Destination Scotland!

[Sam Minnich]

I'm planning a trip to Scotland this summer, and wanted to ask if anyone knows of any good guidebooks for hiking/camping there, or if anyone has any good suggestions of locations. Thanks for the help!

[Ben P]

there are quite a few options for where to go. have a look for the tgo challenge, its an organised challenge walk where people walk across scotland. lots of info on the net, which includes where people have stayed and wild camped

[b hitchcock]

hi sam— west coast has best scenery and midges–try outdoorsmagic.com for help—regards from uk—ps check lindsay boyd for trip reports and great photos

[tom cole]

Hi, why not try "The Central Highlands, Six Long Distance Walks" by Peter D. Koch-Osborne published by Cicerone Guide. Its got some interesting long distace walks across country a bit off the beaten path.

[Diplomatic Mike]

How long do you have in Scotland? Are you looking for a base for day walks, or a multi-day walk? Do you want solitude, or more of a social walk with a pub every night?

[Sam Minnich]

We'll probably be there for about 2 weeks. The plan is to rent a car, and do lots of day hiking and overnighters, could be as long as 3 or 4 days. We'd love to do as much wild camping as possible. We're definitely more into solitude.

[Diplomatic Mike]

Folk have already suggested the West Coast, and that has some of the best scenery. Some of the mountains rise spectacularly from the sea. Fort William is the biggest town in the area, and there is plenty of cheap accomodation if you want a night indoors for a change. Plenty of places to re-stock on supplies. You could do a 3/4 day hike from there into an area called Knoydart. Also lots of day hikes in the area, including Glen Coe. The walks can be challenging ridge scrambling, or pleasant valley walks.

Another base could be farther east in the Aviemore area. This is in the Cairngorms NP, and there is plenty of scope for a 3/4 day hike. The terrain here is different from the west coast, and is made up of high, bare plataeu, with steep sided valleys between.

It is legal to hike and camp almost anywhere in Scotland, with a few common sense exceptions. There are very few waymarked trails though, so an Ordanance Survey map and compass will be needed.

Have a look at this site for some ideas.

Feel free to contact me if i can help in any way.

[tom cole]

In and around Fort William would make a good base for some circular trips. You could walk in Knoydart in one of the more remote areas in the uk. You could start at Glenfinnan near Fort William and then make ur way to the inverie, and then ferry to Mallaig and then train back to Fort William. Another idea based in Fort William would be to make ur way to Corrour via Glen Nevis, then hook back to Fort William via Kinlochleven. Plenty bothies in all these areas to stay in. (free mountain huts, contact the Mountain Bothy Association for more info)

Another place for circular remote walks to base yourself could be Aviemore, plenty long distace routes from there, and plenty scope for bagging peaks along the way.

Sure you will have an interesting time of it whatever u do…

[Rog Tallbloke]

If you are going after May, take headnets and a bugproof tent. The scottish midge laughs at citronella, and drinks Neet Deet as an aperitif.

"There were sev'ral diff'rent kinds of bugs
And some had feet like dyers dugs
They sat on the bed and cocked their lugs
And sang "Hurrah" for Rothesay-O."

If you have time, get up to Torridon and take a drive over Britains highest road down to Applecross. Book ahead to the restaurant at the Inn, it's famously good.

Multimap.com is useful for getting a look at the terrain. Use the 'OS MAP' option. If you wonder why the grid is tilted, it's because the Ordnance Survey are very touchy about copyright.

[Stuart R]

Scotland has very varied scenery in compact area. The west from Glasgow northwards is rugged, Skye is spectacular. The Cairngorms (east/central) have a glaciated terrain, the far North different again.

There are a few waymarked trails such as the "West Highland Way", but you are better to make up your own routes, as you are allowed to walk almost anywhere.
You can wild camp almost anywhere too, and I recommend "Cool Camping Scotland" for sites where you want facilities.

Be prepared for midgies in summer, particularly in the West: this is a tarp free zone! Also there can be shooting/stalking in some areas, uptodate info here: http://www.snh.org.uk/hillphones/

[William Puckett]

There is a wealth of good hiking (aka walking) guide books that can be found in almost any bookstore or local tourist office in Scotland. I thought the "Pathfinder" guides were very accessible and practical for day hikes. They are available in almost any UK bookstore…AND at Amazon.com.UK.

I loved Skye and most of the Highlands…Glen Coe in particular…and the area around Aviemore.

Oh…take GOOD raingear. You will be rained on!!

And ditto the advice on having good bugnet/headnet protection.

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