fort William pretty often, definatly worth catching, saw em 3 times last autumn.Also think the Ben Nevis bar has live music on Tuesdays too. Enjoy your wanders

@paisleyfamily5972 6 күн бұрын

This is great. The only thing better would be a comedic back and forth between your Alabama accent and a Scottish brogue.

@philwilson3251 6 күн бұрын

Welcome to Scotland. Hope the weather is kind to you. Happy trails.

@mollziki 6 күн бұрын

Welcome to Scotland!! I hope you get some decent weather on your hike, it hasn't been the best lately but that's Scotland for you! The west highland way can be deceptively hard on the feet - it's not a technically difficult hike but because it is mostly on a hard surface it makes your feet sore!