How do I plan a walk in Scotland?

Question

me and some friends are considering going on a walk for a few days somewhere in scotland. Anyone know agood way to plan routes and stuff like that? Like linking a few towns together so that we can walk to them over the course of a few days , which towns have walking routes between them up north? them all? as you can tell im an amatuer, i need a little help

Answer 1

Here is one suggestion: http://www.infohub.com/TRAVEL/SIT/sit_pages/15145.html

This is another really great site: http://www.cndoscotland.com/

And one more lovely site:
http://www.ramblers.com/aboutscot.shtml

It looks like a great way to see the country. Have fun!

Answer 2

Good for you! Walking is a great way to explore a country and to get away from tourists and off the beaten path. I think you will thoroughly enjoy your trip if you do a little bit of homework. I've been on several walking tours and did most of the planning by myself.

There are probably books you can buy with itineraries and information. Might want to check a local travel store. One that I recommend is Wide World of Maps. You could probably do a search on the web also - but probably want to actually look at the book and thumb through the pages to see if it has what you need.

A couple of ideas for you - contact the Scotland Tourist Board and they will have suggestions on routes and accommodations
http://walking.visitscotland.com/

I used to work for a company that sold walking tours and two of the paths that were recommended were the Speyside Way and the Highland Way. Check out http://www.eeitravel.com/site/pub_detail.asp?iDept=332&id=8286&iFrom=3/1/2006
http://www.eeitravel.com/site/pub_detail.asp?iDept=332&id=8287&iFrom=4/1/2006

The challenging part when you are planning it yourself is to transfer your luggage. An organized tour operator would do this for you. But, as you want to do on your own - can either take a small bag that is easy to manage for the walking part and leave the rest of your luggage at the hotel and return to that same hotel after the tour OR base yourself in one town / village and take local walks in the countryside and return to the same hotel every night. Personally, I like walking from hotel to hotel / village to village.

Look at the companies that sell walking tours on the internet and check out their itineraries. You should be able to plan your own based on their descriptions and with the help of the tourist board, a good map and the hotel where you are staying - you should be good to go.

Make sure you take sturdy walking shoes as the terrain can be a bit rocky. Take some layers as weather in Scotland can be unpredictable and I wouldn't plan a walking tour in August!

Walking tours are very popular in Scotland and they have very good paths / trails. I doubt you will have a problem. You could always invite me to come along....

Have fun!