Backpacking/hiking Scotland, need input

[caig]

For the first time in many years a large number of clans are gathering in Edinburgh over the weekend of 25 July 2009 for a parade up the Royal Mile from Holyrood Palace to the Castle. There will be a pageant at the Castle and a highland games in Holyfiod Park.Hope you can make it. There are several hostels in Ebinburgh.

[Jock Scot]

One very famous Scottish hiking route is the West Highland Way, starting outside Glasgow and ending in Fort William. This route is very popular for hiking tours, partly due to its convenient and easily accessible start and end points. Try this site for information http://www.albawest.com/. It also has links to others.

I have not seen the suggested website before.It captures the Highland atmosphere well and there is some very good advice given that is very relevent to the Highlands in general.

[Mark]

I've walked the West-Highland Way a couple of years ago. It is a very beautiful walk with a lot of different landscapes. However, it's not really off-road or a wildernis, but beaten track. Beautiful nontheless and I'd really recommend it.

[Woodsman]

Your backpacking trip sounds great. I would love to hike around both Scotland and Ireland someday. I haven't even thought about 2009 yet. But I should because you are right, we are not getting any younger. Make sure that you plan out your entire trip down to the smallest detail. You'll need to know how far you will walk each day and where your stops will be for food, supplies, showers, etc. You should get a detailed topographic map of Scotland and the trails. Panchos work well with kilts but get one that is a breathable material and that is long enough to cover your kilt or you'll wind up with a wet hem. You could perhaps mail yourself some packages for pick up at the local post offices. Pack light.

[Mael Coluim]

In May, 2004 I was part of pilgrimage following St. Columba’s journey from his monastery at Iona to King Brude’s castle just outside of Inverness. We followed the Great Glen Way.

On of the Scots in our group wore his kilt for the week. I wore a belted plaid at times but not when traveling. We hitched; rode buses and supporters would take us along the way. It was a wonderful journey.

I carried everything I need in my pack including a bevy sack but always had a roof over my head at the end of the day.

I will be posting on this trip on my blog, Remembering Donald later.

I will be (the Lord be willing) going back to Scotland in 2009 for The Gathering in Edinburgh and then heading for Kilmartin for the McCallum/Malcolm’s Clan Society Annual Meeting at Duntrune Castle, home of Chief Robin Malcolm. I plan to travel only with my pack and be kilted 24/7!

[Thunderbolt]

I'd love to go... but it'll probably be out of my price range. What time of year were you planning on going?

Part of the reason I'm hiking/camping is to save on cost. That's not the primary reason though. It might not be out of your price range. I'm planning on the spring, summer of fall months. That's a lot of latitude but I'm staying flexable right now.

What a coincidence, I was just thinking today, if there was one mountain to climb in all of Scotland, which would it be? One day I'll make it over there, and a chance to view the highlands from the top would be a pilgrimage I'd be interested in.

The schedule is totaly in the infant stages just now. That's why I'm asking ya'll. I'd like to spend a few days on Mull, as this is where my Clan's home is.

haha I'm doing that next summer but just pure camping and hiking with my mate. no pubs b&bs and hotels for me though i cant afford that.

The hotels and B&B's will be very limited, probably once a week or so. Really just to clean up, do laundry and rest.

Your backpacking trip sounds great. I would love to hike around both Scotland and Ireland someday. I haven't even thought about 2009 yet. But I should because you are right, we are not getting any younger. Make sure that you plan out your entire trip down to the smallest detail. You'll need to know how far you will walk each day and where your stops will be for food, supplies, showers, etc. You should get a detailed topographic map of Scotland and the trails. Panchos work well with kilts but get one that is a breathable material and that is long enough to cover your kilt or you'll wind up with a wet hem. You could perhaps mail yourself some packages for pick up at the local post offices. Pack light.

Thanks for the advice, and welcome to the forums!

I used to do a lot of hiking/backpacking as a kid, but not so much now. I know what I need to do, just now I'm planning how to do it! First will be thinking about what I want to see, how far to travel each day and by what mode (foot normally).

Thanks for all the info.

T.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I would strongly suggest you sort out every detail of your trip with Jock Scot-- despite what you may have heard about the ability to "roam where you want" land owners in Scotland do have rights, including the right to "reasonably restrict access". Land owners include the government, the National Trust for Scotland, the Ministry of Defense as well as Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, and the local crofter. Reasons for land closure can range from lambing season, to disease control, to closing an area because it's deemed to be an area of special scientific interest. And of course the ubiquitous endangered species habitat, now being introduced by the European Union.

Midges can be ferocious-- they're not called West Highland Pirhana Midges for nothing. When "Monarch of the Glen" was filming several of the cast and crew had to receive medical attention for midge bites. Even outside of midge season there are midges (not all of them seem to get the word that midge season is over).

Back in 1971 I did two weeks hiking in the west-- all I took were a pair of stout hiking boots, three pair of hose, a 16oz kilt cut high for hiking, two heavy wool shirts, long john top, an anorack, a boy scout poncho, canteen, first aid kit, some beef jerky, and my back pack, sleeping bag, and a super-light weight two man tent.

After three days hiking I posted the kilt and hose back to my flat in Edinburgh, bought some hiking trousers and four pair of boot socks, as well as loading up on LemSip for the head cold I had acquired. I also got some stuff at the chemist to put on all of the midge bites, and as soon as the itching stopped and the swellling went down, I happily went back to wearing underwear.

I never really became lost, but I sure as hell got "confused" on more than one occasion. And like Jock Scot and others have said-- don't hike alone. You can die if you make a mistake out in the hills.

Anyhow, plan, plan and plan your trip. Despite all of my mis-adventures, it was absolutely THE BEST DAMN HIKE I EVER TOOK. And if you don't do it, you will always hate yourself for having woosed out.

Good Luck and talk to Jock Scot.

[Arlen]

If you're going to do a lot of hiking in your kilt, spray tea-tree oil under it.
It's the only way to keep the midges out. (I cover myself in the stuff. I might not spell great to ladies, but I'd rather that than another year of healing midge bites.)

Yes, you can camp pretty much anywhere, but it is expected that you have permission if at all possible and that you leave the land exactly as you found it. (Pretty standard.)

As Jock Scot has suggested, expect rain. A lot of it.
I usually take a hooded anorak that zips into a small bag and I can pull it out and put it on when the rain starts. I don't get too warm but it keeps me dry.
Also, have some 'indoor socks.' That way you can dry off your feet and keep them warm once you're out of the rain. It REALLY helps you to keep going.

As far as places to hike, yes, the West Highland Way and some of the Glencoe and Ben Nevis hikes are fantastic. What is also great is to ask locals.
Find someone who seems honest and friendly, ask where is good for a nice hike and if they know somewhere you can get a small map of the route.
Usually they'll be able to help you out and advise you of sights along the way.


If you need any more advice or ideas, feel free to PM me.


Good luck and enjoy your holiday!

[Graywolf]

And of course the ubiquitous endangered species habitat, now being introduced by the European Union.

Midges can be ferocious-- they're not called West Highland Pirhana Midges for nothing. When "Monarch of the Glen" was filming several of the cast and crew had to receive medical attention for midge bites. Even outside of midge season there are midges (not all of them seem to get the word that midge season is over).

And you are not allowed to swat them. They are a Scottish National resource

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Yes. See the EU directive on: "endangered species of insect, annoying, small, Scottish", for full details.