Scottish Wild Country Backpacking: 30 weekend and multi-day routes in the Highlands and Islands

Product Information

The rules of dating in Scotland are roughly the same as they are in most of the western world. It is your responsibility to practice safe sex and treat your date/travel lover/one night stand with respect and kindness. The Promoter is Cicerone Press Limited, Juniper House, Murley Moss Business Village, Oxenholme Road, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 7RL. As I have mentioned before, Scotland is trekking paradise! There are so many well established, well maintained routes that one could spend a life time exploring. Never try to argue with a farmer about trying to wild camp on his land. Wild camping laws in Scotland are a great enjoyment for lots of people. Don’t be the person that ruins a spot for everyone else. Further, do not be disrespectful to the people making their living from the land. Dating in Scotland

That was what myself and friend/peer/rival Dan Bailey thought as we spread a Harvey map of the region across his dining room table one evening at the end of last October (2015). We pored over the details, tracing fingers along waterways, around the craggy edges of broad mountains and through the defiles of needling passes.Tinder seems to be a popular choice for many travelers and locals a like. Sometimes, Tinder is a far more rewarding Couchsurfing experience if you know what I mean. Never jump to conclusions though. No means no, every time. If you opt to carry the original paper maps, you can post them home from points of civilisation with pre-paid envelopes once they have served their purpose. The advantage is that you’ll have the full maps available at all times, but you’ll have to put up with extra weight. A map case is essential to keep your maps in good repair as a bit of ‘scotch mist’ (a local euphemism for torrential rain) can reduce an unprotected map to mulch in a matter of minutes. Laminated versions of Ordnance Survey maps (called ActiveMaps) are available for many OS sheets, although they are heavier and more expensive than the regular versions. All Harvey maps are both waterproof and lightweight, but they do not currently cover the full trail. Scotland: The Story Of A Nation– Story of a Nationis history on an epic level, and essential reading for anyone interested in the rich past of this captivating land.

There are multiple towns and villages dotting the coastline and interior. The biggest and closest town to the mainland after crossing over on the Skybridge (that’s right, you can drive to Skye!) is Broadford. Here you can find a wide array of restaurants, pubs, and a decent sized grocery store. We have used them countless times and they've always provided excellent insight and knowledge that you only get through experience, giving you the edge to make your trip a success and more enjoyable too. If you enjoy the tough but beautiful Scottish landscapes, then you should maybe consider atrip to Lake District in England. The town itself is worth a visit as it has everything you need to resupply, whether you are beginning or finishing a trek. There are more cheap accommodation choices here too than elsewhere in the Highlands. I loved staying at The Wild Goose Hostel. The Wild Goose has free breakfast and is centrally located. The hostel is very close to theCaledonian Canal and The Lochy Bar when your ready for a pintIt's not often a book comes along that adds a whole new dimension to your time in the hills but The Book of the Bothy could do just that... A great book that made me want to head to the hills immediately." Scotland is part of the UK. Following Brexit, pretty much everybody will need a work visa. These are awarded on a points based immigration system which more or less closes the door to most would be applicants. Volunteer in Scotland

For nearly 50 years Cicerone have been producing guidebooks on recognised treks, regions, areas and general tips for hikers. Certainly no trip to the Highlands would be complete without a visit toCairngorms National Park. Aviemore is a quaint little town in the heart of the park and makes for a good base to explore the wild mountains of the Cairngorms. Prizes are subject to availability. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, the Promoter reserves the right (a) to substitute alternative prizes of equivalent or greater value and (b) in exceptional circumstances to amend or foreclose the promotion without notice. No correspondence will be entered into. Find out whether or not your bank in your home country has fee-free international withdrawal. If so, activate it for your trip or for whenever you travel abroad. Once I discovered my bank card had that option, I saved a huge amount in ATM fees! When traveling to Scotland on a budget, every dollar (pound) counts right? Travel Tips – Scotland on a Budget Find out where the best places to stay in Fort William are so you can be as close as possible to the attractions (or parties for that matter). Or better yet, if you’re looking for a remote escape, here’s our epic guide to the best cabins and lodges in Fort William!

The Shelter Stone

With an incredibly specific prediction of a workable weather window, we needed a plan that would avoid the worst of the wind and rain, keep us out overnight and put us in a strong position from which to explore this arctic wilderness the following day. Local buses can be option for getting around but there are only a few routes, and they don’t run everyday. For those who aren't aware, a bothy is a basic building which is free for use by walkers for shelter or to stay one or two nights. Most don't have toilets and no running water so is basically a step up from a tent. Many are ex-miner cottages and have a historic story to tell and many are in places with fantastic views. Most are in Scotland but there are a few in the Lake District, Northumberland and Wales. The majority of Bothies are maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association are were relatively secret until a few years ago. Some islands are closer to the mainland than others. Obviously there can be huge differences in price depending on the distance. The Scottish Isles are magical places and are not to be missed! Onwards Travel From Scotland

Glasgow is Edinburgh’s edgier but cooler big brother. Though only 75 kilometers away it has a totally different vibe. This is the industrial center of Scotland and some of the landscapes around the city reflect that. Glasgow has a major international airport and is another main artery in Scotland’s transportation network.

Adventure

Difficulty: The routes included here are best-suited to seasoned walkers with some experience of walking in the Scottish Highlands. A good degree of fitness, navigational competence and self-reliance are required. Many of the routes traverse high mountains and otherwise rugged, often pathless terrain. Walkers should be suitably equipped for the terrain and Highland weather. A few of the routes include small amounts of grade 1 scrambling.