Scottish roaming- need lots of advice

Free · #1 (**permalink**) 19-06-2009, 01:20 AM

Basically me and a few friends have a plan to take advantage of the wonderful roaming rights and beautiful scenery in Scotland by spending a few days trecking there this summer.

We plan to take plenty of food supplies, all weather clothing, tents etc. and want to go to a particularly scenic and wild area, prefferably towards the south of Scotland to avoid having to travel too far (by car or train anyway

).

Basically, we need alot of suggestions. If anyone could provide any information on:

-Where to go
-What to take
-What local flora is edible (we will obviously take enough supplies, this is more just to provide the experience of attempting to fend for ourselves)
-How to avoid midges!
-Anything else anyone can think of, basically

it would be great.

Thanks

ron1863 · #2 (**permalink**) 19-06-2009, 11:58 AM

Hi and a warm welcome to WAB. Most people would recommend the Cairngorm area where you will find plenty of different habitats, peace and quiet and midges. Take some warm clothing though as the weather can change extremely quickly.

Check through "Wild Places" in the reference section

ChrisJB · #3 (**permalink**) 19-06-2009, 05:41 PM

For me, when it comes to Scotland, north-west is best. Highlights for me are, Mull, Skye, Ardnamurchan, Torridon (the mountains hereabouts will blow your socks off), Applecross, the wild lands between Dundonnell and Kinlochewe and finally right up round Assynt. It's the stuff of dreams.
You'll have a great time. Lets us know how you get on when you return from your wonderful odyssey. Hope this is of some use.

Regards, Chris

Richard G. · #4 (**permalink**) 19-06-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Free

Basically, we need alot of suggestions. If anyone could provide any information on:

-Where to go

Some nice suggestions so far, but I think if it's wild you want, then look no further than Knoydart. You could either walk in from Kinloch Hourn or Glenfinnan or take the ferry from Mallaig.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Free

-What to take

Good waterproofs for sure and a tent that can take a decent amount of wind. There are a couple of bothies around too if the weather is too unkind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Free

-What local flora is edible (we will obviously take enough supplies, this is more just to provide the experience of attempting to fend for ourselves)

Don't think I'd rely too much on foraging for food, you might be able to catch the odd trout or maybe a few mussels in Barrisdale Bay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Free

-How to avoid midges!

Midge avoidance requires a Beatons Midge Jacket.

smartie · #5 (**permalink**) 20-06-2009, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard G.

Midge avoidance requires a Beatons Midge Jacket.

I wish I'd kown about these before I went to Mull last week. We tried every insect repellant known to man and nothing worked.

foxy mars · #6 (**permalink**) 20-06-2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartie

We tried every insect repellant known to man and nothing worked.

Have you tried Avon's - Skin so Soft, it supposed to very efficient towards Midgies.

ron1863 · #7 (**permalink**) 20-06-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxy mars

Have you tried Avon's - Skin so Soft, it supposed to very efficient towards Midgies.

It does work but not for everyone and is one of the better products. Just hope for some windy weather, that keeps them away.

Jim Ford · #8 (**permalink**) 20-06-2009, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxy mars

Have you tried Avon's - Skin so Soft, it supposed to very efficient towards Midgies.

Forget it - it's 'snake oil'!

People keep banging on about 'Skin so Soft' yet those that have tried it admit it's not particularly effective - or even effective at all. It's not worth taking a chance and spoiling an outing.

None - NONE, of the repellents you put on your skin will stop you breathing them in and choking on them when they're their millions, like clouds of smoke. The ONLY effective protection in this case is a net - best of all a midge jacket.

Jim

foxy mars · #9 (**permalink**) 20-06-2009, 12:00 PM

Snake Oil

Jim Ford · #10 (**permalink**) 20-06-2009, 12:12 PM

Let me google that for you

;^)

Jim

Free · #11 (**permalink**) 20-06-2009, 12:28 PM

Thanks for all the advice- I'm going to take a look through that list of locations and weigh up the factors.

Yeah, I've heard lots about midges in the Scottish highlands (I havn't been there for about 16 years and I was too young too remember back then). I think I may invest in a net, but I can't find any snakes around at the moment to ritually sacrifice before lighting the incense and doing the usual ritual

Also, does anyone have a kit list of any kind? We've been thinking about what we'll need (from trowels to basic medical supplies) but a thorough guide would certainly prevent us going there and realising we're missing an essential item.

cheers

Kayleigh · #12 (**permalink**) 20-06-2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

Let me google that for you

;^)

Jim

I am taking my citronella body oil..

That's a cleaver trick Jim..

Jim Ford · #13 (**permalink**) 20-06-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

I am taking my citronella body oil.

Oil of citronella doesn't work either - you'll try it just the once!

The fact that there are many repellents out there on the market shows that none of them are really effective. If one was 100% effective, it would drive the others off the market.

With even the most effective ones, you need to ensure complete coverage of bare skin. This means behind and inside your ears, hair partings and corners of your eyes and mouth. Having done that, you may be protected for an hour or two, but then have to start all over again.

Jim

Kayleigh · #14 (**permalink**) 20-06-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

Oil of citronella doesn't work either - you'll try it just the once!

The fact that there are many repellents out there on the market shows that none of them are really effective. If one was 100% effective, it would drive the others off the market.

With even the most effective ones, you need to ensure complete coverage of bare skin. This means behind and inside your ears, hair partings and corners of your eyes and mouth. Having done that, you may be protected for an hour or two, but then have to start all over again.

Jim

I am really looking forward to this having never met a Scottish midge in my life and staying on a Loch..lol

Jim Ford · #15 (**permalink**) 20-06-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

I am really looking forward to this having never met a Scottish midge in my life and staying on a Loch..lol

You won't be laughing, Kayleigh - no _really_ you won't!

Jim

Kayleigh · #16 (**permalink**) 20-06-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

You won't be laughing, Kayleigh - no _really_ you won't!

Jim

Cheers Jim.....

Jim Ford · #17 (**permalink**) 20-06-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Free

Also, does anyone have a kit list of any kind? We've been thinking about what we'll need (from trowels to basic medical supplies) but a thorough guide would certainly prevent us going there and realising we're missing an essential item.

Take something to deal with ticks - either tweezers of the recommended sort, or one of the 'patent' removers like O'Tom Tick. Most importantly, do some research on the net as to how to remove a tick properly.

Jim

Richard G. · #18 (**permalink**) 20-06-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

Take something to deal with ticks

Aye, I picked one up a couple of weeks ago and Mrs G. a couple.

And watch out for the Clegs too Kayleigh. In fact, if I were you'd I'd cancel the trip and stay away from Scotland all together... it's always raining anyway

Richard G. · #19 (**permalink**) 20-06-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Free

Also, does anyone have a kit list of any kind? We've been thinking about what we'll need (from trowels to basic medical supplies) but a thorough guide would certainly prevent us going there and realising we're missing an essential item.

Just so happens that Jamie over at trekkingbritain.com has recently put together a few gear lists for day walks, backpacking etc.... might help?

Jim Ford · #20 (**permalink**) 20-06-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard G.

Just so happens that Jamie over at trekkingbritain.com has recently put together a few gear lists for day walks, backpacking etc.... might help?

Interesting link, but I asked myself why he put waterproof things like the tent and waterproof jacket in drybags?

Jim

Richard G. · #21 (**permalink**) 20-06-2009, 04:11 PM

Presumably just to keep wet and dry things apart?

I use dry bags for my down stuff (sleeping bag and smock), since they also compress (air-exchange thingies). But I still put the tent loosely in a plastic bag, partly as belt and braces to keep the water away from my dry stuff, but I tend to leave the tent uncompressed because it's last thing in the pack and I let it fill up the remaining pack space for comfort/stability. Never thought it was a good idea to compress a tent either though.