West Highland Way, Start

The start of the West Highland Way sits in Stirling, a proper gateway to the Scottish highlands. There's a stone marker here that's become something of a pilgrimage point for walkers attempting the full 96-mile route to Fort William. It's not much to look at - a modest plaque really - but the significance hits you when you realise thousands pass through this spot every year, many of them about to embark on one of Britain's most rewarding long-distance walks.

This is fundamentally a waypoint rather than a destination in itself. Most people pause for a photo, check their kit one last time, and then disappear into the first stretch towards Drymen. The real appeal comes if you're planning the full hike. Starting here means you've got the walking infrastructure sorted, the route is well-marked throughout, and accommodation is abundant along the way.

If you're basing yourself in Glasgow, it's close enough for a morning trip to tick off the ceremonial start before heading back. The WHW Hotel & Campsite sits just 3.4 miles away, making it ideal if you want to do this walk in sections rather than one go. That's actually a sensible approach - breaks the journey into digestible chunks without losing momentum.

Not worth a special trip on its own, but absolutely worth stopping at if you're in Stirling or planning the walk proper. Day-trippers from Glasgow can make an afternoon of it, combining the marker with some exploration of Stirling itself before the long drive home.