Walking
and hiking in Scotland are great ways to
experience culture, landscape and local
traditions. Here are some tips about walking
and what to take:
WHAT
TO TAKE
As little as possible goes without saying.
Packs somehow seem to weigh more at the
end of the day than the beginning. Try and
stash non-essentials in a place you can
return to at the end of the trip.
FOOD
AND WATER
Check your route before you leave. If clean
water and essential food supplies are not
available on-route then you need to hike
them in. There are enough packet foods around
now that make quick and easy meals. Fruit
is great but it is heavy as are tins. Take
a trail mix for nibbles along the way. This
can be made up of anything (nuts, chocolates,
sweets, dried fruit etc).
ACCOMMODATION
Bring your own tent for the most budget
of walking trips, otherwise investigate
on options along the way – there may
be small villages, refuges or cheap places
to stay. We recommend the Lonely Planet’s
“Walking In…” series available
through www.amazon.co.uk We have a list of other accommodation that you can book
online through our
online engine
Walk Caithness.com
Far north Scotland including Morven and
Dunnet Head. Guided and independent walks.
Groups welcome.
Windhaven, Brough, Thurso, Caithness KW14
8YE
Tel: 01847 851774
Email: info@walkcaithness.com
Web: www.walkcaithness.com
Southern Upland Way Ltd
Visit Southern Scotland including weekend
rambles to C2C challenges, advice to products.
The Bothy, Ford House, St Johns Town of
Dalry, Castle Douglas
DG7 3XP
Tel: 01644 430241
Fax: 01644 430681
Email: andrew@southernuplandway.com
Web: www.southernuplandway.com
Carry-Lite
door to door baggage transfer service along
St Cuthbert's Way.
5 Rothley Hall, Rothley, Morpeth, Northumberland
NE61 4JX
Tel: 01670 774455
Fax: 07968 417994
Email: info@carrylite.co.uk
Web: www.carrylite.co.uk
Easyways
professional booking service to undertake
all the administration on your behalf on
long distance walks.
Room 32, Haypark Business Centre, Marchmont
Avenue, Polmont FK2 0NZ
Tel: 01324 714132
Fax: 01324 887766
Email: info@easyways.com
Web: www.easyways.com
Highland Treks & Tours
Guided and Self-Guided Walking Holidays
based in a Loch-side Hotel. Day Walks to
Five Day Wilderness Adventures in Knoydart.
Kintail Lodge Hotel, Glenshiel, Kyle, Ross-shire
IV40 8HL
Tel: 01599 511311
Email: info@tourhighlands.co.uk
Web: www.tourhighlands.co.uk
Strathbraan Treks
Guided forestry walks, in Dunkeld and Pitlochry
areas. For the more adventurous, local Munros,
such as Schiehallion or Ben Lawers can be
climbed.
Beechgrove, Trochry, Dunkeld, Perthshire
PH8 0DY
Tel: 01350 723201
Fax: 01350 723201
Email: info@strathbraan-treks.co.uk
Web: www.strathbraan-treks.co.uk
Wild Adventures
Individual and secluded walking, camping
and biking holidays to the Highlands and
Islands of Scotland.
The Bothy, Skye of Curr, Dulnain Bridge,
Grantown-on-Spey PH26 3PA
Tel: 01479 851374
Fax: 01479 851374
Email: al@wild-adventures.co.uk
Web: www.wild-adventures.co.uk
Snowgoose Mountain Centre
Professional mountain instruction &
guiding, based at a unkhouse near Ben Nevis.
Summer High Mountain Walking; Rock Ridge
& Scramble; Rock Climbing; Winter Skills
& Mountaincraft
The Old smiddy, Station Road, Corpach, Fort
William PH33 7JH
Tel: 01397 772467
Fax: 01397 772411
Email: info@highland-mountain-guides....
Web: www.highland-mountain-guides.co.uk
Roskva Walking Holidays
laid back small group walking holidays.
3 The Barmekin, Alcaig, Conon Bridge, Dingwall
IV7 8HU
Tel: 01349 877079
Email: carol@roskva.co.uk
Web: www.roskva.co.uk
Cape Adventure International
guided walking holidays in North West Scotland,
offering a range of walks
Ardmore, Rhiconich, by Lairg, Sutherland
IV27 4RB
Tel: 01971 521006
Fax: 01971 521006
Email: info@capeventure.co.uk
Web: www.capeventure.co.uk
Boots ‘N’ Paddles
Guided hill-walking and mountain skills
training throughout the Highlands of Scotland.
21 Rosecroft, Muir of Ord, Ross-shire IV6
7RH
Tel: 01463 871297
Fax: 01463 871297
Email: mike@bootsnpaddles.co.uk
Web: www.bootsnpaddles.co.uk
Bespoke Highland Tours
Customised, self led walking holidays in
the Western Highlands and Islands. Treks
include Coast to Coast, Isle of Skye, Great
Glen Way, West Highland Way.
The Bothy, Camusdarach, Arisaig PH39 4NT
Tel: 0141 342 4576
Fax: 0141 334 9017
Email: bespoke.tours@virgin.net
Web: www.highland-tours.co.uk
Absolute Escapes Limited
self-guided walking packages on both the
West Highland Way and Great Glen Way. Group
bookings welcome and all budgets catered
for.
27/10 Maxwell Street, Edinburgh EH10 5HT
Tel: 0131 447 2570
Fax: 0131 447 2570
Email: info@escape2scotland.co.uk
Web: www.escape2scotland.co.uk
Make Tracks Walking Holidays
Accommodation, detailed guides, luggage
transfer on all long distance paths
26 Forbes Road, Edinburgh EH10 4ED
Tel: 0131 229 6844
Fax: 0131 229 6808
Email: mtracks@dircon.co.uk
Web: www.maketracks.net
Footpath holidays
Guided walking holidays in Skye, Glencoe,
Lochaber and the Borders.
16 Norton Bavant, Near Warminster, Wiltshire
BA12 7BB
Tel: 01985 840049
Fax: 01985 840853
Email: footpath.holidays@dmac.co.uk
Web: www.footpath-holidays.com
Ardenbeg Bunkhouse and Outdoor Centre
From winter skills courses to summer day
trips, welcomes individuals and groups
Grant Road, Grantown on Spey PH26 3LD
Tel: 01479 872824
Fax: 01479 873132
Email: enquiries@ardenbeg.co.uk
Web: www.ardenbeg.co.uk
Wilderness Scotland
walking holidays in the Highlands. Also
combined walking and sailing holidays and
historical journeys.
The Clockhouse, 72 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh
EH6 5QG
Tel: 0131 625 6635
Fax: 0131 625 6636
Email: info@wildernessscotland.com
Web: www.wildernessscotland.com
About Argyll Walking Holidays
Explore Argyll, the Highlands and Hebrides.
Discover history, nature, wild land and
majestic seascapes. Small groups (8 max).
Weeks start Glasgow. Also private guided
itineraries.
Letters Lodge South, Strathlachlan, Argyll
PA27 8BZ
Tel: 01369 860272
Fax: 01369 860272
Email: info@aboutargyll.co.uk
Web: www.aboutargyll.co.uk
Cairngorm Wilderness Walking
Exhilarating walking holidays for all abilities.
Cairngorm Wilderness Walking, Mount View
Hotel, Nethy Bridge
PH25 3EB
Tel: 01479 821248
Fax: 01479 821515
Email: mviewhotel@aol.com
Web: www.cairngormswalking.co.uk
HostelHolidays.com
For walkers of all abilities including Winter
Skills, West Highland Way, Skye Munros
Scottish Youth Hostels Association, 7 Glebe
Crescent, Stirling FK8 2JA
Tel: 08701 553255
Fax: 01786 891336
Email: activities@syha.org.uk
Web: www.hostelholidays.com
C-N-Do Scotland Ltd
guided and self-guided holidays throughout
Scotland. Explore tranquil islands, peaceful
lochs and glens or Mountains and Munros.
32 Stirling Enterprise Park, Springbank
Road, Stirling FK7 7RP
Tel: 01786 445703
Fax: 01786 445703
Email: info@cndoscotland.com
Web: www.cndoscotland.com
Rob Roy Tours Ltd
Walking-cultural-wildlife tours - combining
walking, culture, history, wildlife, good
food, friendly hotels and meeting the natives;
Deutsch, Francais spoken.
Klaus Frommel, 630 Lanark Road, Edinburgh
EH14 5EW
Tel: 01620 850408
Fax: 01620 850408
Email: urlaub@robroytours.com
Web: www.robroytours.com
Rua Reidh
walking in the Wester Ross national scenic
area and Western Isles - programmes suiting
all abilities
Melvaig, Gairloch IV21 2EA
Tel: 01445 771263
Fax: 01445 771263
Email: ruareidh@netcomuk.co.uk
Web: www.ruareidh.co.uk
Mountain Innovations
qualified guides and instructors. All inclusive
Deshar Road, Boat of Garten PH24 3BN
Tel: 01479 831331
Fax: 01479 831331
Email: info@scotmountain.co.uk
Web: www.scotmountain.co.uk
Walkabout Scotland
Guided hillwalking and hiking tours from
Edinburgh to the Scottish Highlands. Day
tours, weekend breaks and week-long holidays.
Small informal groups
2 Rossie Place, Edinburgh EH7 5SG
Tel: 0131 661 7168
Fax: 0131 661 8162
Email: hikes@walkaboutscotland.com
Web: www.walkaboutscotland.com
North West Frontiers
guided walking holidays in the wild west
of Scotland.
18A Braes, Ullapool IV26 2SZ
Tel: 01854 612628
Fax: 01854 612628
Email: info@nwfrontiers.com
Web: www.nwfrontiers.com
Caledonian Discovery Ltd
Highlands of Scotland, Great Glen Way Walking/Cruise.
Accommodation aboard a barge
Annat Slipway, Corpach, Fort William PH33
7NB
Tel: 01397 772167
Fax: 01397 772765
Email: info@fingal-cruising.co.uk
Web: www.fingal-cruising.co.uk
Wendell's Mountain Skills-Scotland
Private and group guided walks, skills courses
summer and winter. All inclusive hotel accomodation
in the mountains and hills of Scotland
40 Linister Crescent, Howwood, Renfrewshire
PA9 1DS
Tel: 01505 706446
Email: wendell@hillskills.co.uk
Web: www.hillskills.co.uk
Wild About Scotland
easy walks, great food, stunning scenery
and visits to historic sites. Professional,
tailored, and eco-friendly.
3 (2F3) Largo Place, Edinburgh EH6 4AG
Tel: 0131 478 0435
Email: info@WildAboutScotland.co.uk
Web: www.WildAboutScotland.co.uk
Walk Wild Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park.
Guided walking day trips with small groups,
boat rides, islands, delicious picnics,
free transport.
High Auchmar, Drymen
G63 0AG
Tel: 01360 870 476
Email: info@walkwildlochlomond.co.uk
Web: www.walkwildlochlomond.co.uk
Explore NW Scotland & beyond
Wild Camping, Bothying, Remote Beaches,
Rugged Mountain Walks, Mulled Wine heated
on an open fire.
65 Cradlehall Park, Westhill, Inverness
IV2 5DA
Tel: 0044(0)77489 75638
Email: richgknotts@vodafone.net
Web: www.explorenwscotland.co.uk
Spirit of the Hills
guided walking holidays for all levels
PO Box 5563, Glasgow G52 3YG
Tel: 01462 433700
Fax: 01462 433700
Email: gordon@spiritofthehills.com
Web: www.spiritofthehills.com
Outdoor Dimensions Scotland
Guided walking holidays all over Scotland
including Skye, Torridon, Glencoe. Backpacking
to the Cairngorms and Ben Alder. Rock climbing
courses. Winter skills. Tailor made packages.
9B Kinnaird Street, Friockheim, Angus DD11
4TJ
Tel: 01241 828629
Fax: 01241 828629
Email: info@outdim.demon.co.uk
Web: www.outdim.demon.co.uk
HF Holidays
Enjoy guided and self-guided walking holidays
Imperial House, The Hyde, London NW9 5AL
Tel: 020 8905 9558
Fax: 020 8205 0506
Email: reservations@hfholidays.co.uk
Web: www.hfholidays.co.uk
Expedition Scotland
A range of walking and trekking holidays
in the Highlands. Programmes to suit walkers
of all abilities.
2 Charles street, Inverness IV2 3AQ
Tel: 01463 231884
Fax: 01463 231884
Email: info@expeditionscotland.com
Web: www.expeditionscotland.com
Contours Walking holidays
Guided and self-led walking holidays in
the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Tours
include West Highland Way, Great Glen Way,
Skye, Mull and more.
Smithy House, Stainton CA11 0ES
Tel: 01768 867539
Fax: 01768 892171
Email: info@contours.co.uk
Web: www.contours.co.uk
Skye Walking holidays
Relaxed holidays taking in scenery and community
and culture of Skye. Week and weekend walking
holidays.
Trotternish, Isle of Skye IV51 9UF
Tel: 01470 552369
Fax: 01470 552301
Email: info@skyewalks.co.uk
Web: www.skyewalks.co.uk
Active outdoor pursuits
Guided day walks, walking holidays, expeditions
and courses Throughout Scotland, all year
round.
Craigower Lodge, Golf course Road, Newtonmore
PH20 1AT
Tel: 08450 505052
Fax: 08450 505053
Email: info@activeoutdoorpursuits.com
Web: www.activeoutdoorpursuits.com
Walk Deeside Ltd
Guided walking holidays in the heart of
Royal Deeside - the Eastern gateway to the
Cairngorms.
1 Balnastraid Cottages, Dinnet, Aboyne AB34
5NE
Tel: 01339 880081
Fax: 01339 880081
Email: info@walkdeeside.com
Web: www.walkdeeside.com
INDEPENDENT
WALKERS
If you are planning an independent walking
holiday trip through Scotland you need to
be prepared. Here are some handy hints and
absolute essentials:
- comfortable, well cusioned footwear suitable
for the terrain you will be walking on and
that you have walked in before over some
distance (don't bring new shoes!)
- extra snack food and water (it can be
a long way between towns in some parts,
particularly if you get marooned with an
injury or lost).
- pack light! You can buy extra food as
you go and you really only need basic walking
gear and a change of clothes for evenings
in town.
- maps (detailed for side roads and routes
that you might take)
- itinerary - give someone a copy of your
itinerary and check in with them every few
days so they know you are okay.
- learn a little Scottish for essential use
in small towns.
- helpful hints - there are lots of people
that have walked through Scotland and a lot
of them have put up details on websites.
Check the useful links below for some stories
and advice.
MAPS
A range of maps are available through stores
like www.amazon.co.uk in the Lonely Planet series for example. Take a good map
with you and make sure you know how to read
it.
DESTINATIONS
Read below for some walking holiday suggestions.
Please email your walking tips, stories
and tales to scotland@backpackglobe.com
North of Glasgow
Quick and easy walks from Ben Lomond to
the Mugdock Country Park.
Callender and The Trossachs
Delightful walks, including Ben A'an, Callander
Crags and Bracklinn Fall. From this area
you can access the Queen Elizabeth Forest
Park, Lochearnhead, Strathyre and Balquhidder.
Lochside Walk
Walking by Scotland's lochs is the best
way to discover the Scottish landscape,
especially from the north and west shores
of Loch Katrine in the Trossachs.
Glencoe
Known as the Coire Gabhail, (the Hidden
Valley), this walk is tucked into the mountains
of Glencoe and offers stunning scenery.
Coastal Walk
Walk from village to village, from Earlsferry
to Crail on the Fife or along the expansive
coastal areas such as Galloway, the Borders
coastline, Aberdeenshire and Moray in North
East Scotland, or on the Orkney and Shetland
Isles.
Moorland Walk
The Southern Uplands, Argyll, the far North
or parts of the Western Isles have many
varied moorland walks.
Orkney & Shetland
The Hebrides
Northern Highlands Cape Wrath Trail
Runs from Fort William to Cape Wrath. Not
a formal route but has become popular.
Western Highlands & Skye Cape
Wrath Trail
Runs from Fort William to Cape Wrath. Not
a formal route but has become popular.
Great Glen Way
Scotland's newest National Long Distance
Route connects Fort William with Inverness
along a 117 km / 73 mile route passing the
famous Loch Ness.
West Highland Way
Scotland’s original long distance
path. The 152 km / 95 mile route covers
a variety of terrain from the city of Glasgow
to Fort William in the heart of the West
Highlands.
Cairngorms National Park Speyside
Way
Runs from Buckie on the Moray Coast to Aviemore.
North East Scotland Formartine and
Buchan Way
Runs north from the outskirts of Aberdeen
to the towns of Peterhead and Fraserburgh
along the route of the old Buchan railway.
The full route is a total of 62 km / 39
miles to Peterhead or 66 km / 41 miles to
Fraserburgh.
Speyside Way
Runs from Buckie on the Moray Coast to Aviemore.
Argyll & the Isles Cowal Way
Follows a route through Argyll’s Cowal
peninsula from Portavadie to Ardgartan.
The West Island Way
The newest and shortest route and follows
a 42km / 26 mile route through the rolling
countryside of the Isle of Bute.
Loch Lomond & Trossachs National
Park Rob Roy Way
Aa weeks walk across the Southern Highlands
of Scotland from Drymen on the West Highland
Way to the Perthshire town of Pitlochry.
Depending on route choice the distance is
between 127Km / 79 miles and 148Km / 92
miles.
Perthshire, Angus and Fife Cateran
Trail
The Cateran Trail, named after an ancient
warlike tribe is a circular route into the
Perthshire mountains from Blairgowrie. The
full route is 96 km / 60 miles long.
Fife Coastal Path
The Fife Coastal Path will eventually provide
a route between the Forth and the Tay bridges.
At present it is complete from North Queensferry
to Crail – a distance of 72 km / 45
miles.
Central Scotland
Southern Scotland Borders Abbey
Way
Still being constructed but will eventually
form a circular route of approx. 103 km
/ 65 miles, connecting the four great Border
Abbeys.
Isle of Arran Coastal Way
A circular walk around the Isle of Arran.
The 104 km / 65 mile route follows the coast
but also includes two inland options.
Sir Walter Scott Way
A 148 Km / 92 mile varied and attractive
route across the eastern borders of Scotland.
Steeped in historical connections with one
of Scotland’s greatest writers it
runs from Moffat to the east coast village
of Cockburnspath.
Southern Upland Way
Scotland’s longest long distance path.
The 340 km / 212 mile route crosses Southern
Scotland from Portpatrick in the West to
Cockburnspath in the East.
St Cuthbert’s Way
A 100 km / 63 mile cross-border route connecting
the border town of Melrose with the island
of Lindisfarne in England. The varied terrain
includes heather hills, woodland & coastal
sections.
