Hi,

My husband and I are going to be in Scotland in early September and are looking for some good hikes (walks? ) that combine a lot of things at once. Maybe something that combines mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and some ruins in one go of it. We're looking for day hikes with probably a max of 12 miles. We are experienced hikers as we live in the Rockies in the US so something that a bit of a challenge is not an issue, as long as it doesn't require actual rock climbing or other serious equipment.

We're going be in the regions of Trossachs, Cairngorms, and Skye, with little stops along the way between these areas. Any recommendations are welcome. Thanks!

This website might be of use to you:

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/skye/

If you select "All Walks" from the "Walks" drop down, you can look at the whole of Scotland.

Be aware that trails can be very wet and boggy. A different type of shoe than what you wear in the Rockies may be in order. I found that out while walking Rannoch Moor. The site Rubicund suggested gives good detail on what type of conditions you can expect.

Second historytraveler about the boggy conditions. In places you may need a snorkel.

Kind of depends what you mean by a hike. In the UK, it means a walk. What sort of walking do you have in mind?

That's a good point about the wetter conditions - I was debating if I should bring just my hiking shoes or the bulkier waterproof hiking boots so it sounds like the boots are the way to go.

We're looking for mountain trails that are somewhat challenging, but not technical (no rock climbing gear needed). Thanks!

When I was about ten years younger, this was our favourite walking area http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/torridon.shtml

You can see that the local walks vary from easy to challenging. I used to say that although I never climbed a Scottish mountain, I clambered around the knees and belly button

OK. The tougher mountains don't really do castles. I think you should look at Deeside and Angus. The Angus Glens are beautiful and soft, and there are two Munroes (mountains higher than 3000 feet- I know that's titchy by Rockies standards, but it's what we have)- Dreish and Mayer- and old stuff at the foot of them- Glamis Castle, and a heap of Pictish remains. About 9 miles.

On Deeside you have Lochnagar, which has a spectacular corrie, and a steep side and a shallower side. It's about 12 miles and has Balmoral and Aberdeenshire's castle trail at the foot. You can also do you Glen Shee Munros from there(they're quite easy because they start high.) and the challenging Ben Macdui - Scotland's second highest mountain) from the Linn of Dee. That's a long but not very technical 18 hours.

There are low level walks in spectacular scenery too

sheila's suggestions are terrific - So much to see on Deeside and Angus. And don't laugh about the Munro's being so short. Since many start from at or near sea level that 3000+ feet is taller than you might think.

How long is your trip? You could do a bit of 'Munro Bagging'.

http://scotlandoutdoor.com/scotland/...lected-munros/

http://openroadscotland.com/2014/mun...ing-beginners/

Bring boots (wear them on the plane so you don't have to pack them), then you are that equipt for everything. I remember walking Glen Nevis many years ago. It began to rain towards the end of the walk and by the time we got back to the car we were having to ford streams which had risen with all the rain. Daughter only had a light weight pair of boots. They were never the same again.....

Also bring a decent set of breathable waterproofs too.