saintscottofthenortham Posted 8 May, 2012 Share Posted 8 May, 2012 I have always said once you have seen one hill or mountain, you have seen them all. The idea of trudging through all sorts of weather up a hill or mountain to see a good view for a few minutes was somewhat lost on me. Anyhow, I was offered the chance of spending the weekend up in the Highlands and with it only being 4 days I thought it an ideal opportunity to see what all the fuss was about. Now, SSOTN has gone and fallen in love. The place is absolutely outstanding and anyone who has never been, get up there! The sights, the people, the pubs, the ales... Everything about the place is absolutely superb. Camped out near Glencoe on the edge of Loch Leven, and was just in total awe of the place. Had a gentle breaking of my Hill Walking cherry by walking to the 'Lost Valley' and took the shirt drive up to Fort William to take in the sights Glen Nevis has to offer and caught a glimpse of Ben Nevis too. I am now going to start to slowly assemble my camping/walking gear and making a proper effort to get a tad fitter so I can take the hills with a bit of confidence.Anyone been to Glencoe or near? If ever you do, check out the Clachaig Inn, once a regular haunt of Jimmy Saville and genuinely the best pub I have ever visited. Some of the ales on offer really were special. Sheephagger's Gold being my pick of the bunch. If anyone has any tips on walking, climbing, other places up there to visit, where to get gear and what gear to get then let me know, as I already can't wait to get back there now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank's cousin Posted 8 May, 2012 Share Posted 8 May, 2012 Begin ticking off the 800+ monroes, plenty of good guides that finish with nice pubs. Tis stunning and on my doorstep, and criminally dont get out there as often as I should. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 8 May, 2012 Share Posted 8 May, 2012 Bit like you, wasnt really interested in going but when my Bro got married in Inverness I drove up from Glasgow to the wedding via Glencoe. Whole area is fantastic. The George in Inveraray is a great pub to stay in too. If you could do away with the midges which blight everything from (I think) about June onwards and the rain there wouldnt be anywhere better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 8 May, 2012 Share Posted 8 May, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaford Saint Posted 8 May, 2012 Share Posted 8 May, 2012 I have always said once you have seen one hill or mountain, you have seen them all. The idea of trudging through all sorts of weather up a hill or mountain to see a good view for a few minutes was somewhat lost on me. Anyhow, I was offered the chance of spending the weekend up in the Highlands and with it only being 4 days I thought it an ideal opportunity to see what all the fuss was about. Now, SSOTN has gone and fallen in love. The place is absolutely outstanding and anyone who has never been, get up there! The sights, the people, the pubs, the ales... Everything about the place is absolutely superb. Camped out near Glencoe on the edge of Loch Leven, and was just in total awe of the place. Had a gentle breaking of my Hill Walking cherry by walking to the 'Lost Valley' and took the shirt drive up to Fort William to take in the sights Glen Nevis has to offer and caught a glimpse of Ben Nevis too. I am now going to start to slowly assemble my camping/walking gear and making a proper effort to get a tad fitter so I can take the hills with a bit of confidence.Anyone been to Glencoe or near? If ever you do, check out the Clachaig Inn, once a regular haunt of Jimmy Saville and genuinely the best pub I have ever visited. Some of the ales on offer really were special. Sheephagger's Gold being my pick of the bunch. If anyone has any tips on walking, climbing, other places up there to visit, where to get gear and what gear to get then let me know, as I already can't wait to get back there now. I camped at Glencoe 30 years ago....never forgotten it. Wonderful place, recommend it to anyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintscottofthenortham Posted 8 May, 2012 Author Share Posted 8 May, 2012 I camped at Glencoe 30 years ago....never forgotten it. Wonderful place, recommend it to anyone.It's probably barely changed since you stayed all them moons ago. As said above, I have heard that the midgies can cause right problems but thankfully it was a little too chilly for them to come out. The weather over the weekend couldn't have been better really! Although it was rather cold overnight, the days were superb. Did somewhat catch me out waking up on Saturday and hearing the gentle patter of snow on the tent, walking to the shower block in moderate snow, coming out of the shower block 20 minutes later and there was not a cloud in sight and it was actually warm. Strange weather indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Tone Posted 8 May, 2012 Share Posted 8 May, 2012 I have always said once you have seen one hill or mountain, you have seen them all. The idea of trudging through all sorts of weather up a hill or mountain to see a good view for a few minutes was somewhat lost on me. Anyhow, I was offered the chance of spending the weekend up in the Highlands and with it only being 4 days I thought it an ideal opportunity to see what all the fuss was about. Now, SSOTN has gone and fallen in love. The place is absolutely outstanding and anyone who has never been, get up there! The sights, the people, the pubs, the ales... Everything about the place is absolutely superb. Camped out near Glencoe on the edge of Loch Leven, and was just in total awe of the place. Had a gentle breaking of my Hill Walking cherry by walking to the 'Lost Valley' and took the shirt drive up to Fort William to take in the sights Glen Nevis has to offer and caught a glimpse of Ben Nevis too. I am now going to start to slowly assemble my camping/walking gear and making a proper effort to get a tad fitter so I can take the hills with a bit of confidence.Anyone been to Glencoe or near? If ever you do, check out the Clachaig Inn, once a regular haunt of Jimmy Saville and genuinely the best pub I have ever visited. Some of the ales on offer really were special. Sheephagger's Gold being my pick of the bunch. If anyone has any tips on walking, climbing, other places up there to visit, where to get gear and what gear to get then let me know, as I already can't wait to get back there now. Very fond of Scotland as aplace to visit ..not so sure about as a place to live! Try walking up the Caingorms above Aviemore. If you like watching wildlife it is the best part of the UK IMO. And the western isles/inner hebrides are fantastic in every respect apart from the bloody midges in summer, which can be no problem one week and a nightmare the next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 8 May, 2012 Share Posted 8 May, 2012 A friend of mine moved to the Highlands (near Crudie.... pronounced Croo-dee before anyone says ) and really looking forward to visiting him and his young family there in July now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 8 May, 2012 Share Posted 8 May, 2012 A friend of mine moved to the Highlands (near Crudie.... pronounced Croo-dee before anyone says ) and really looking forward to visiting him and his young family there in July now. Not sure it is the Highlands tbh. More like gentle dairy country. Nice but not dramatic though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintscottofthenortham Posted 9 May, 2012 Author Share Posted 9 May, 2012 Very fond of Scotland as aplace to visit ..not so sure about as a place to live! Try walking up the Caingorms above Aviemore. If you like watching wildlife it is the best part of the UK IMO. And the western isles/inner hebrides are fantastic in every respect apart from the bloody midges in summer, which can be no problem one week and a nightmare the next. Agreed, not sure I could live there. The wildlife really is something else. Around the campfire, listening to Owls a matter of feet from us was amazing. On the walk into the 'Lost Valley', we saw a wild dear just over a ridge, on closer inspection, there was infact 42 dear, literally right in front of us. We spent about 30 minutes slowly following all these dear. An amazing sight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norwaysaint Posted 9 May, 2012 Share Posted 9 May, 2012 You should try Norway, you can walk across the mountains for days, staying cheaply in beautiful mountain cabins run by the tourist association, you just become a member and they give you the key. If you stay in one or eat any of the food they have there, you pay, based purely on a trust system. They are lovely places that are mostly maintained by volunteers and mean you can walk across huge breathtakingly beautiful unpopulated areas and have somewhere warm and cosy to sleep. I've often turned up late at night at one before and met other friendly groups who invite you to share their dinner and booze. I often wonder if the same system would work in Britain or if people would just break in and vandalise them and nick anything that wasn't nailed down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 9 May, 2012 Share Posted 9 May, 2012 You should try Norway, you can walk across the mountains for days, staying cheaply in beautiful mountain cabins run by the tourist association, you just become a member and they give you the key. If you stay in one or eat any of the food they have there, you pay, based purely on a trust system. They are lovely places that are mostly maintained by volunteers and mean you can walk across huge breathtakingly beautiful unpopulated areas and have somewhere warm and cosy to sleep. I've often turned up late at night at one before and met other friendly groups who invite you to share their dinner and booze. I often wonder if the same system would work in Britain or if people would just break in and vandalise them and nick anything that wasn't nailed down. I lived with a woman from small town Sweden for years. Tucked in the woods at the rear of her Mum's house was an unattended simple wooden building about 20m x 5m with a small padlock on the door, easy to break into with a crowbar. I just happened to ask what is was one day and was told "Oh thats the armoury, for if the Russians invade". Cant imagine a shed full of machine guns and rocket launchers lasting long in a woods in Hampshire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 9 May, 2012 Share Posted 9 May, 2012 You should try Norway, you can walk across the mountains for days, staying cheaply in beautiful mountain cabins run by the tourist association, you just become a member and they give you the key. If you stay in one or eat any of the food they have there, you pay, based purely on a trust system. They are lovely places that are mostly maintained by volunteers and mean you can walk across huge breathtakingly beautiful unpopulated areas and have somewhere warm and cosy to sleep. I've often turned up late at night at one before and met other friendly groups who invite you to share their dinner and booze. I often wonder if the same system would work in Britain or if people would just break in and vandalise them and nick anything that wasn't nailed down. Any particular bits of Norway? Bergen area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 9 May, 2012 Share Posted 9 May, 2012 Not sure it is the Highlands tbh. More like gentle dairy country. Nice but not dramatic though. Where would you recommend for 'dramatic'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintscottofthenortham Posted 9 May, 2012 Author Share Posted 9 May, 2012 Where would you recommend for 'dramatic'? Glencoe, as I mentioned in the OP, or Glen Nevis. Hundreds of peaks all around the 1000m mark, which when they are towering over you lit only by moonlight, they really are intimidating & dramatic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norwaysaint Posted 9 May, 2012 Share Posted 9 May, 2012 Any particular bits of Norway? Bergen area? Well, I particularly like Hardangervidda and have crossed it a couple of times(2 hours from Bergen), but there are hundreds of places I wanted to go to , but didn't reach before I had kids. Not especially around Bergen, which is where I live. Breheimen was next on my list, but there's also Rondane and Jotunheimen and plenty of others. For an easy one, there's always Nordmarken, just by Oslo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 9 May, 2012 Share Posted 9 May, 2012 (edited) Where would you recommend for 'dramatic'? Glencoe, as I mentioned in the OP, or Glen Nevis. Hundreds of peaks all around the 1000m mark, which when they are towering over you lit only by moonlight, they really are intimidating & dramatic. Im no expert, have only been there twice, but Glencoe is a very good call. I did a drive from Glasgow to Inverness via Loch Lomond, Loch Fyne and Inveraray, Glencoe, Fort William, Fort Augustus and Loch Ness. Awesome trip. The road from Invergarry to Kyle of Lochalsh and the Isles of Mull and Iona are well worth it too. Stayed in a remote house in August and within a 200m radius you could pick wild raspberries, mushrooms, hazelnuts, blueberries and catch brown trout from the stream or loch. Edited 9 May, 2012 by buctootim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsdinho Posted 9 May, 2012 Share Posted 9 May, 2012 You should try Norway, you can walk across the mountains for days, staying cheaply in beautiful mountain cabins run by the tourist association, you just become a member and they give you the key. If you stay in one or eat any of the food they have there, you pay, based purely on a trust system. They are lovely places that are mostly maintained by volunteers and mean you can walk across huge breathtakingly beautiful unpopulated areas and have somewhere warm and cosy to sleep. I've often turned up late at night at one before and met other friendly groups who invite you to share their dinner and booze. I often wonder if the same system would work in Britain or if people would just break in and vandalise them and nick anything that wasn't nailed down. Isn't the place riddled with trolls?!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torres Posted 9 May, 2012 Share Posted 9 May, 2012 I walked across Scotland from Oban to St Andrews a couple of years ago and passed through some stunning scenery on the first few days, really fantastic. Off to Fort William this weekend to do Ben Nevis if the weather allows. There's snow at the moment and more on the way and we're taking a couple of inexpereinced walkers so might not risk it if the weather's not great. If we don't we'll probably do the last leg of the WHW from Kinlochleven to FW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintscottofthenortham Posted 9 May, 2012 Author Share Posted 9 May, 2012 I walked across Scotland from Oban to St Andrews a couple of years ago and passed through some stunning scenery on the first few days, really fantastic.Off to Fort William this weekend to do Ben Nevis if the weather allows. There's snow at the moment and more on the way and we're taking a couple of inexpereinced walkers so might not risk it if the weather's not great. If we don't we'll probably do the last leg of the WHW from Kinlochleven to FW.Snow was only really at the summit at the weekend, Wasn't much at all. We camped between Glencoe & Kinlochleven. Would love to walk the WHW. Might have to wait til the kids have grown up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torres Posted 9 May, 2012 Share Posted 9 May, 2012 It snowed on Nevis yesterday, is snowing today and several hours more expected tomorrow when it will "...deteriorate with strong winds and blizzards... " The entire WHW is pretty high on my To Do list too, ideally before the end of the year but it might gave to wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutch Posted 9 May, 2012 Share Posted 9 May, 2012 I did the walk up Ben Nevis around 30 years ago. Near the top, we heard the roar of jet engines, and looked DOWN to see a couple of RAF fighters screaming up the valley a few hundred feet below us. Very impressive, but I doubt if 'elf 'n safety allow that sort of thing nowadays. Anyway I think they were harriers & we aint got none of them anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Saint Posted 9 May, 2012 Share Posted 9 May, 2012 Spent 7 consecutive years Summer Holidays up there when I was a mere nipper. Started under Canvas and got sunburnt first year, the folks across the road were a bit more well off than my Mum & Dad, they headed to Spain which in the early 70s was quite something we came back browner than them!! We went all over the Highlands first place was Gairloch, wall to wall blue sky and glorious scenery fantastic beaches. Just north of Oban was one of the best, camped by the Loch edge beech combing for miles collecting driftwood for an evening fire on the Beach, in the middle near Loch Rannoch, over to the flattish east to Dornoch. Right up the top to the Kyle of Tongue, we were there in June one year and Dad had shed the tent for the comfort of a Caravan, they had asked friends along on a grand Scottish Tour with their caravan and kids, the Beach was fantastic shame the sea was so cold, one evening the grown ups were getting oiled on Scotch and us kids were playing outside in the light, then we were suddenly told it was time for bed to which we all groaned at only to be told it was 2am in the morning!!! Being able to recall holidays from well over 30 years ago (blimey!) they must have been good............. The demise of the Holidays to Scotland were shelved after 2 consecutive years of atrocious weather then being greeted by warmth and blue sky's the further down the M6 we went. Must return there some time as I would imagine that once north of Loch Lomond it is pretty much unchanged, apart from some of the faster roads they were starting to build back then being completed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 9 May, 2012 Share Posted 9 May, 2012 Well, I particularly like Hardangervidda and have crossed it a couple of times(2 hours from Bergen), but there are hundreds of places I wanted to go to , but didn't reach before I had kids. Not especially around Bergen, which is where I live. Breheimen was next on my list, but there's also Rondane and Jotunheimen and plenty of others. For an easy one, there's always Nordmarken, just by Oslo. Im no expert, have only been there twice, but Glencoe is a very good call. I did a drive from Glasgow to Inverness via Loch Lomond, Loch Fyne and Inveraray, Glencoe, Fort William, Fort Augustus and Loch Ness. Awesome trip. The road from Invergarry to Kyle of Lochalsh and the Isles of Mull and Iona are well worth it too. Stayed in a remote house in August and within a 200m radius you could pick wild raspberries, mushrooms, hazelnuts, blueberries and catch brown trout from the stream or loch. Ta. Fancied one of these two for a few days in the summer for a while now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
latter day saint Posted 9 May, 2012 Share Posted 9 May, 2012 I did the walk up Ben Nevis around 30 years ago. Near the top, we heard the roar of jet engines, and looked DOWN to see a couple of RAF fighters screaming up the valley a few hundred feet below us. Very impressive, but I doubt if 'elf 'n safety allow that sort of thing nowadays. Anyway I think they were harriers & we aint got none of them anymore. i had the same experience while walking in the Brecon Beacons. was sat near the top of Pen Y Fan eating a Pot Noddle when a jet came thundering up the valley & over the top of us. couldn't believe how low it was, almost felt as if you could jump up & touch it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperMikey Posted 9 May, 2012 Share Posted 9 May, 2012 Spent most of my summers in Perthshire as a kid, venturing further up for day trips to go walking and visit places. It's a really special part of the world, the Highlands. I remember driving from Abernethy to Elgin when I was about 12, setting off when it was still dark (it was in the winter), and as we got past Pitlochry the sun was coming up. I tell you what, driving up through the Cairngorms in the morning light was incredible. Absolutely stunning. Stopped off and visited a distillery in Speyside and surveyed the views... Not my photo but similar views to what we had across the valley below us. Scotland will always be special to me, especially the Highlands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintscottofthenortham Posted 9 May, 2012 Author Share Posted 9 May, 2012 Just a couple, and these do not do it justice at all... Sunset over Glencoe on route to The Clachaig Inn (Probably the best pub in the world...) The view as we entered the 'Lost Valley' - We had to walk/climb for about an hour or so to actually get into this and honestly, this picture does not even begin to explain the vastness of the surroundings: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadgerBadger Posted 9 May, 2012 Share Posted 9 May, 2012 Only been the once but was surely smitten by the place. Only been as far north as Fort William and surrounding area, would love to get north of there into the wilderness proper, there's a company that takes you out into the wilds drops you off with a canoe and arranges to meet you much laters down the river, gotta be done. Heard of a road closure in Scotland on Radio 2 this week and the diversion was nearly 200 miles - impressive!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintscottofthenortham Posted 10 May, 2012 Author Share Posted 10 May, 2012 Only been the once but was surely smitten by the place. Only been as far north as Fort William and surrounding area, would love to get north of there into the wilderness proper, there's a company that takes you out into the wilds drops you off with a canoe and arranges to meet you much laters down the river, gotta be done. Heard of a road closure in Scotland on Radio 2 this week and the diversion was nearly 200 miles - impressive!!!! That sounds pretty epic. That road closure was the A82, the road to Fort William up to Inverness. Was on it on Sunday and it is quite a busy stretch as It is the only road to Ben Nevis. Couldn't quite believe my ears when they said about a 190 mile diversion! You would be better off just switching the engine off and admiring the scenery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintscottofthenortham Posted 11 May, 2012 Author Share Posted 11 May, 2012 Any tips on good places to buy hiking/camping gear? It's quite expensive stuff as I'm a total newbie so starting from scratch. Any advice on priority gear etc and any specific brands or types to buy/avoid? Any help would be much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Tone Posted 11 May, 2012 Share Posted 11 May, 2012 Any tips on good places to buy hiking/camping gear? It's quite expensive stuff as I'm a total newbie so starting from scratch. Any advice on priority gear etc and any specific brands or types to buy/avoid? Any help would be much appreciated. I buy most waterproofs etc whenever I see them in a sale! But if you want decent walking boots, and they are too essential to leave till the next sale, I'd recommend the Cotswold Outdoor shop in Hedge End. It's part of chain, so maybe all their branches are good... I don't know. But the staff at Hedge End really know their stuff and genuinely help you find a pair that fit. It's worth the wait for an assistant if they are busy. You can sometimes blag a discount too if you have any provable link with a sports or youth organisation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergei Gotsmanov Posted 11 May, 2012 Share Posted 11 May, 2012 Always at my most relaxed in the Highlands. If you want the best seafood restaurant go to Loch Leven seafood cafe on Loch Leven. Renting a cottage in the middle of nowhere is very cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintscottofthenortham Posted 11 May, 2012 Author Share Posted 11 May, 2012 Always at my most relaxed in the Highlands. If you want the best seafood restaurant go to Loch Leven seafood cafe on Loch Leven. Renting a cottage in the middle of nowhere is very cheap. We were just up the road from that Café! We only stayed for a few days but will e making a longer trip of it later in the year so will ensure I visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintscottofthenortham Posted 11 May, 2012 Author Share Posted 11 May, 2012 I buy most waterproofs etc whenever I see them in a sale! But if you want decent walking boots, and they are too essential to leave till the next sale, I'd recommend the Cotswold Outdoor shop in Hedge End. It's part of chain, so maybe all their branches are good... I don't know. But the staff at Hedge End really know their stuff and genuinely help you find a pair that fit. It's worth the wait for an assistant if they are busy. You can sometimes blag a discount too if you have any provable link with a sports or youth organisation. Cheers mate I shall check it out. I was going to just take my work boots last weekend, with the theory being that they serve me well for 10 hours hard graft every day so should see me straight for a good hike up to the lost valley and whatever. I was talked out of it and a pair were sourced for me, and thank god too. They were so bloody comfy I didn't want to take them off and I totally underestimated just how hard it would be. Good little learning curve and cannot wait for next time! Just want to have some decent comfortable gear and a decent camping kit etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torres Posted 14 May, 2012 Share Posted 14 May, 2012 Back from Fort William and back at work (booo) but did Ben Nevis on Saturday. Weather was mixed on the way up until we hit the cloud about 3000ft when we got the snow and hail and gradually lost visibility until it was down to about 20m. Lots and lots of fresh snow up there and ice underneath so it was pretty dicey underfoot and near-impossible to see the path in places. On the final ascent to the top plateau we couldn't make out the next marker cairn but thankfully there were enough people to make a vague human chain and we followed the people in front and the people behind followed us etc etc. Bloody brilliant though. On the topic of kit - I can recommed Cotswold too. I've bought a lot of stuff from them at various stores and their staff are normally very helpful and always knowledgeable. I can only think they only employ people that actually get out there and use the stuff they sell. As for stuff you need - decent boots, a decent softshell is a must IMO (you can wear it as your outer layer in all but the most extreme conditions - I wore mine from sea level to 4000ft on Saturday through the warm sun, the snow, the hail and back to the sunshine) and if you're going to do much in the way of ascents, a pair of walking poles. I used to think poles were only for old buggers but they make life so much easier for everyone on the way up and the way down. Oh, and socks of course. And trousers. And a well fitted bag. And water bladder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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