Scottish Wild Country Backpacking

Scotland's wildest places are best experienced in more than a day. From the remote Fisherfield wilderness and the Harris Hills of the Outer Hebrides to the dramatic coastline of Cape Wrath and the island interiors of Rum and Jura, the country's most spectacular landscapes reward those willing to carry a pack, pitch a tent and stay out overnight.

This large-format Cicerone guidebook by Peter Edwards, David Lintern and Stefan Durkacz presents 30 backpacking routes of 2 to 4 days across the Scottish Highlands and Islands, ranging from 13 to 94km (8 to 58 miles). Written for experienced backpackers comfortable with remote trekking and pathless terrain, it pairs clear route descriptions and 1:100,000 mapping with comprehensive guidance on equipment, bothies, wild camping, safety and Leave No Trace principles.

• 30 routes across four regions are included, covering the Western Highlands and Inner Hebrides, Central and Eastern Highlands, Northwest Highlands, the Far North and the Outer Hebrides
• Routes range from 13 to 94km over 2 to 4 days, with most requiring at least one night of wild camping and many offering the option to stay in a bothy
• Iconic wild country destinations include Fisherfield and Letterewe, the Affric Haute Route, Glen Etive, Loch Coruisk on Skye, Ben Alder, the Fannichs, Cape Wrath and the Uig Hills of Lewis
• 1:100,000 mapping and downloadable GPX files are provided for navigation, alongside a full list of the Munros and Corbetts visited across the guidebook
• Comprehensive practical guidance covers Highland weather, navigation, bothy etiquette, equipment for Scotland's backcountry and environmental impact — everything needed to plan and complete a multi-day backpacking route in the Scottish Highlands

From a wild camp above Loch Coruisk to a bothy night in the Fisherfield wilderness, Scotland's backcountry delivers experiences that no day walk can match. Scottish Wild Country Backpacking opens up 30 of the most spectacular backpacking routes in the Highlands and Islands.

Seasons

Most of these routes are great for walking year-round, though of course seasonal adjustments need to be made in terms of equipment and difficulties encountered. Snow, ice, very wet ground and high winds can be issues in winter, autumn and early spring, while midges, deer ticks and dense bracken feature from late-spring through to autumn.

Centres

Centres include Fort William, Kingussie, Achnashellach, Dalwhinnie, Amhuinnsuidhe, Kinlochbervie, Kylesku, Killilan, Tomintoul, Blair Atholl, Brèinis, Kinuachdrachd, Kinloch, Sligachan, Morvich and Crask.

Difficulty

The routes included here are best-suited to seasoned walkers with some experience of walking in the Scottish Highlands. A good degree of fitness, navigational competence and self-reliance are required. Many of the routes traverse high mountains and otherwise rugged, often pathless terrain. Walkers should be suitably equipped for the terrain and Highland weather. A few of the routes include small amounts of grade 1 scrambling.

Must See

Ben Alder, Ben Avon, Mòine Mhòr, Harris Hills, Ardgour, Glen Etive, Killilan, Glen Sligachan and Loch Coruisk, west coast of Jura, Glen Coul and Gleann Dubh, Coulin Forest, Fisherfield Six, Ben Klibreck and Ben Armine, Streap, Ben Mhòr and Hecla, Affric Haute Route, Rùm, Uig Hills

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 Bhàn

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 Rèasort 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