Backpacking/hiking Scotland, need input

[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.

[Jock Scot]

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 mountain "Ben Hope" 3041ft(almost exactly 1000ft less than Ben Nevis,our highest mountain in the UK) gets my vote.