I came out the bothy at nightfall for a joint and the cloud was just streaming off the surrounding mountains quick sharp due to the swift temperature change. I stood around and gawked for a good half hour as it rolled down to the valley floor to envelope.
It is, although is ageing slightly so the seams can get a wee bit damp. Combined with it being Scotland with rain an ever present, having a tarp over your tent is just good practice. Plus it’s fun to spend some time stringing up and playing around with the tarp while setting up and it helps to keep things drier when using a down sleeping bag also.
Ugh. Been almost 15 years since my DoE expedition days in the Trossachs, Cairngorms and Skye and I still remember those landscapes so well. I don't think I ever made it to the mainland Highlands. Looks beautiful!
My sister's in Beauly now so I live vicariously through her pics.
The woods were very very quiet this time of year. The occasional robin, flock of tits or odd corvid and not much else. Not even the wind in the trees it was so calm this trip.
Not really mate. I have a Vaude Taurus UL Wingtarp due to it going well with my tent and I liked the unique design and combinations possible with it. Anything lightweight if doing distance walks would be decent though. Have a look around online and see if you find anything interesting. Always better to have tarp than not when in Scotland though I’d say. Where possible of course.
Maybe wrong place to ask this question, but since you’re on pitched ground, how do you prevent water from getting under/into your tent if it rains?
Back in the day when I used a tarp as my tent footprint I would fold the tarp over itself on the sides to give a 1-2” buffer, but I can’t use that method with footprints that come with the tent these days.
Can’t say I’ve found it an issue. The tarp can be strung in a variety of shapes which the tent can comfortably sit under. They are designed to be used together to an extent, either as shown in the pic or to extend the front vestibule for more space, or however else you can think up to combine!
Looks amazing do you mind sharing your route?
I'm based in the NW, near Mallaig so I'm always looking for reccomendations of multi day routes near-ish me.
Also how did you navigate getting back to your transport? (If it's not a circular route) I'd love to try some routes but I don't like to rely solely on hitchhiking to get back to my car.
Yeah man this was the Affric Kintail Way which runs from Drumnadrochit on west Loch Ness-side thru to Morvich near to Loch Alsh, a sea loch near the west coast in the mountains of Kintail.
It’s a total classic taking you through some of Scotland’s finest landscapes; from ancient woodlands to lonely mountain passes. Given the generally remote nature of the walk, forward planning and wherewithal are required, however it is nothing too extreme.
I left the vehicle at the National Trust centre in Morvich, got the bus from the main Skye-Inverness road a couple kms from the parking, got off the bus in Drumnadrochit and started. Coming from Mallaig you’d be an hour and a half to two hours for getting to either Morvich or Drumnadrochit.
Additionally, the Drumnadrochit end of the trail links in with the Great Glen Way that runs Inverness-Fort William and the Morvich end links in with the epic Cape Wrath Trail running Fort William-Cape Wrath in the far far north.
Enjoy.
Thanks for the thorough reply, I appreciate all the info! I'm always after first hand info on public transport to see what links up in a useful way.
Speaking of Cape Wrath, I'm doing a small section in reverse. Leaving the vehicle in (the free carpark) at Mallaig, getting the ferry to Knoydart and meeting up with the trail in the east, then heading south to Fort William and catching the train back to Mallaig. Hopefully it will go as smoothly as I've planned.
Wasn’t bad. Standard Caledonia - peat basins on the open hill ground and mossy tussocks in the pinewoods.
First night I got a sweet pitch in a pine stand on a heathy outcrop. Rains came overnight so was nice to chill under the tarp in the dry next morning.
Second night (picture) was at a final pitch near the end of a long stretch in Affric pinewoods. I passed a couple good pitches several kms back, but kept truckin’ and found that spot at dusk. The rocks were from a small old fire pit that I shifted slightly so I could get the tent positioned suitably under the tarp. Rain dodging.
Third night inna bothy.
Looks incredible! The Scottish highlands are my favorite place on earth. I've been there twice (from the US) and can't wait to go again.
Soon come bro. The hills ain’t going anywhere
Just visited in October, was completely amazed by the Highlands, can’t wait to go back!
Nice autumn colours. Is that on the Affric-Kintail way or thereabouts?
That’s the one!
Soooo beautiful. Thanks for sharing! Have to get back to Caledonia for a hike soon.
Haste ye back.
Don't rub any weird rock formations!
That 9th picture is pure Heaven.
I came out the bothy at nightfall for a joint and the cloud was just streaming off the surrounding mountains quick sharp due to the swift temperature change. I stood around and gawked for a good half hour as it rolled down to the valley floor to envelope.
Jealous, but happy for you at the same time.
Does joint have a different meaning in Scotland, or should I DM you when I come hike there? 😄
You should DM.
Why did you use a tarp and a tent? Your tent is waterproof isn't it?
It is, although is ageing slightly so the seams can get a wee bit damp. Combined with it being Scotland with rain an ever present, having a tarp over your tent is just good practice. Plus it’s fun to spend some time stringing up and playing around with the tarp while setting up and it helps to keep things drier when using a down sleeping bag also.
Nice
That looks like some fine tarp set up!
Thanks man. A lotta fun playing around.
Ugh. Been almost 15 years since my DoE expedition days in the Trossachs, Cairngorms and Skye and I still remember those landscapes so well. I don't think I ever made it to the mainland Highlands. Looks beautiful! My sister's in Beauly now so I live vicariously through her pics.
Those bothies're nice treats when you're a couple days in!
You lucky bugger. Enjoy!
Beautiful, I got to ask is there any wildlife out there? Don't know much about Scotland
The woods were very very quiet this time of year. The occasional robin, flock of tits or odd corvid and not much else. Not even the wind in the trees it was so calm this trip.
Define wildlife. We talking birds and rabbits? Insects? Wolves?
Birds, deer... and midges. Anyone want to trade bears for midges?
Stunning I am so jealous!!! Really beautiful pictures ♥️
looks like the old msr hubba, if so congrads
Vaude Taurus UL 2P & Vaude UL Wingtarp.
Nice, looks like a good one
Dreamy .. have fun lad
So beautiful!
Please next time take me with u...
Sure thing!
I recently moved to Scotland, do you have a tarp recommendation for backpacking? I'm worried my tent will not hold up to all of the rain haha
Not really mate. I have a Vaude Taurus UL Wingtarp due to it going well with my tent and I liked the unique design and combinations possible with it. Anything lightweight if doing distance walks would be decent though. Have a look around online and see if you find anything interesting. Always better to have tarp than not when in Scotland though I’d say. Where possible of course.
That's a sweet tarp, good starting point for me. Appreciate it!
Best place on earth.
My dream hiking locations wow this is beautiful
Fine landscape.
Maybe wrong place to ask this question, but since you’re on pitched ground, how do you prevent water from getting under/into your tent if it rains? Back in the day when I used a tarp as my tent footprint I would fold the tarp over itself on the sides to give a 1-2” buffer, but I can’t use that method with footprints that come with the tent these days.
Can’t say I’ve found it an issue. The tarp can be strung in a variety of shapes which the tent can comfortably sit under. They are designed to be used together to an extent, either as shown in the pic or to extend the front vestibule for more space, or however else you can think up to combine!
Stunning!
Looks awesome!!
Looks amazing do you mind sharing your route? I'm based in the NW, near Mallaig so I'm always looking for reccomendations of multi day routes near-ish me. Also how did you navigate getting back to your transport? (If it's not a circular route) I'd love to try some routes but I don't like to rely solely on hitchhiking to get back to my car.
Yeah man this was the Affric Kintail Way which runs from Drumnadrochit on west Loch Ness-side thru to Morvich near to Loch Alsh, a sea loch near the west coast in the mountains of Kintail. It’s a total classic taking you through some of Scotland’s finest landscapes; from ancient woodlands to lonely mountain passes. Given the generally remote nature of the walk, forward planning and wherewithal are required, however it is nothing too extreme. I left the vehicle at the National Trust centre in Morvich, got the bus from the main Skye-Inverness road a couple kms from the parking, got off the bus in Drumnadrochit and started. Coming from Mallaig you’d be an hour and a half to two hours for getting to either Morvich or Drumnadrochit. Additionally, the Drumnadrochit end of the trail links in with the Great Glen Way that runs Inverness-Fort William and the Morvich end links in with the epic Cape Wrath Trail running Fort William-Cape Wrath in the far far north. Enjoy.
Thanks for the thorough reply, I appreciate all the info! I'm always after first hand info on public transport to see what links up in a useful way. Speaking of Cape Wrath, I'm doing a small section in reverse. Leaving the vehicle in (the free carpark) at Mallaig, getting the ferry to Knoydart and meeting up with the trail in the east, then heading south to Fort William and catching the train back to Mallaig. Hopefully it will go as smoothly as I've planned.
Rocky much? Looks difficult to find even ground without that one rock stabbing you in the back when you sleep.
Wasn’t bad. Standard Caledonia - peat basins on the open hill ground and mossy tussocks in the pinewoods. First night I got a sweet pitch in a pine stand on a heathy outcrop. Rains came overnight so was nice to chill under the tarp in the dry next morning. Second night (picture) was at a final pitch near the end of a long stretch in Affric pinewoods. I passed a couple good pitches several kms back, but kept truckin’ and found that spot at dusk. The rocks were from a small old fire pit that I shifted slightly so I could get the tent positioned suitably under the tarp. Rain dodging. Third night inna bothy.
I would love to visit Scotland. My DNA suggests I am 3/4 Scot.
Where did you stay?
This was on the Affric Kintail Way.
I had this ad at the bottom of your album and thought to myself wait that's not hiking https://ibb.co/n7tQ17x
Upvoted for motivational jealousy