The Scottish National Trail - Garrygualach to Cluanie

Distance: 13 miles/10 hours

Yet another long day on the trail as I walk 14 miles and climb 669m across the hills to Cluanie, where I find an ideal camping spot beside the river. It was pitch dark when I arrived so it's a good job I always carry my head torch.  I took a walk down to the Cluanie Inn where they were kind enough to give me some fresh drinking water which I used to make my noodles once I got back to my tent.

The Scottish National Trail - Loch Lochy to Garrygualach

Distance: 15 miles/8 hours

The journey continues as I leave Loch Lochy behind and head for the abandoned farmhouse at Garrygualach (no longer abandoned).  I walk approximately 16 miles, with 5 extra miles added due to the location of my overnight camp which was off the route.  I arrive at the farmhouse to find it under renovation and after a quick look in a private bothy, I find a small camping area by the river.

The Scottish National Trail - Blackburn bothy to Loch Lochy

Blackburn of Corrieyairack bothy to Loch Lochy 
11 miles/7 hours

Click on bottom right of video to view full screen

I set off from Fort Augustus after descending from Blackburn bothy.
Upon arrival in the village, I have a stroll down to Loch Ness and then stock up on supplies before I begin to follow the Caledonian Canal towards Laggan Locks, following the old Invergarry railway line along the banks of Loch Oich.

In the second half of the video I stop for lunch at Loch Oich before continuing along the old railway line to Invergarry Station where I rejoin the canal towpath and continue on the Great Glen Way to Laggan Locks. From Laggan locks I continue to follow the Great Glen Way for a short distance to reach a fine camping spot at Loch Lochy, a few miles short of Mandally.

The Scottish National Trail - Glen Almond to Aberfeldy

Glen Almond to Aberfeldy - 20 miles/12 hours

I cover the next 20 miles between Glen Almond and Aberfeldy, joining back up with the Rob Roy Way (Amulree alternative) and passing Loch Freuchie.  I stop for Noodles at a random shooting hut before descending into Aberfeldy where I set up camp by the River Tay.

The Scottish National Trail - Comrie to Glen Almond

Comrie (Water of Ruchill) to Glen Almond - 16 miles/11 hours

Following the Walkhighlands description I continue on the trail towards Loch Freuchie, re-joining the Rob Roy Way at Glen Almond.  I pass through the village of Comrie for supplies and quick lunch stop before heading back into the hills.
I spend the evening camping in the beautiful Glen Almond.  16 miles approx.

The Scottish National Trail - Drymen to Callander

Drymen to Loch Venachar/Callander - 18 miles/10 hours

On the second day of my trip, I walked approximately 18 miles between Drymen and Callander, passing through the small town of Aberfoyle.  I later found a nice camping spot by Loch Venachar (2 miles from Callander) but had to pay for the privilege of using it due to the new Loch Lomond National Park byelaws. 

Cape Wrath Fail - Day 2

I make my way through Glenfinnan, Glen Pean and Glen Dessary covering 12 miles and climbing to a height of 598m to eventually arrive at A'Chuil bothy.  I stop for a Coffee break at Corryhully bothy.  The plan was to stay in A'Chuil bothy but there was already 4 people inside using both rooms so I settled for another night under the stars. Another guy called Blake from the U.S. (also walking to Cape Wrath) turned up and found a camping spot further down.

The Scottish National Trail - Kingussie to Laggan

The Scottish National Trail - Kingussie to Laggan / 19 miles

I walk the next 14 miles of the trail to Laggan, with an extra 6 miles added on (between bothy and next camping spot).   I pass through Glen Banchor where I stop for a late lunch at the bothy before descending to Laggan to find a place to camp. 

The second half of the evening sees me following the River Spey to find an excellent camping spot by the Spey dam.  It stays dry and I'm able to make a small campfire so I can have my Hot Chocolate.

The Scottish National Trail - Glen Feshie to Kingussie

Glen Feshie to bothy near Kingussie / 19 miles

The next stage of the Scottish National Trail sees me heading towards the small town of Kingussie.
I carry on up the Feshie and take a detour into the village of Kincraig, visiting Loch Insh and the Watersports Centre before taking another detour to a secret bothy hidden on the hill. A long day covering approx 20 miles.

The Scottish National Trail - Bynack Lodge to Glen Feshie

Bynack Lodge to Glen Feshie (13 miles, 7 hours)

I continue to walk the next 13 miles of the trail from Bynack ruin to the stunning Glen Feshie, where I look back on some past memories.  I set up camp beside a popular bothy, which unfortunately was closed for renovation.

The Scottish National Trail - Blair Atholl to Bynack

The Scottish National Trail is a 536 mile/864 km-long long distance walking route running the length of Scotland from Kirk Yetholm to Cape Wrath.

The Trail offers very varied walking, following long-established footpaths for much of the distance but becoming progressively more difficult as it heads north, finishing with a tough stretch of backpacking - with some pathless and demanding terrain - on the final stretch of the Cape Wrath Trail.

In Summer 2017 I spent several weeks completing sections of the Scottish National Trail.
My original plan for 2017 was to backpack the whole of the trail but due to lack of funding I could only manage sections where wild camping was an option.

I ventured out on three separate occasions and completed the route over the course of 15 days, as follows:

Trip 1 - Blair Atholl to Fort Augustus (6 days, 5 nights)
Trip 2 - Milngavie to Pitlochry (6 days, 5 nights)
Trip 3 - Fort Augustus to Morvich (5 days, 5 nights)

Along the way I made a video diary/vblog which you can view here on my blog.

 16 MILES / 8 HOURS

I continue my walk on the Scottish National Trail, after catching a train to Blair Atholl. 
I spend the first evening camping in Glen Tilt.
The next day I follow the river Tilt through Glen Tilt, deep into the Cairngorms National Park to eventually reach Bynack Lodge ruin where I set up my next camp.

Southern Upland Way - Watch Water Reservoir to Cocksburnpath

The Southern Upland Way is Scotland's first and only official coast-to-coast long distance route, running across the country from the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea. From Portpatrick on the west coast the route runs 341 kilometres to Cove and Cockburnspath on the east coast.

Date walked: 12/05/2017
Time taken: 14 hours
Distance: 45 km
Ascent: 574m

I walked the last 20 miles to Cocksburnpath and finally completed the Southern Upland Way, spending the final night camping on the edge of a Graveyard.
The following day I had to walk an extra 10 miles along the coast to reach Dunbar (John Muir link) where I could catch a train to Edinburgh.

Southern Upland Way - St Mary's Loch to Minch Moor

The Southern Upland Way is Scotland's first and only official coast-to-coast long distance route, running across the country from the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea. From Portpatrick on the west coast the route runs 341 kilometres to Cove and Cockburnspath on the east coast.

Date walked: 09/05/2017
Time taken: 7 hours
Distance: 18.75 km
Ascent: 823m

I returned to St Mary's Loch/Loch of the Lowes to continue and complete my journey on the Southern Upland Way. I camped at Loch of the Lowes with Mr Globetrotter before setting off in the morning, solo.

I walked the length of St Mary's Loch and paid a visit to Dryhope Tower before popping over the summit of Blake Muir. I eventually passed through Traquair and continued to Minch Moor, hoping to find a suitable area for wild camping by the old Minch Moor Bothy. The bothy was long gone (demolished) and the ground around it wasn't the best for camping on so I carried on a little further to the edge of the forest where I found an adequate spot for camping just off the path.

Southern Upland Way - Wanlockhead to Moffat

The Southern Upland Way is Scotland's first and only official coast-to-coast long distance route, running across the country from the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea. From Portpatrick on the west coast the route runs 341 kilometres to Cove and Cockburnspath on the east coast.

Time taken: 13 hours
Distance: 31.25 km
Ascent: 1005m

I continue my hike on the Southern Upland Way, Sanquhar to Moffat, after a peaceful night camping by Wanlockwater.

I pass through the village of Wanlockhead and have to climb the Lowther Hill to a height of 725m.
But that is just the start of the adventure, as the next few hours consist of many ups and downs across the hills until you reach 1005m.  I'd hoped to visit the Shop/Cafe at Wanlockhead Visitor Centre on my way out but unfortunately it doesn't open until 12.

Once The hills were thankfully are out of the way, I made my way to Brattleburn Bothy where I set up camp outside.  The bothy was unfortunately occupied but it didn't stop me going inside for a quick chat and a Hot Chocolate before bedtime.

The next morning I traverse the last few miles towards Beattock, following the busy A road into Moffat where I was picked up by a friend.  The next section, Beattock to St Mary's Loch was completed in 2016, so I skipped this and got a ride up to St. Mary's Loch/Loch of the Lowes.

Southern Upland Way - Sanquhar to Wanlockhead

The Southern Upland Way is Scotland's first and only official coast-to-coast long distance route, running across the country from the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea. From Portpatrick on the west coast the route runs 341 kilometres to Cove and Cockburnspath on the east coast.

I return to Sanquhar in a mission to complete the remaining sections of the Southern Upland Way.

I leave Sanquhar on a sunny afternoon, heading East, my mission to complete the remaining sections of the Southern Upland Way and make it to Cocksburnpath on the East Coast of Scotland.

The path was easy going except for a few boggy patches and some awkward hills.
Due to lambing season I had to follow the diversion route at Cogshead which extended the walk by about one hour. I arrived at Wanlockwater just after 7pm where I pitched the tent for the night, before taking a short stroll into the village the next morning.

Southern Upland Way - Bargrennan to Dalry

The Southern Upland Way is Scotland's first and only official coast-to-coast long distance route, running across the country from the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea. From Portpatrick on the west coast the route runs 341 kilometres to Cove and Cockburnspath on the east coast.

Date walked: 19/04/2017
Distance: 39.75 km
Ascent: 658m

A 25 mile walk on the Southern Upland Way from Bargrennan to Dalry. 
In this first video I walk 10 miles to White Laggan bothy, passing through Glen Trool in the Galloway Forest Park.

In the second part of the video, I leave White Laggan bothy behind to follow the 15 mile path to Dalry.  I stop overnight at Clatteringshaws Loch before making my way into Dalry the following morning where a familiar face awaits.

The Kelvin Walkway - Glasgow to Milngavie

The Kelvin Walkway extends the West Highland Way south to the centre of Glasgow, from Milngavie to Glasgow Heliport on the north bank of the River Clyde, where it can be linked to the longer Clyde Walkway that continues south from the city. The route follows, as much as possible, the three rivers of the Allander, Kelvin and Clyde, to form a 'green link' from the bustling city to the countryside.

Date walked: 07/04/2017
Time taken: 5 hours
Distance: 20 km
Ascent: 167m

Started the Kelvin Walkway from the city centre, adding approximately 3 miles to the route featured on WalkHighlands. Once at the Riverside Museum we had a quick look around the museum before setting off.

We stopped at Greggs on Gibson Street for a late lunch before following the River Kelvin. The path was deserted after passing Acre, it got very quiet as we reached Allander water for the last few miles to Milngavie. Got to Milngavie about half past 6 and went for a pint in the Talbot Arms.

A wintery walk up Criffel

Date walked: 05/01/2017
Time taken: 4 hours
Distance: 12 km
Ascent: 607m

My first hill walk of 2017.
A very cold hill walk with Mr Globetrotter.
We followed the circular route described here on Walkhighlands, setting off from Sweetheart Abbey about 11am.

A quick visit to the local store then we were on our way.

After following the description as far as the link up point, we somehow began following signs to Criffel instead of the description and ended up going up the way we were supposed to come down, passing over Knockendock.

It took us about 3 hours to reach the summit, it stayed clear and dry but the temperature was a bit chilly at 1 degrees celcius. We enjoyed a quick Coffee and biscuit at the top before heading down the same way we came. We chose not to go the other route (the way we were supposed to come up) just in case we got it wrong again.

We were back at the Abbey by about half past 3.

Ben Nevis on a clear day

Date walked: 08/10/2016
Time taken: 6 hours
Distance: 17 km
Ascent: 1352m

I spent 6 days completing the West Highland Way. On the seventh day, I ascended Ben Nevis.  It took me 6 hours in total from Glen Nevis campsite, following the mountain path route described on Walkhighlands website.

The weather had miraculously been great all week, perfect conditions for going up Ben Nevis for some clear views at the top. Much better than my previous visit in 2011 when it rained most of the way up and there was zero visibility at the top.

I spent the last hour and a half descending in darkness, good job I took the head torch! 
It felt cool to be one of the torches coming down the hill instead of just the usual spectator watching from the Glen.

The West Highland Way - Day 6

I completed the West Highland Way for the third time, during the first week in October 2016, backpacking, carrying all my gear, camping throughout.  It was the first time I've been camping in October but it was quite mild, infact the weather was great and it miraculously stayed dry for the whole week.

I planned to do things different this time by wild camping throughout most of the trip. 

Day 6 & 7
Kinlochleven to Fort William – 16 miles

On day 6, I walked 16 miles from Kinlochleven to Glen Nevis campsite on the outskirts of Fort William where I got refused table service at the Glen Nevis restaurant because they didn't like the look of me!

On the final day I continued into Fort William and completed the West Highland Way.