I’ve found a better route joining the Forth and Clyde Canal to Milngavie and the start of the West Highland Way. This is a suggested alternative route for anyone who wants to walk the whole of the WHW rather than joining it a few miles from its start on the main End to End route. My original route for this is on page 264 of the 2nd and 3rd editions of the End to End Trail. Many thanks to Jack Vine for pointing out that Balmuildy Road is a bit of a rat run: a narrow road with blind corners, no pavement, and sometimes a lot of traffic. The following alternative route is no further, and avoids Balmuildy Road.
Via Milngavie
The recommended route of the End to End Trail misses out the first few kilometres of the West Highland Way. If you want to walk the whole of the WHW, then this alternative, between Kirkintilloch and Drymen via Milngavie, where the WHW starts, is recommended. It adds 7km in distance, of which about 2km is on roads.
From Kirkintilloch, keep on the Forth and Clyde Canal towpath for another 9km towards Glasgow (Day 45 Map 1). You will pass the stables at Glasgow Bridge (now a restaurant), another bridge carrying the A807, then another at Cadder (church on right). The next bridge is Balmuildy Road. Stay on the towpath for another 2km to where two sets of power lines cross the canal (NS 588 704). Immediately after this a metal post on the right marks the start of a grassy track (easy to miss if you’re not looking out for it). Follow the track away from the canal, turn left on the access road at Lochfauld Farm then turn right along the A879. There is a pavement all the way down to a bridge over the River Kelvin. Cross the bridge, then immediately turn right off the road to follow the Kelvin Walkway, a waymarked path by the river. After 1km the River Allander joins from the left – the waymarked route follows the Allander all the way to the centre of Milngavie and the start of the West Highland Way. Follow the West Highland Way to Carbeth, where the main route of the End to End Trail joins it.