Backpacking/hiking Scotland, need input

[Thunderbolt]

Hi all,

I'm putting together a plan for a trip to Scotland in 2009. I plan on hiking/backpacking most of it, with a occasional bus or postbus ride.

I would like to spend at least 3 weeks, maybe a month. Probably start out in Edinburgh, then by bus to Oban or Fort William, then set off on foot, spending most of the time on the west coast highlands and isles.

This will probably be the only time I'll ever have to do this. I'm getting older and life gets in the way so I won't be able to do this forever. I'll go back, but in much more comfort in my later years.

Ok, on to the questions. I plan on staying at a hostel occasionally, even a B&B along the way for a rest for a day or two, but mostly I'm planning on camping, or wild camping as it's referred to there. Basically, I'm pitching a small tent or even just throwing out a bag and snoozing. From what I understand, the Scottish Outdoor Access Code allows one to pretty much camp anywhere, within reason and respect. Is this true? Some of my travel will be totally off roads. I HOPE to spend a lot of time not seeing anyone...experiencing the country itself. Eating in small pubs and such. Not that I don't enjoy the people, not at all, I will have plenty of time for that.

Any feedback on the plan or ideas much needed and appreciated.

Kilt reference? I plan on doing all of this kilted of course. I'm traveling fairly light and a kilt should allow me to omit at least two pr. of pants, and underwear!

Any ideas on the best time of year? I don't want to go at the height of tourist season, but reasonable weather would be nice, and out of midge season too!

I plan on at least one kilt, probably a heavyweight, maybe, just maybe, a great kilt, given the nature of my travel.

Most likely I'll be alone, as my wife isn't keen on the idea, unless there are some x-markers who might wish to join me, however the group would be very small, say 3 or 4 maximum. I'm sure I'll make a few stops to say hi to some of our x-markers in Scotland as well.

This'll give me enough time to get back into hiking shape. It's been a few years.

Thanks in advance for the input.

T.

[Bugbear]

I hope you are able to go and that you have a wonderful time. My mother lived over in Ireland for a while and often went to Scotland. She said it is a wonderful and beautiful land. Good luck.

[Clockwork John]

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

[cavscout]

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.

[Jock Scot]

Where do I start?OK,I am not a back packer(camper),but I live in the Highlands and have and still do spend much of my time out,in and on it.You may have seen a few of my photos here (picture section)under the title of" it does not always rain in Scotland"which may give you an idea of the terrain hereabouts.Make no mistake it nearly always rains in the Highlands!So be prepared!The Highland midge can drive you mad-I KID YOU NOT-so the bad midge season is from mid-May to mid-September,I know that I could be accused of speaking heresy here,but take it from a local, take trousers(pants) or you will wish you were dead!

There are two "classic walks" the "West Highland Way"from Glasgow to Fort William which is about 100 miles and "the Great Glen Way"from FW to Inverness which is about 70 miles.They can be "Googled".There are hundreds of walks up the mountains(we call them hills)and walks to see lochs and the wildlife and scenery in general is spectacular.

Just a word of warning,and any experianced outdoorsman will know this,care with fire(in spite of the rain) is a must,the Highlands even in the summer can be a harsh place and even the basic services can be sparse,Lyme disease is now a risk(I know, I have it).Apart from all that,I would not want to live anywhere else.If I can help further then please ask.

[belsen]

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. i think there is a law to just camp anywhere there is in england cuz every 1 owns every bit of land so i dont know about scotland but I'm gunna do it anyway. i cant wait.

[cessna152towser]

Some of the old railway station buildings in the west highlands, along the lines to Oban and Fort William have been converted to bunkhouses where you could arrive by train, stop off a night, then set off into the wilds next day. Corrour to Fort William via Glen Nevis is said to be a very pleasant one day walk, though I confess I've only done the busier section of it at the Glen Nevis end. You really do want to avoid the wet season, because once it starts to rain it can rain every day for months, but there is no easy answer to this. Statistically May and June are usually said to be the driest months, with August being one of the wettest, yet this year in southern Scotland in rained almost incessantly from late April until 19th August, yet from then on it was unusually dry right up until a few days before Christmas. Though the weather can vary from one part of the country to another - in July while the countryside was waterlogged here in the Scottish Borders I spent a week in the West Highlands and had quite pleasant weather and found the ground very firm and dry for walking in the hills around Mallaig.

[caig]

You may not be aware that over the weekend 25 July 2009 is the Gathering of the Clans in Edinburgh and should be spectacular.

I often go hiking and camping in Scotland so if you let know your plans we may be able to meet up.

You will love it !

[belsen]

im up for that! what happens at Gathering of the Clans?

[Graywolf]

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.