Kinloch

Hello Helpers, Just beginning to plan a walking tour in Scotland for mid to late May 2017. Trying to decide on routes. Although I love the idea of a progressive walk I want to make every day count. Looking at West Highland Way but the idea of walking accross Rannoch Moor does not appeal. My ideal is the kind of hiking / views you get doing a hike like The Hidden Glen in Glencoe. Problem is I love the coast too and would dealy love to see some water views. The Fife Coastal Path looks interesting but no highlands. Wondering about the Kintyre way, anyone done that? Have driven through the Trossachs several times but never stopped, another possibility? Kinloch

Ackislander

My son did the entire West Highland Way in late May a number of years ago and had dry, warm weather the entire way. We did Glen Coe in August and had horizontal rain and 8 C. My son was stalking deer on a friend's place in Aberdeenshire and had measureable snow -- on October 3.

My point: no perfect time, no perfect place to go walking in Scotland. You just have to do it.

janisj

>>My point: no perfect time, no perfect place to go walking in Scotland. <<

And . . . the minute you decide on the 'best' time it will turn out to be gawd awful.

No telling which will be better until all dates are past

In June two years apart (exactly 2 years apart to the day) I had 1) sleet and sideways rain, and 2) almost 80°F and died from the heat.

Fra_Diavolo

Marvelous people, the Scots.

TheBigMan

I would start by looking at this web site as it contains everything you need to know about walking in Scotland.

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk

Kinloch

Hi Thanks for your information. Have spent a lot of time on the walk highlands site and will keep at it. I understand weather is unpredictable. I have hiked in all those conditions in Scotland myself…sometimes all on the same day. I am commited to May, that wasn't really my question, I will take what I get. I am more asking about routes. I looked at some of TheBigMan's favs from a post of a couple of years ago and that helped me get familiar with walk highlands. When you are not committed to a certain area it would be nice if they would rate their walks by peoples votes as well as difficulty. You can see how people have liked each trail just have to go through them one at a time. Guess that is what the long Canadian winter is for!!

jtpj777

Good time to go to Skye? Plenty of walks, mountains with sea views there. Alternatively, NW Scotland: Gairloch, Ullapool, Lochinver area. Fantastic walks and seascapes.

No midges then ( or not many!)

Kinloch

jtpj777 interesting you should mention the Ullapool area that was also on my rule out list. I have hiked Skye quite a bit already but I may have to do more. I would DEARLY love to go to St Kilda's on this trip. It has been on my bucket list for a while and really want to stay overnight. It seems like my only option is out of Uig so I will be on Skye anyway. And if weather doesn't co-operate I may be there a couple of days waiting for trip so might hike Skye anyway but then head up to the Ullapool area. I was trying to justify my trip to St Kilda's by not renting a car this trip but don't think I can manage the trip I want without one. Sigh. A rental car for 1 person always seems like such a north american indulgence!

jtpj777

I would love to go to St Kilda but logistics are not easy.

In May, my wife and I had a (mostly camping - one night in hotel) trip to Glencoe, then road to the Isles road past Morar, onto Skye for a few days camping in Glen Brittle, then drive to lovely campsite about 25 miles north of Ullapool overlooking the Summer Isles.

We did some lovely walks and, best of all, the weather was great; May a good time for a walking trip to Scotland.

Kinloch

Yes I am getting more excited about the Ullapool area. I am looking at a lighthouse accomadation up there and just doing day hikes. Love the planning stage. Now I can target my searches on walkhighlands page. A