Scottish Wild Country Backpacking

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30 wild and challenging backpacking routes in Scotland. Aimed at experienced and self-reliant backpackers, routes are between 2 and 4 days long and traverse the remotest, wildest and most spectacular landscapes the Highlands and Islands have to offer. The book also covers equipment, access, weather, safety and first aid.

Cicerone says: 

Stunning backpacking routes in the Scottish Highlands and Islands are covered in this inspiring, large-format guidebook. 30 routes are described, ranging from 1-4 days, with most suitable for a long weekend. The routes are divided between the Western Highlands and Inner Hebrides, the Central and Eastern Highlands, the Northwest Highlands, the Far North and the Outer Hebrides. They are suitable for those with the experience and self-reliance to navigate proficiently and stay safe in an environment which can easily become inhospitable. Although some routes visit bothies, most call for at least one night’s wild camping. Each walk includes overview data, route description and 1:100,000 mapping and they are illustrated with stunning photos. An introduction offers background information about the Highlands’ rich geology, plants and wildlife and the historical and cultural context of Scotland’s ‘wilderness’. There is also practical information on preparing for an incursion and advice for those looking to expand their experience of wild-country backpacking. The Highlands and Islands of Scotland are home to the most ruggedly beautiful, expansive and challenging backpacking country in the British Isles. This is a land for those who love open spaces, vast horizons, and the domination of nature.

Our Verdict

For nearly 50 years Cicerone have been producing guidebooks on recognised treks, regions, areas and general tips for hikers.

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’re a gram counter you can easily remove sections of the book to take with you making your own ultra-lightweight guidebook with only the essential sections that you require.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Seasons: Most of these routes are great for walking year-round, though of course seasonal adjustments need to be made in terms of equipment and difficulties encountered. Snow, ice, very wet ground and high winds can be issues in winter, autumn and early spring, while midges, deer ticks and dense bracken feature from late-spring through to autumn.
• Centres: Centres include Fort William, Kingussie, Achnashellach, Dalwhinnie, Amhuinnsuidhe, Kinlochbervie, Kylesku, Killilan, Tomintoul, Blair Atholl, Brèinis, Kinuachdrachd, Kinloch, Sligachan, Morvich and Crask.
• 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.
• Must See: Ben Alder, Ben Avon, Mòine Mhòr, Harris Hills, Ardgour, Glen Etive, Killilan, Glen Sligachan and Loch Coruisk, west coast of Jura, Glen Coul and Gleann Dubh, Coulin Forest, Fisherfield Six, Ben Klibreck and Ben Armine, Streap, Ben Mhòr and Hecla, Affric Haute Route, Rùm, Uig Hills

Specifications

• Weight: 890g
• Edition: First
• Number of pages: 208
• Size: 24 x 22 x 1.7cm
• Published: 30 September 2022
• Author: Peter Edwards, David Lintern, Stefan Durkacz

Contents

Map key

Overview map

Route summary table

Introduction

The Scottish Highlands

Wildness and wilderness in a Scottish context

Wildlife

Plants and flowers

Geology

Backpacking in the Highlands

Getting there

Getting around

Equipping for Scotland’s backcountry

Using bothies

Backpacking with dogs

Environmental impact and Leave No Trace

Maps and route-finding

Safety and emergencies

Using this guide

Western Highlands and Inner Hebrides

Route 1 The Glen Etive Five

Route 2 Fort William to Glenfinnan via north Ardgour

Route 3 Streap and Braigh nan Uamhachan

Route 4 The west coast of Jura

Route 5 Around the coast of Rùm

Route 6 Isle of Skye: Glen Sligachan, Loch Coruisk and Camasunary

Central and Eastern Highlands

Route 7 Ben Alder: Tour of the ridges

Route 8 Blair Atholl to Kingussie

Route 9 The Mòine Mhòr Munros

Route 10 Ben Avon and Beinn a’ Bhuird

Route 11 Northeast Cairngorms

Northwest Highlands

Route 12 Inverinate Forest and the Gates of Affric

Route 13 Affric Haute Route

Route 14 Killilan Forest: Sgùman Còinntich, Faochaig, and Aonach Buidhe

Route 15 The Applecross Peninsula: Sgùrr a’ Chaorachain and Beinn Bhàn

Route 16 Achnashellach, Bendronaig and West Monar

Route 17 Coulin Forest

Route 18 The Fannichs

Route 19 Fisherfield and Letterewe

Route 20 Flowerdale Three: Beinn Eoin, Beinn Dearg and Baosbheinn

The Far North

Route 21 The Postie’s Path and the Coigach group

Route 22 Glencoul, Gleann Dubh and Beinn Leòid

Route 23 Ben Klibreck and the Ben Armine Forest

Route 24 Around Strath Dionard

Route 25 Cape Wrath, Sandwood Bay and the Parph

Outer Hebrides

Route 26 A circuit of Mingulay

Route 27 Hecla, Beinn Mhòr and South Uist’s wild east coast

Route 28 Harris Hills, Loch Rèasort and Cravadale

Route 29 Isle of Lewis: Uig Hills and coast

Route 30 Isle of Lewis: Pairc Peninsula

Appendix A Table of Munros and Corbetts

Appendix B Glossary

Appendix C Further reading