Julia Bradbury recently published her tips on what to pack for walking holidays in the Express. We thought we’d compare our packing lists. Let’s have a look at Julia’s top picks.
This is not by any means intended to be a comprehensive kit list. Don’t use it to pack for your next walking break, but we just wanted to highlight one or two things which have been essential on our own trips plus have a quick look at items we’d consider non-essential/luxury items as we think it’s essential to have something in your pack which gives you some additional pleasure at the end of the day.
First up on Julia’s walking holiday packing list are waterproofs. “Wherever you’re going, whatever your destination, pack your waterproofs,”
It seems obvious to an experienced walker that you should always pack your waterproofs, particularly if you are an experienced walker in the UK. You expect the weather to change. However, if most of your walking has been done in a continental climate, you might be forgiven for expecting the weather to be consistent. On our recent holiday in the Sierra Nevada (Spain), we did meet some hikers (even on the highest peak, Mulhacen, at over 3000m) who set out without waterproofs.
Lack of suitable clothing could cause you to have to turn back from your objective.
Be a scout when it comes to a hiking vacation and “be prepared”.
Julia also emphasises the importance of good walking boots – and you might want to consider investing in more than one pair.
“Make sure you’ve got the right kind of boots for the terrain you’re going to be walking through,”
“If you’re going for a boot that will suit all walks then an ankle boot is vital,” she said.
It might seem obvious to talk about boots for a walking trip, but not everyone thinks to pack walking boots. There are many who think that trainers will do. There are also extensive discussions and debates online in various walking/hiking forums as to the benefits and disadvantages of boots versus walking shoes. Those who have opinions either way are quite vociferous about the benefits on their side of the argument.
The most important thing is that your feet are comfortable.
Uncomfortable feet is the worst experience you could have if you’re committed to a hiking vacation. Feet can be uncomfortable in different ways but in our experience along with boots an essential item to pack is foot cream.
Another option is approach shoes which are becoming more popular. These are good for rough track terrain but not for steep inclines.
She added: “It’s good to have them in your backpack if you get your boots wet or you cross a river or your feet get wet for whatever reason.”
A second pair of footwear is in our opinion essential to the comfort of your feet. The last thing you want to do after a day out hiking in your main boots is to put them back on to go out in the evening
You must look after your feet as they are bearing the burden all day and to keep going you need to pamper them.
WHERE WE START TO DISAGREE
A more surprising item Julia likes to take is a tinted lip balm. “It gives you sun protection and a splash of colour on the lips as well.”
are also a must for a walking holiday, said Julia.
The walking enthusiast also advises taking a single strap rucksack, and weighing scales.
We’d have to agree with Julia’s top 2 picks. It seems really obvious to pack your boots and waterproofs if you’re heading off for a walking holiday (particularly if your destination is Scotland) but believe me sometimes people leave out the water/windproofs if they think they’re heading off to a warm destination, but if you’re going mountain walking anywhere you should always be prepared for the weather to turn.
On our recent trip to Spain there were other walkers who were caught out by the weather turning on Mulhacen. We all walked up in glorious sunshine, but woke up to drizzle. The higher up the mountain we went, the windier and colder it became. Those without waterproofs really suffered in the wind.
Dachstein mitts don’t necessarily mean that you won’t be able to use a compass or to navigate, as shown by our director Andy Bateman
For the other 3 items – are they really necessary? Are there other more important things you should make sure you have first?
Our top tips to you personally would be:
bring a map and if you have one a GPS &/or compass
Even on a guided trip it is useful to have your own map. These days you can quite easily get digital mapping on your phone. Personally we don’t like to rely on this as we don’t have the most up-to-date phones and the screen size can be really irritating. It is useful to be able to enlarge portions of the map though, especially as your eyes start to find the small print a bit more of a strain. However, if you’re going to rely on digital images, make sure you have an extra power pack for your phone. Personally this would rank higher up on our own list than flipflops or lip balm.
Because we can’t go on holiday in the main summer season (a dream for the future maybe), and therefore we are almost always away in October, we always pack gloves and hat. If you’re travelling in the main part of the summer season we’d recommend always packing a sunhat and sunscreen (even in Scotland) but not necessarily a midge net. Check our blog on how to have a midge free vacation
Be sure to have at least one item for yourself which you would consider a luxury (a bit like Desert Island Discs).
Our luxury items include:
a book/kindle
a knitting project
a teddy (perhaps only a consideration for the youngest member of your group)
chocolate
your favourite hiking snack which you buy at home
tea (for the British audience) or your favourite coffee
But don’t forget to leave a wee bit of space (if you can) for souvenirs!
What would your luxury item be?
2019 has been a spectacular season for foraging in the Cairngorms. Scotland’s wild larder should be renowned across the world. Whether you’re by the sea or up in the mountains, foraging in Scotland is bountiful. Our European guests are so jealous. In many parts of Europe mushroom sites are closely guarded secrets and foragers have to be out early to be in with a chance of finding anything.
It’s been unavoidable to see/pick mushrooms and we’ve also been quite lucky with berries etc. The crows are feasting on rowan berries at the moment, which I don’t mind if they leave the strawberries, bilberries and raspberries for us. One of the few benefits of a damp, showery autumn and a coolish summer with bursts of warmth, has been the proliferation of ceps, chanterelles and all kinds of fungi throughout the woods for weeks.
Foraging is a fantastic activity to introduce to your kids – but always make sure you know what you’re doing. An introductory course from a knowledgeable guide is a great way to do this.
This year (2019) has been such a spectacular mushroom season that our larder is over-loaded with dried ceps and boletus. At one point it was impossible to take a walk in the woods, without coming back with several mushrooms. Do be careful though in season to make sure you have knife with you. It is frowned upon not to use a knife to remove the boletus mushrooms when you find them.
Check the mushroom code and make sure you know what you’re doing before you head out on a fungal foray.
Scottish Wildlife Trust – details on how to identify and where to find the Cep
Further details and intro to “Fascinated by Fungi”
These are the most reliable crop of mushrooms in the Cairngorms. We manage to pick some every season and they’re usually up earlier than anything else. A great crop for summer usually up in July and August.
They freeze well and make great soup with some cream and onion. We tend not to dry chanterelle mushrooms. Freezing does make them a wee bit more watery but they are still good in soup and risotto. They maintain their texture well in the freezer.
NB There is a false chanterelle which you also find here in the Cairngorms but there are distinct differences between the 2. If you know what you’re looking for, it’s easy to be sure that you’re picking the right one. We have had guests bring back a whole crop of false chanterelles though, so maybe it’s not obvious to everyone.
This is one of our absolute favourites. There’s always too much to eat in one go and it dries a treat. The taste is relatively mild but it has an amazing firm texture completely unlike any commercial mushroom. It is great in mushroom soup, risotto, mushroom pie, venison or beef casserole in fact it is a substantial mushroom which can be cooked in virtually any mushroom recipe, including risotto.
These fungi only appear one at a time. You’ll never find a cluster as you can do with virtually all other fungi we’ve learnt to identify. They are so large it must take all the plant’s energy to produce one.
We don’t come across a cauliflower fungus every year, despite checking the site where it was previously found. It’s such a huge investment by the plant to produce such a large “fruit” that it needs perfect conditions to put one up.
The only down side is that the cleaning can be a bit of a faff – but at least you can wash it as it doesn’t absorb much water, but it helps to shake it upside down before you take it home to minimise the bugs.
We don’t find this one as often as we’d like. It’s a great firm edible mushroom.
Further details and help with identification
If you’d like to gain more confidence in your mushroom identification, enquire with us for a foraging day. There are many other foraging options which go alongside the mushrooms including a plethora of wild berries.
One of the questions we get asked most frequently from guests at Fraoch Lodge is a walk recommendation. Our accommodation guests are looking for short walks in the Cairngorms which they can complete without a guide.
People will be looking for all kinds of walks – some without much ascent; some without much time commitment. However, most people are looking for a good viewpoint.
We’ve picked out some of our favourites here, but do bear in mind that walks which are most accessible are also most popular. You might not be on your own, but you still won’t be part of a crowd.
This is virtually the most popular walk in the are, but for a reason. Not only is it very accessible, with clear waymarked paths, but it’s also in Glenmore just a few minutes drive from the centre of Aviemore and accessible by public bus.
Beautiful views and a clear path on the ascent of Meall a’Bhuacaille
We usually park by Glenmore Lodge and start the walk here. The path starts from the end of the road and heads up past the Green Lochan and on to Ryvoan Bothy. At the bothy you can take a break and check the bothy out before starting the climb up the hill. It is a steep path which zigzags backwards and forwards along the hillside before levelling out towards the top of the hill. Bear mind before you set out that no matter how warm it is before you set out, it could be pretty breezy on the summit and you should always have an extra layer with you in case you stop for a wee bit on the top to take in the view.
From the summit, you head down to a coll where the path splits. You can continue along the ridge to further summits like Craiggowrie, or you can head down on the basic circuit into Glenmore. The path ends up at the Glenmore Forest Visitor Centre and Cafe, near the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, where you can pick up the walking track back to Glenmore Lodge.
More detailed walk description
Right next to one of the most popular walks on the Rothiemurchus estate, the wee diversion to the top of Ord Ban is surprisingly quiet. The majority of visitors stick religiously to the wide path circumnavigating Loch an Eilean. This is a beautiful route through some spectacular Caledonian pine forests, which though stunning, doesn’t offer many views above loch level. (NB – if you’re there at the right time of year you’ll be able to snack on wild blueberries as you go around the loch.) If you do go to the top of Ord Ban, you will be rewarded by surprisingly panoramic views.
The joy of this particular walk is that it is not accesible by public transport. It is possible to reach it along the Badenoch Way and you can drive to the start, but you are far more likely to see locals out to stretch their legs or walk the dog, than you are to bump into our visitors to the area. It is particularly beautiful to catch the setting sun here, as you can see in the photos below.
This is a great wee walk with magnificent views of the mountains beyond. There is a marker at the top of the hill which points out what you’re seeing from the top. It’s a circular walk from the centre of town. It takes you up along next to a stream and a wee waterfall to the top of a crag looking out over the whole of Strathspey.
This walk is accessible by public transport though as it starts from Grantown and not Aviemore it is less populara and more likely to offer you unique photo opportunities.
Despite being walking distance from the centre of Aviemore, this walk is surprisingly quiet. It is more than likely that you’ll bump into someone else on the route, but you could walk in your own space most of the way.
We highly recommend this walk if you’ve got a few hours to spare waiting for your train or for pick up in Aviemore. It’s very easy to get to the walk. It starts from the youth hostel in Aviemore. Drop your bags off safely in Aviemore – you should be able to store them at the station, or if you’re lucky the youth hostel might be able to look after them for you. Then take the underpass beneath the A9 and follow the signs for the viewpoint. It’s quite a short walk, and if you have less than an hour to spare you could just walk around the lochans at the bottom of the crag.
There’s a clear path up to the top of the crag for a splendid view across Aviemore and the high Cairngorms beyond. Do be aware though that there is quite some footfall on the path and in winter it can get icy.
The view from the top – 3 generations made it up the hill!
Full details of all these walks plus maps can be found on the Walkhighlands website but you can also pick our brains if you’re staying here. Some of the routes can form part of our self-guided itineraries.
These are just a few of the examples of wee walks you can do when you come for a visit to the Cairngorms National Park. They can be attempted by almost anyone and included in a day when you also visit a distillery or go on another adventure like the Zipwire in Alvie
Scotland is such a mecca for off-road cycling now that if you’ve any interest at all in cycling you really ought to add Scotland to your bucket list. There’s plenty of information out on the web about various different areas and there are options for everyone and all abilities, especially with the increase in the popularity of electric bikes.
The advantage of cycling here in the Cairngorms is that there is such a variety of routes that you can literally take anyone out and about for any length of time.
As with all sports the routes and reports you hear about the most are made by true afficionados. You might never hear about the wee pootles you can do with the kids, or the gentle paths winding through the forests; or the sights you can include on your ride. The sheer choice of off-road track here means that you can cycle for miles without seeing a car or if you want, there are miles of quiet lanes to explore on the road bike.
There are so many options here from the front door and slightly further away, that our main recommendation would be to make sure you allow plenty of time to try out different choices. Maybe start with one of the trail centres to get your eye in, test your skill level, book a guide perhaps to increase your confidence.
From Boat you can try a big ride like the Burma Road, or cycle through to Nethybridge and get the steam train back (or the other way round). You can continue on to Grantown.
Don’t be afraid to explore and make sure you have a map! We have trail maps at Fraoch Lodge and there’s an excellent hire stop in the village: Ride
If you only get to Nethy, stop in at Nethy House to refuel.
If you get to Grantown, try the High Street Merchant (they’re licensed if you fancy a beer and right next door to Two Thirsty Men micro brewery).
This is what I see the most publicity and vibe about here in the Cairngorms at the moment, but that could just be my media bubble filtering through only articles it thinks will interest me. Bikepacking is not new. People have been doing it for years – touring with their bikes. It now has a sexy new name and new gear making better use of the bike frame for carrying equipment to make it easier for you and more streamlined.
The sheer size of the Cairngorms lend themselves to multi-day adventures – on foot or by bike, or even on horseback. Check out some of these adventures recorded on YouTube.
Trail maps – excellent detailed maps for different routes around the Cairngorms including identified hazards and recommended directions for riding the route
Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland – they have developed a guide to all the trail centres in Scotland where you can virtually ride the tracks. There’s also a lot of advice about different trails.
The best mountain bike trails in Scotland (as recommended in Singletrack)
You may have heard of Scotland’s North Coast 500 or NC500. It has become amazingly popular over the past 5 years, despite the fact that really nothing has changed from before. No new roads were created. Someone just came up with a great marketing ploy and it’s worked. Now there are an amazing number of people who want to speed along the roads up north admiring the views from the car. Fortunately though it is still the Empty Quarter of Scotland, including Assynt, and it’s still wild.
It’s said that the Norse Gods practised making mountains here in Assynt. We would agree. It is a stunning area with small but shapely hills. Check out our photos below. All except the first image were taken during our Empty Quarter walking trip, running again in September 2019. You won’t get views quite the same as these from the road.
This first image was taken on a rare night away as a family. We decided to head up to Assynt on an overnight wild camping trip in May. It was breathtaking and refreshing. One night out felt like a week away from home. Highly recommended. The only downside was that there were quite a few ticks around.
We hiked in to a secret wild camping spot on a rare family night away.
Can you believe this is the UK? How many people would believe you if you went home with photos like this.
Hikers descending from a long day’s hike. We had such stunning views on this trip.
The small but stunning hills of Assynt (Scotland). Stac Pollaidh is an absolute classic.
Capturing the light and reflections in Assynt
Spectacular Scottish coastline, Assynt (Scotland)
Heading up the ridge, Assynt (Scotland)
Autumn reflections in Assynt (Northern Scotland)
Standing proud on the ridge in Assynt
Everyone safe on a challenging route.
Spectacular views abound in Assynt even though the mountains are not the grandest in height. This is one of the most iconic peaks in the area which also starred in the movie “Edie” with Sheila Hancock.
It’s no secret that exercise is extraordinarily beneficial to achieving a happy, healthy lifestyle. Extensive research states that exercise not only improves physical health but also works wonders on mental health, and guided hiking health benefits are no different.
Hiking uses some of the body’s biggest muscles resulting in an all-body workout. The legs, doing the grunt work will result in a workout of the gluteus maximus, quadriceps, hamstrings and calves. Hiking also strengthens the back and the abdominal improving overall stamina and endurance.
But it goes deeper then improving physical changes. The physical effort required in uphill walking strengthens the performance of the heart and lungs whilst lowering blood pressure. Studies have also shown that hiking and mountain walking reduces the risk of chronic illnesses, asthma and type 2 diabetes.
Mental health is extremely important and hiking is an amazing tool in benefiting this positively. The physical changes from mountain walking are a great incentive to continue exercising. They also work wonders with improving self-esteem and self-awareness. Due to the heightened mental concentration hiking requires it strengthens mental agility, helps sharpen brain activity and is an amazing stress reliever. And hiking can be challenging. But successfully completing such a strenuous activity gives you a great sense of achievement and a positive headspace.
Group hiking is just another point to put on the pro list. Guided hiking with Scot Mountain Holidays gives you have a leader to follow, eliminating the stress of figuring out where you are and allowing you to fully concentrate on the task at hand. The group aspect also builds social bonds and completing challenges together will develop strong friendships and trust.
The truly great thing about hiking is that not only do you get the fantastic physical, mental and social benefits, but everything is enhanced due to the exposure of the elements. Along with burning calories you will profit from vitamin D, fresh air and more.
For more information on guided walking visit Scot Mountain Holidays and Courses.
The benefits of walking far outweigh many other forms of exercising, including going to the gym.
Top 50 Long Distance Hiking Trails In The USA
19 Physical and Mental benefits of spending time outdoors
We are frequently asked what to pack for a day hike in the Highlands, usually by our guests preparing for their guided walking tour with us. People often ponder on whether they should pack shorts, a sun hat, sunscreen. What gloves to bring etc – the list goes on.
Bear in mind, that if you are planning to head out on your own or at least without a guide, then you will also need to pack the following gear and be familiar with how to use it.
map & compass: you will need a good quality, local, walking map such as Harveys or Ordnance Survey (we stock the 1:50,000 OS map for our area). Do not rely on your mobile phone mapping.
You should also always pack some food (even small snacks) and some water. It is possible to refill your water bottle along the route, but take care if you are following a low level popular path. If there is a lot of livestock in the area, it would be best not to refill your bottle unless you have a water purifier with you.
Always tempting if you happen to strike the good weather to whip out the shorts to go for a hike. It is however worth bearing in mind that Scotland is not without its pests. There are ticks in Scotland which hang on the undergrowth, particularly at low levels waiting for someone or something to come past. Ticks are often carried by deer who rub them off on the vegetation. The ticks wait there for the next host to continue their life cycle. They can wait for years.
If you do pick up a tick it is not the end of the world. There is Lymes Disease in the UK which can be treated with antibiotics – but early removal of the tick is key to the prevention of the disease. We have tick removers here at Fraoch Lodge. Make sure you check yourself over at the end of the day. However, you can minimise the risk of picking up a tick by wearing long trousers and gaiters over the top of your boots. Generally speaking dog walkers and golfers are often at more risk than hikers of returning with ticks.
Unless you’re going to be battling through particularly overgrown parts of the countryside, the length of your sleeves is not too vital and the rate at which you get cold will determine whether you think long or short sleeves suitable for the day.
There are not many well graded, smooth paths in the Scottish hills. Most tracks are relatively rough with loose stones and rocks. It is usually sensible to use over the ankle walking boots to protect your ankles from turning and also to keep your feet as dry as possible. Leather boots, though heavier, should provide the best protection and will be generally more waterproof than gortex lined fabric boots.
Waterproof shell jackets are by far the most popular. Most shops stock a wide range of jackets designed with gortex fabric. Andy himself prefers to wear Paramo clothing or Cioch direct waterproofs. Both these companies use the same material. Cioch Direct specialise in made to measure clothing. The advantage that the Nikwax analogue material has over gortex is that it is designed to be reproofed after washing so is likely to last you longer. The jackets can also be returned for repairs at little or no cost. The disadvantage is that the material is heavier and can prove to be too warm in the height of the summer – though at an average year round temperature of 0oC, the Paramo jackets are usually suitable for the Cairngorm plateau.
Always useful to include a warm hat and gloves at the bottom of your pack as it can be cool on the hill tops even in August.
The most sensible attitude to your clothing for hiking is to make sure you have several light layers which will provide maximum flexibility rather than one or 2 choices. Make sure that your layers are not cotton options as you could cool off very rapidly, should your cotton layer become damp whereas synthetic or wool layers will either dry more rapidly or stop you from cooling down too much.
The most useful size of packpack to bring with you is a 35 litre pack. This will be large enough to take all excess clothing, camera, packed lunch etc. Smaller than this may mean that you have to limit what you take on the hill, particularly in winter.
Wandering into the Cairngorms
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any queries about the clothing/gear you are intending to bring with you for your Scottish vacation.
If you’d like to book a guide for your day hike, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Andy is extremely knowledgeable about the Highlands of Scotland from history to nature and everything in between. A hike with him is an introduction to everything you wanted to know.
Email: info at scotmountainholidays.com
Tel: +44 1479 831 331
The challenge of hiking in Scotland can be underestimated. Below we’ve given our top tips for hiking in the Highlands of Scotland. The mountains here are not the giants of Everest or the 4000m peaks of the alps but they are mountains nonetheless. Only the roots remain of what were 7000m peaks in geological history; but they are still a challenge to conquer and offer rewarding vistas to rival those abroad.
Scotland’s highest peak,Ben Nevis is a mere 1309m above sea level, but the route starts from sea level and ascends all the way to the summit. A climb/hike of 1000m ascent is a good long day out in most people’s estimation and should not be attempted unless you are fully prepared for a mountain day with over the ankle walking boots, extra layers of clothing, waterproofs, food, water, map and compass.
Mountain days in Scotland can involve long routes taking 8 or more hours to accomplish. The Cairngorm 4000ers trip which is run by Scot Mountain Holidays involves one day out whereby the bottom of the mountain is accessed by mountain bike to give at least a small chance of returning to base before dinner. Therefore to make the most of your time during you challenge, you’ll need to prepare beforehand by stepping up your fitness regime to build your stamina. Most challenges will last for more than one day, hence your fitness regime will need to take place more than one day of the week.
Travelling up to Scotland is not always a cheap option. To get train budget train tickets you either need to know you’re planning to travel 12 weeks in advance; be in the right place at the right time to see a special offer or win a competition; or have a railcard. Booking rail tickets close to your time of travel can add significantly to the cost of your trip.
Flights to Scotland are available from budget airlines like Easyjet and Ryanair, but again the price can vary considerably as there is less choice for flights directly intoInverness- though you could always try linking with flights into Edinburgh.
A guide will know the local terrain like the back of his or her hand. They’ll be able to keep the pace on track, regulate breaks etc so that the day does not extend too late into the evening, it’s their responsibility to manage the group and they’ll have all the necessary emergency equipment and contacts.
The best sites to monitor are:
The Mountain Weather Information service: the best resource for mountain weather information
The Met Office: go to the specialist forecasts section and check the mountain forecast.
If you also monitor the web cams in the week leading up to your trip it’ll give you an idea of what to expect on the ground.
For the Cairngorms the web cams are:
The weather in the UK, and particularly in the Highlands, is maritime and not continental i.e. it is constantly changing. When people say we can have 4 seasons in one day, they’re not joking – particularly in the spring one minute it can rain, the next snow, the next glorious sunshine … just don’t expect weeks of glorious sunshine; if we did, then Scotland would not be so beautifully green and lush. Always a good idea to have a warm hat and gloves at the bottom of your bag.
You can top up your water bottle from the streams on most of the hills in the Highlands as the water is potable. Dehydration is one of the most insidious hazards dangers in the hills.
In Scotland there are no alpine style mountain huts where you can stop and pick up provisions. There used to be a lot more emergency huts but they have never had wardens or been stocked with provisions. Hiking in the hills here in the UK means that you need to be self-sufficient and be prepared for any emergency. This is a philosophy we Brits take abroad when we hike so you can always spot us in the Alps. We’re the ones with the huge rucksacks with all our emergency supplies as opposed to many of the European hikers with their tiny packs relying on the huts for supplies.
May and September are when we have the longest days and most reliable weather in the Highlands of Scotland. Mid summer has it’s own hazards even if summer thunder storms are less common than in the Alps. We have midges and ticks to contend with in the summer particularly if the weather is still and you are on the west coast (Glen Coe and Skye are hot spots.)
You’ll be able to fit your route on to one side of the map and not have to readjust the map part way in to your route.
The tried and tested manual navigation aids which will always help you out
Not only do we climb Ben Nevis on this challenge but we do it by the most spectacular and challenging route including the Carn Mor Dearg Arete with stunning views of the cliffs which make up Ben Nevis’ north face. We also ascend Cairngorm via the overlooked north ridge and visit the popular winter climbing venue of Craig Meagaidh also known for it’s long cliff-face. The final route is on Ben a’Ghlo.
All routes are strenuous on their own so fitness is a priority for this trip
Climb across Scotland’s rooftop, the highest, most extensive area of mountain plateau with an average annual temperature of zero degrees. This is a challenge you can build into as the longest day is generally the last day of the trip but is bi-modal due to the length of the route. Only the fittest of people attempt this challenge. You must be capable on a mountain bike.
Ascend the classic mountains in the Torridon range. An area of the Highlands which is greatly under-rated, perhaps by it’s proximity to Skye, Torridon has really to be seen to be amazed. Glen Coe, with its dramatic history, and Skye, by reputation and movie fame, receive a far higher number of visitors, but the scenery in Torridon can certainly hold its own in this company
Please enquire for details. Current top destination is Knoydart. Perfect for a sleeper weekend – long weekend would be best to make the most of the opportunity. Hot shower facilities also supplied.
Are you planning to visit Scotland for self guided walking holidays? There are some important factors which should influence your planning.
Just because you don’t consider the hills in Scotland to be mountains by the standards of your country, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t treat the routes with respect. Remember when you do your planning that a lot of routes are not way marked. Our experience of hiking in Europe is that most of the routes are signposted and marked with paint on the rocks and/or trees. Don’t expect this to be the case in Scotland, unless you are following an official long distance path like the West Highland Way.
Deep in the Cairngorms National park. What a view!
The locals are the ones who will know if bridges have been washed away; if the streams are running high and you need to be careful with the river crossings; when there is tree felling going on; if the paths have been diverted; or in winter, particular avalanche hazards
The river in Glen Feshie has undergone some serious flooding causing parts of the path to collapse and the river to change its path
– if not, then be sure to take a refresher before you head into the higher level terrain.
Our maps are very good but you will need a proper map for hill/mountain hiking. Look for either Ordnance survey or Harvey’s maps. You can use Viewranger to plan your routes but do not expect to navigate by digital maps in the hills. Your battery could die and the screen is not big enough. Don’t worry though – if you’re based at Fraoch Lodge and haven’t had time to pick up a local map, we do stock them. We also have mountain bike specialised maps for select routes around the Cairngorms.
If you’re not sure of your navigational skills
A female walker seen sitting down resting and studying her map, wearing her boots and waterproof clothing, with her rusksack and walking poles, Cairngorm Mountains, Scotland.
Model Release
Photograph by David Mansell 07831 559901 mobile
There is a reason why Scottish people talk about the weather so much and if you hear someone talk about 3 or 4 seasons in one day – that means that the weather will be changeable on a daily/minute-by-minute basis.
When we say you should have a water/wind proof jacket, we don’t mean a cape. In our windy conditions you need a jacket which fits your body and won’t catch in the wind. If you’re looking for a new jacket or waterproof pants/trousers, we highly recommend the following Scottish companies: Cioch direct – for made to measure nikwax analog outer layers or Findra – for quality, eco-friendly outdoor clothing
– which is also shared with our guests on the organised self-guided walks
It is really important to make sure that your feet are comfortable. The smallest blister or hotspot can ruin your hiking plans. You’ve probably brought over your normal comfortable hiking shoes/boots but haven’t made allowances for the rough terrain you could be walking through. Just make sure you keep an eye on your feet. Pamper them if necessary. There are now plenty of excellent artisan soaps and hand/body creams available throughout Scotland. We highly recommend Highland Soaps, Arran aromatics or the Soap Bothy. Highland Soaps do a bog mrytle scented lotion/soap which has the added bonus of being repellent to midges!
This is particularly important if you are attempting a long hike like the Lairig Ghru
If you take long, undisciplined breaks then the end of the day is just going to keep disappearing into the distance. If you don’t take enough breaks, then you’ll become more tired than you should be and might find the walk very disheartening.
Our recommendation is to walk for about 80 minutes before taking a 10 minute break when you make sure to eat some of your picnic/snacks and take a healthy drink. Be disciplined with your breaks on longer hikes. At the end of the day it will make for a much more enjoyable experience.
This relates to the 4 seasons in one day weather we have here in the Highlands. You never quite know what you’re going to encounter during the day, even if you have religiously checked the forecast. Andy recommends: in summer, dress cool (relatively – light trousers/pants rather than shorts) on the legs), and warmer on top, as it is easier to regulate your temperature by putting on or taking off a fleece/jacket than removing long johns when you get too hot. In winter, dress warm on the legs.
Salmon has been associated with Scotland for many a year, both for fishing and for eating. It is world renowned as a quality product, despite the problems which have occasionally been associated with the salmon farming industry. Farmed salmon is really the only option now. Gone are the days when apprentices had it written into their contracts that they weren’t allowed to eat salmon more than 6 days a week!
“Salmon is now by far the biggest food export from Scotland. In 2014, it beat confectionery to become the UK’s biggest food export. “
Salmon has been part of the tourism and the catering industries in Scotland for many a year. It is far healthier than most of our other food products. It’s always a popular option on our menus.
BTW – if you though it was expensive to buy salmon here in Scotland, try visiting New Zealand! We didn’t buy any salmon when we were over there. It seemed really expensive in the supermarket.
11 health benefits of eating salmon
Check out some of the great recipes we have used to make the most of our salmon options.
Classic Smoked Salmon on oatcakes
One pan salmon with roasted asparagus
Asian sticky salmon
This is one of our favourites when we’re feeling generous – a very Scottish mix of salmon and whisky.
Salmon in whisky sauce
125g unsalted butter
1 carrot
1 stick of celery
4 salmon fillets
2 tbs olive oil
2 tbs whisky
4 tbs single cream
salt and pepper
spinach to serve
Melt 25g of butter in a small pan. Add carrot and celery and cook for 10 – 15 mins.
Dry salmon fillets then rub with oil & season on both sides.
Heat oil until hot then add salmon fillets (skin first, if they have the skin on). Cook for 6 – 8 mins each side. Longer if they are thick fillets.
Add the whisky to the vegetables and boil for 1 – 2 mins to reduce liquid by half.
Add cream and remaining butter until sauce is thick and rich looking.
NB We have also seen Salmon jerky for sale in limited stockists, but have yet to try for ourselves. For the moment, we’ll reserve judgement but we’ll let you know when we’ve managed to get hold of some to try.
Salmon leaps in or near the Cairngorms National Park – Pitlochry and Rogie Falls are the salmon leaps we know the most about. We have seen salmon leaping at Rogie Falls. We took photos, but it wan’t easy to see on the camera.
Salmon leaping at Rogie Falls
Salmon leap blog from VisitScotland
Fishing – we’re not experts on the fishing opportunities here in the Cairngorms but both the River Spey and the River Dee are world renowned for salmon fishing. However, don’t expect to take your catch home with you, unless you catch a rogue farmed salmon.
Atlantic Salmon facts from Scottish Natural Heritage
Further details about: How Scottish Salmon conquered the world
World’s restaurants take wild salmon off the menu
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