Scottish Wild Country Backpacking

Originally from the Sussex coast, Peter Edwards lives in Rhenigidale on the Isle of Harris with his wife and their Labradors. David Lintern is an award-winning photographer and writer. He came late to the outdoors: he reached 'escape velocity' in his forties and now lives in Strath Spey with his young family. Stefan Durkacz cut his backpacking teeth in the Cairngorms and continues to explore far and wide throughout the Scottish hills. He lives in Edinburgh with his wife, two daughters and dog.

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 Bh&##xe0;n

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 R&##xe8;asort 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