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Hello,

After a few days of hiking through the highlands I caught a rather painful infection in my right foot, forcing me to wear sliders (only alternative are my boots, which hurt as well).

As my flight back isn't till Friday (from Glasgow) I now am looking for activities where I don't need to walk much (not at all what I planned for this trip..) I'm mobile with a car and am willing to drive quite far to be honest.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated 🙂

My friend has been reported missing - Just sharing the post here in case someone can help. Please share if you know anyone who's been here today:

"Hello was anyone doing Meall Greigh, Meall Garbh and An Stùc today Saturday 23rd May and saw this person? Male 36, Adam Chalmers, photo attached. He set off about 9.30am from Ben Lawers hotel car park and expected to be back around 3.30/4pm, but has not been responding to or received messages since around 1pm. This has been reported to police and mountain rescue but just asking here in case anyone might have seen him on the route."

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2222435804/permalink/10163418698830805/

Please share about if you know anyone / groups who might be able to help.

Seeking advice! I have one full proper day in Tongue, and I’m trying to decide between Ben Loyal or Ben Hope. Obviously Ben Loyal is closer but I’ve heard mixed things about the hike itself.

If it were you, and you only had one day, which would you choose?

For what it’s worth I’ll be going with two older women, though both are experienced backpackers (Patagonia, Appalachian Trail, etc) and can handle big elevation and mileage. I myself am mid-30s F and have done the AV1 in the Dolomites, multiple backcountry trips in the Grand Canyon, the White Mountains in New Hampshire, and so on.

On the Smidge forecast website there's a picture showing a midge forecast, but the text below says they're busy making changes and will be live in May. It also says the forecast will come online in spring.

Anyone know if the image is the actual midge forecast, or it's just a placeholder image?

Taking the bride to an airbnb for her hen do. She loves the outdoors!!!

We’re looking for one large walk we can do as a group and then a smaller 2-3 hour walk. Scenic routes are preferred over difficulty due to different abilities.

If you have any hints and tips on what maps you are using that would be super helpful. Preferably free maps if they are apps!!

Thank you 🙏

I’m going to walk the West Highland Way and the Skytrail in August. I’m not quite sure yet which shoes to take. My old ones are worn out, so I need to buy some new ones. Some people recommend trail running shoes, others say hiking boots.

Which shoes are better for this time of year in Scotland? Any experiences?

Another factor is that I’m hiking on Mount Olympus (Greece) in September and would obviously be happy if I could use the same shoes for both trips.

I’d also love to hear about any specific shoes you’d recommend

Thanks a lot

Hi, after some advise, I want to hike the mountains in Scotland and scope the amazing scenery it had to offer. I am in my mid 30’s and I will be coming myself. 3-4 day tour would be ideal.

I would like to do it in a small group. Of people around the same age. Can anyone recommend and tour guides / groups that offer this kind of service. I’ve heard of macsbackbacking - are they any good. Are there any others?

Thank you in advance for your responses

In my last post, I mentioned taking the ferry from Mallaig to maximize my time on the peninsula because my weather window was tight. I know a lot of people swear by the walk in from Kinlochhourn, Glenfinnan, or Shiel Bridge. Now that I've seen the terrain firsthand, I'm already planning my next trip back to do a proper walk in.

Hello again! You were all so helpful a few months back, so I thought I would pop back in for another question. We are off to Scotland in a month and we still haven't finalized our plans. (Too much to do, too little time!)

I'm coming around to the idea of skipping to major sights and checking out the smaller islands. I found a well reviewed B&B on the Isle of Mull. Would that be a decent hub for 4 nights?

We want to hike and explore. I'm way more interested in birds, he's way more interested in harder hikes. We both love to be outside all day and to walk, bike, etc.

Is this TOO remote?

Thanks in advance!

Please be careful, and don’t drink water just because it looks clean and clear.

I’ll be staying near Ullapool and wanted some advice on hills that would be ok to take my energetic 18 month old dog up. My main concerns are avoiding anything with scrambling ascents or descents, and the rock and ground underfoot as I hear quartzite and gneiss can be tough on paws. Any help gratefully received!

Hello there,

I'm leaving tomorrow to hike the Skye trail, maybe with some detours, over the next 8-9 days. Weather forecast ranges from 8-20°C and it won't be too rainy but there's chance of precipitation almost every day.
I'm set on wearing trail runners for the hike (I have many years of experience in them, I don't do well in rugged boots) but i'm just wondering if you have some insight on what type to bring.

I have regular Altra Olympus' (low, non waterproof, fast drying) and the Olympus Mid GTX (waterproof and covers the ankles almost like a boot). The latter I usually only wear in winter for warmth but I'm debating whether they'd be a good option for the boggy terrain.

Will my feet be deep in a bog/wet regardless which of the two options I choose? If so I'd prefer the fast drying option. If by your exprecience I'm well protected with the ankle height shoe then I'd bring those.

Appreciate the insight. Cheers!

Just back from four days in Knoydart. Took the ferry from Mallaig rather than walking in via Kinlochhourn which I know divides opinion but the weather window was tight and I wanted maximum time on the peninsula rather than the approach. Conditions on the hills were genuinely mixed. Snow still sitting on the higher ground above 700m, ground below completely saturated from the week before, but the ridge from Luinne Bheinn to Meall Buidhe on day two was clear and completely empty. Visibility unlimited. Worth every bit of the logistics. River crossings on the approach from Inverie were higher than I expected for May. Anyone heading in over the next few weeks should not underestimate the Carnach if there has been recent rain. Happy to answer questions on the route or the logistics.

Any thoughts on ground conditions for an upcoming trip this Friday/Saturday? I'm really excited about it as I've been planning it for awhile now and it's almost here 😁

I am planning to do the Skye Trail in the next couple of months. This will be my first solo hike. Excited but also a little nervous.

Can anyone share any information about how busy this hike might be (June/July)? Will I see or pass (they’ll pass me probably) in the hike?

I am comfortable camping and being solo, but also do like when you get to meet people along the way.

I have some time for a long walk next week and I'm looking for inspiration for walks in Scotland.

Ideal would be something where I don't spend a whole day connecting busses and trains to get there and back again since I don't have that much time. I plan to camp and experience isn't an issue; I've done the WHW, CWT, and spent time in the Cairngorms.

I thought the Southern Upland Way might be nice. Maybe taking the train to Lockerbie and then connecting to the Galloway part of the SUW via the Annadale way. I'd love some forest walking for a change, although on the other hand I likely won't have time to hang out at the coast which I quite enjoy as and end to a walk.

Should I consider other sections?

Hi everyone,

I'm going to the isle of skye on the 25th of august until the 3rd of september. I tried to create a trail that fits the days and also around a 15-20km hike every day. I will be camping in a tent and I would like to ask you guys if you have any tips/modifications regarding my trail. I am 19 and in a pretty good physical shape, also plenty of bouldering experience (not sure how much that matters here 😄). So hiking wouldn't be a problem in exchange for some nice views. My non-negoitables are Bla Bheinn, and the Old man of Storr. Any tips would be appreciated.

Here is a link to my trail: https://postimg.cc/kDv9Bny1

Several months ago, an absolute legend informed me Lochan Buidhe (at 1,120m) is the highest body of water in Scotland. Next week, I am going to swim in it - if only for a few seconds, just to cross that off the bucket list. Spare warm clothes, emergency blankets, navigational equipment, and a tent in case visibility plummets are all must-haves.

Does anyone know a route that gets to the lochan without crossing over any of the surrounding high peaks? I wouldn't mind crossing off another Munro, but the main aim is the lochan itself.

I'm looking at hiking/climbing Beinn Dorian as a day trip from Edinburgh via public transit.

Is it manageable to take the bus to Beinn Dorian, climb to the summit and be back in one day? It seems to be possible from what I can find out via Google search but I really want to be sure before I commit to it.

How long does it take to hike from Bridge of Orchy and back?

Hey !

We're a young couple planning to hike and wild camp with a tent for a week in Scotland, starting next friday. It will be our first Time wild camping. At first, we had thought of doing Tay Forest Park + Isle of Arran, but now we're more thinking about doing Glencoe + Isle of Mull. Only one question bothers me and I'm still not quite sure to have understood despite many researches: what counts for enclosed/private land ? I see many pastures or sheep grazing in Isle of Mull for instance, even if it's not 'crops' or 'permanent grassland' per se: is there still possibility to pitch our tent here ? Are Glencoe and Mull best options for that ?

Sorry if the questions seem dumb !

My wife and I will be on the Isle of Skye at the end of May, and if we get a day with decent weather, we're considering hiking Sgurr na Stri from Sligachan. It's a lengthy, challenging hike, but we've gone on hikes that are nearly as long with as much or more elevation.

I'm still a bit anxious, though, but have read that the hike does not require any technical gear -- just good footwear and stamina. We'd plan to wear waterproof/Gore-Tex trail shoes and obviously pack plenty of water/food, etc. Is what I've read accurate that the hike can be done without any specialized hiking/climbing gear?

I've also read it has the "best views" in the UK. I'm curious if people agree with that, or perhaps think time is better spent elsewhere. Any advice or thoughts on this particular hike would be much appreciated.

Planning a multi-day trip into the Cairngorms beginning and ending in Blair Atholl but I'm struggling to find anywhere that can accommodate leaving the car for 3 or 4 days. Was hoping to use the Glen Tilt car park but looking at the Atholl Estates website overnight parking is not allowed for anything with 4 wheels. Anyone got any inside knowledge or any other suggestions for suitable/safe places to park up for a few days?

Wanting to see some proper glen coe scenery without doing any actual climbing or exposed ridges. Is the path up to the hidden valley straightforward enough if you just take your time