Backpacking/hiking Scotland, need input

[Jock Scot]

For planning purposes, I'd look for the road-atlas version of the OS maps, which used to be called Ordnance Survey Superscale Atlas of Great Britain. I imagine it's still around in some form, mine dates to 1990. It was about 11 pounds, a big spiral bound set of maps for all of Britain.

Searching W.H. Smith, I find this
and this. Can someone in the know give us more info?

Yes ,for planning purposes that would be a good idea, although I am not too sure how much detail of the terrain is given.Perhaps enough, I don't know,worth checking out though.

[Thunderbolt]

Most likley, I'm going to be using a GPS. I have an old-school unit now, without mapping capability. I will be upgrading that before I go, with a UK map added on.

But, I always back up my GPS with maps. If I fall and crush a map, I can still use it. If I fall and crush my GPS....well, I'm screwed, unless I have maps.... I do however have a fairly accurate internal compass. It has always served me well.

I may reconsider the GPS later, though. It's on the "Nice to have, but not absolutly needed." list.

I have two maps on my wall already. One of Scotland and the other of Mull and other islands around it. I'm already starting to plan my route.

T.

[Woodsman]

I've ordered several topo maps of Ireland from Omni that I was very happy with.

http://www.omnimap.com

[scoutniagara]

Ok, one more suggestion for inexpensive places to "camp" while in UK. I've been "over" twice; once from Portsmouth to Inverness and many points in between... 3000 km on my rental car. The last time over, I bought a rail/Tube pass and had a friend pick me up at a rail stop. I checked out the least expensive ways to find accomodation in the UK and it's not B&Bs and hostels. ...and as has been pointed out, you can't just set up your tent anywhere you feel like it. I did travel with all my gear, but I had a car or tube/rail to carry it the long distances.

If you have any connection to "Scouting", buy a yearly membership as a "member-at-large" or what ever they call it in your area. (It would be nice if you had some service or time to offer your local group.) Locate camps or Scout centres in the areas you wish to visit: http://www.scout.org/en/around_the_w.../scout_centres

On my first visit, I "camped" all over the country staying at local Scout centres throughout. About half of them, wouldn't take any money even though I'd had mail confirmation of my length of stay and costs. At most of the camps, I shared food with local groups who also, wouldn't take money or assistance from us. We were their Canadian guests. I'm talking about 5 pounds for a night's lodging...sometimes a room with sofas, sometimes a cabin for 8 with fridge, cooking facilities and two rooms with bunks for eight (My friends snored...I had a room all to myself). We were invited to join the camp staff for evening socials of toast and "Tartan" (alcohol is allowed at Scout camps over there). I had my pipes with me, borrowed a guitar and assisted them with campfire entertainment.

Plan the time of year, ending at the Edinburgh Tatoo, the first weekend of August. The Gathering of the Clans ending with the Edinburgh Tatoo would be great!

Now, I'm thinking of the possibilities. Some of my Scouting UK friends aren't getting any younger, either.

Best wishes

[Pour1Malt]

dinnae make the mistake o' missin' the Soothwest o' Scotland- Dumfries & Galloway is often referred tae as "Undiscovered Scotland"...

there arr brilliant hills an stunnin' coastline here in D&G...excellent hikin' an campin'...

an ya cuid no find a better place tae rest yur heid than Ferintosh Guest House....(ask those that have been here!)

[KiltedDawg]

The West Highland Way is a must! Planon doing itin 6/7 days (due to stopping points). June is a great month as July and August can get busy. My father and I did the trail back in 1995 and experiend very little rainfall (which is odd for Scotland). I have also done the Wicklow Way in Ireland, Offa's Dike in Wales, and the Cotswalds Way in England. There are some great short/long distance trails in GB where you can walk for the day and end up in a little village with a B&B/hostel and a pub at the end of the day. All in all it's a great way to spend a holiday! In fact, I'm plaaning todo the West Highland Way again this summer, time permitting.

[Thunderbolt]

Ok, here's what I have so far:

I'm thinking about the West Highland Way from Glasgow to FW. Then the jaunt down to Oban, catch the ferry to Mull, A loop around Mull, maybe 3 or 4 days, then back up to FW and hit the Great Glen Way to Inverness.

I'm thinking 7-8 days on the WHW, 3-4 days on Mull, then 5-6 days on the GGW. I think 3 or 4 additional days for rest/travel will get me close to my 3 week goal.

I'm being liberal with my days planned right now, I don't want to rush through things. I might cut short the days on Mull to 2 days if I see everything I want. Plus, I've been there before. There's a wonderful B&B there I'd like to rest at for a day or so.

Still very much in the rough planning stage. I'm probably thinking fall of next year, say, late August/September.

T.