Exploring the Highlands and Islands of Scotland
My adventure was supposed to begin in early August, but I’ve grown tired of waiting. Next week I am going to pack my bag and set off to explore the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
I plan to set off from Glasgow at the beginning of the week and walk the West Highland Way to Fort William. The West Highland Way is a long distance walk from the northern outskirts of Glasgow, to the foot of Ben Nevis at Fort William – a total of 95 miles. The Route follows the shores of Loch Lomond, passing Ben Lomond, through Strathfillan, crossing Rannoch Moor, past Buachaille Etive Mor to the head of Glencoe, climbing the Devil’s Staircase and crossing the River Leven at the head of Loch Leven before entering Lairigmor and Glen Nevis. It should take around 6 days of walking to complete, I will need to plan the daily distances based upon where I intend to spend the night as campsites and accommodation are several miles apart. I’m not sure if I’ll be taking a tent with me yet, I may just opt for staying in hostels, bunkhouse and bothies along the way.
After reaching Fort William, I would like to head towards the Hebridean islands which are located in the north west. Ferries operate between Skye, Lewis, Harris and Uist so along with a pass from ferry operator Calmac, island hopping should be fairly easy. It should be possible to explore them all by bike so I am planning to hire one in Portree on the Isle of Skye. I have visited Skye once before, but I have never been to any of the other Hebridean islands. I have also never visited Orkney or the Shetlands both of which are off the north east coast, so if time permits I would like to visit them too.
I am looking at this as a good opportunity to try out my luggage before setting off on my round the world trip. I will be packing my rucksack with the same things that I intend to take with me for the year so after a few weeks I should be in a good position to reasses what I’m taking before leaving the country. It is however Scotland, the weather can go through four seasons in a day, so I’ll be including a few additional items of warmer clothing too!
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Ach, I’m jealous! I was meant to visit Skye in April — we have a house there — but it fell through at the last minute. Very lame! I don’t think Skye is very close to Orkney though… I hope you don’t try to walk that one
My current thinking is to get a bus from Ullapool to Inverness to Scrabster and get a ferry to Orkney from there.
Good luck with the West Highland Way. My Oh and his brother did it a few months ago and they literally could not walk for a week afterwards. It was MUCH harder than they thought (but then they did drink a lot of cider along the way which probably didn’t help)
I’ve walked half of the west highland way. It was the most mentally relaxing holiday I’ve ever been on. Really great. I had a book but, I loaned it to someone. I had a spreadsheet of campsites and facilities but, I’ve not got it now…. I don’t think. Of course I hope I don’t because that is far too nerdy!!
Good look on your long journey on foot looks like you have a bet of hard walking to do.. would be great if you post it on a map for us who don’t know where exactly you are going.. would be nice to see it on google satellite or something.. hopefully we will be able to see lots of photos later.. good luck!
the weeks leading up make you so impatient…..sadly i worked right to the end date so i couldnt just go away but im glad u are on your way