Walking through Scotland

[thanmuwa]

No idea about the rules for Northern Ireland (I suspect they are similar to England) but in Ireland (the Republic) wild camping is technically not legal, but in reality as long as you follow the usual politeness rules and ask nicely then pub front gardens (bonus: close to evening's entertainment) and farmer's fields shouldn't be much of a problem. I don't know how easy it would be to walk along, but the Shannon-Erne system neatly bisects Ireland and friends have told me that the pubs along the waterway are absolute hidden gems. Maybe you could thumb a ride on a boat?

And for those who fancy a wee cheat in Scotland, there is the fantastic postbus service to cut a chunk off your hike and get you to some VERY remote places

[calanacrafts]

We would call it the West Highland way.......
The duration of this walk is 7-8 days, although depending on fitness (SAS level) and time constraints it could be done in 5. Technically it is undemanding - elevating 500m's over 152km - excepting some tricky sections around Loch Lomond. Early April to late October avoids the worst of the winter weather, and the summer months benefit from long hours of day-light (sunrise 4.30 -sunset 10.30 in late June). Beware the midges though! (see below)

The trail takes the walker through ancient Caledonian forest and around the 'Bonnie Banks O' Loch Lomond' - the UK’s largest body of freshwater - and beyond to the desolate Highland wilderness of Ranoch Moor and the 540m highpoint, the aptly named Devil's staircase. It finishes at Fort William at the foot of Britain's tallest mountain, Ben Nevis.

Camping
It is possible to camp wildly along much of the route, or alternatively, for those who value their creature comforts, in one of several well run campsites. Why not camp on one of the shingle beaches on the gently lapping shores of Loch Lomond for example? However, be advised here on 2 counts: Putting a tent up on a beach can be a unique and frustrating challenge (particularly in the dark); secondly, any waterside location is likely to suffer the worst infestations of the dreaded Scottish midge
Hope this helps......I'm sure from Fort William there would be another walk to take you through to Inverness.....

Joan (who is on the Isle of Harris West coast of Scotland)

[Alan H]

And for those who fancy a wee cheat in Scotland, there is the fantastic postbus service to cut a chunk off your hike and get you to some VERY remote places

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...postbuses.html

Wow, what a resource! That's fantastic, thank you very much. I've been told that the train service is pretty darned good as well.

[Alan H]

When I walk Scotland, what am I going to do?

1. Walk at least 10 miles of Hadrians Wall
2. spend 3-4 days in Dumfries, and get over to Redesdale, Teviotdale and Liddesdale, as those were the stomping grounds of my Hall ancestors. I'd probably be driving a lot of this.
3. Take the train up to Glasgow, stay in Glasgow for 2-3 days to see the shipping museums and stuff.
4. Take the light rail up to Milngavie and spend the next ten days walking the West Highland Way. This ends at Fort William.
5. Pause the West Highland Way walk a little north of the Bridge of Orchy, and take an overnight detour down into Glen Etive.
6. Take the ferry from Fort William to Oban (I think you can do this)
7. Take a bus or rail from Oban to Inverary, probably 20 miles.
8. Walk the north shore of Loch Awe up to Dunderave, and see Saint Conans Kirk. Also, the *really* ancient MacNachtan Home/fortress is on an island in another Loch, I believe Loch Fyne. I'd need to hire a boat to get out to see that.



Other things to tuck in there.

a visit to John Muirs birthplace in Dunbar
a visit to Culloden moor
4-5 days in Edinburgh
A visit to the Aberlour distillery
competing at the Blairgowrie & Rattay Highland Games, the sister Games to the Livermore Games here in California. This year the Games are on Sunday, September 7th.

It could work out that taking a bus/train from Edinburgh to Blairgowrie, and then hoisting on a pack for the 100 miles or so up to Aberlour would be a good trip as well. That would be about 10-12 days, and my guess is that it gets pretty remote out there.

In other words, I need a month, since I'd have a pack on for 20 days! It'd probably be from around August 20-something to September 20-something.

[Derek Conley]

Regarding the postbus, very cool... I had no idea that existed!

[Alan H]

.and while I'm at it...

Since I'm cruising Loch Awe, I'd like to visit Kilneuair Church....15th century medieval church in ruins, which apparently incorporates a bronze-age marked stone in its construction. This structure is sometimes called "Saint Columba's chapel".

And I'd also like to visit some of the Bronze Age artifacts and structures, like the Nether Largie cairns in the Kilmartin Valley.

[unaspenser]

Thanks for the great info, Redshank! I will save this post. I'd love to do more hiking the next time I'm in Scotland. No matter how much I do it's never enough to satisfy.

[Alan H]

It could work out that taking a bus/train from Edinburgh to Blairgowrie, and then hoisting on a pack for the 100 miles or so up to Aberlour would be a good trip as well. That would be about 10-12 days, and my guess is that it gets pretty remote out there.

Looks like a lot of this route passes through Cairngorm National Park, at least from Braemar to the River Spey. "National Park" means something rather different in Scotland than it does here in the USA, I might guess, tho.

[JS Sanders]

I've done some hiking in Scotland.

Unless you keep to the east coast, I can assure you that won't be "slogging around in the rain now and then".

It doesn't rain constantly, but if you're hiking in it for several days you may think so. It can be pissing with rain, spitting rain, or a Highland mist. You'll soon understand why UK residents make such a big deal of cloud-free days.

Bring the latest and the greatest rain gear you can get - full rain suits too.

Of course rain is part of the charm of the Highlands. Hiking up a hill into a rain cloud is an experience everyone should have.

Slan yall,
steve

[OFCJAX]

I see a market in Waterproof nylon Ripstop hiking kilts!