Synopses & Reviews
Scotland's Highlands and Islands contain some of the finest mountain scenery in Europe and by far the best way to experience it is on foot.
Inside you will find:
60 day-walks - for all abilities. Graded for difficulty, terrain and strenuousness. Selected from every corner of the region and ranging from well-known peaks such as Ben Nevis and Cairn Gorm to lesser-known hills such as Suilven and Clisham.
2-day and 3-day treks - some of the walks have been linked to form multi-day treks such as the Great Traverse.
86 walking maps with unique mapping features - walking times, directions, tricky junctions, places to stay and eat, points of interest.
Public transport information - for all access points.
62 gateway towns and villages - Much more than just a walking guide this book includes guides to 62 gateway towns and villages: what to see on rainy days, where to stay, where to eat; pubs, hotels, B&Bs, campsites, bunkhouses, hostels.
Review
"...the Trailblazer series stands head, shoulders, waist and ankles above the rest. They are particularly strong on mapping...."
--The Sunday Times (UK)
About the Author
Jim Manthorpe began his exploration of wild places and developed wanderlust on the first of several childhood trips to Wales and Scotland. Since then he has found himself windswept and soaked through, not only in Britain but also in Scandinavia, the Alps, the Himalaya, the Pyrenees, and Patagonian Chile. After two and a half years at Stanfords, the travel bookshop in London, Jim moved to Edinburgh to be close to the hills and concentrate on writing and photography. He is also the author of Trailblazer's
Pembrokeshire Coast Path and
South Downs Way guides.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION (1) PART 1: PLANNING YOUR TRIP - Practical information, Budgeting, When to go, What to take, Getting to the Highlands, Getting around the Highlands (2) PART 2: MINIMUM IMPACT & MOUNTAIN SAFETY - Environmental impact, Economic impact, Mountain ethics, Why head for the hills? Mountain Safety (3) PART 3: THE HIGHLANDS - Geography, Climate, History, People, Language, Geology, Conservation, Fauna and flora (4) PART 4: ROUTE GUIDES, MAPS AND SERVICES - LOCH LOMOND, THE TROSSACHS & SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS - Area Overview, Villages, where to stay and eat, The Hillwalks: Beinn Dorain and Beinn an Dothaidh,The Cobbler, Ben Vorlich, Ben Lomond, Stob Gabhar and Stoba ChoireOdhair, Ben More and Stob Binnien GLEN COE & BEN NEVIS - Area Overview, Villages, where to stay and eat, The Hillwalks: Buchaille Etive Mor, Aonach Eagach, Bidean nam Bian, Ballachulish horseshoe, Stob Ban and Mullach nan Coirean, Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis CENTRAL HIGHLANDS- Area Overview, Villages, where to stay and eat, The Hillwalks: The Easains, Ben Lawers, Ben Alder and Beinn Bheoil, The Lancet Edge, Geal Charn and Carn Dearg, Creag Meagaidh, Schiehallion THE CAIRNGORMS & EASTERN HIGHLANDS - Area Overview, Villages, where to stay and eat, The Hillwalks: Ben Macdui and Derry Cairngorm, Braeriach and Cairn Toul, Meall a' Buchaille, Lochnagar, Ben Vrackie, Dreish and Mayar THE WESTERN HIGHLANDS - Area Overview, Villages, where to stay and eat, The Hillwalks: Beinn Bhuidhe, Beinn Resipole, Sgurr Ghiubhsachain, The Corryhully horseshoe, Ladhar Bheinn, The Five Sisters, Sgurr a' Mhaoraich, Beinn Sgritheall, The Saddle THE NORTH-WEST HIGHLANDS - Area Overview, Villages, where to stay and eat, The Hillwalks: Beinn Eighe, Liathach, Carn Eige and Mam Sodhail, Beinn Liath Mhor and Sgurr Ruadh, Beinn Damh, Baosbheinn and Beinn an Eoin, A' Mhaighdean, An Teallach THE FAR NORTH - Area Overview, Villages, where to stay and eat, The Hillwalks: Seanna Bhraigh, Ben Mor Coigach, Quinaig, Suilven, Foinaven, Ben Stack, Ben Hope, Ben Loyal THE ISLANDS - Area Overview, Villages, where to stay and eat, The Hillwalks: Arran: Goatfell and Beinn Tarsuinn, Mull: Ben More, Mull: Bein Talaidh, Rum: Askival and Ainshval, Skye: Bla Bheinn, Skye: Sgurr nan Gillean, Skye: Glamaig and Marsco, Skye: Quiniag and The Storr, South Uist: Beinn Mhor, Beinn Corodale and Hecla, Harris: Clisham, Harris: Ceapabhal, Lewis: Suinabhal THE BIG TREKS (Multi-day expeditions in the hills) - Knoydart: Kinlochhourn to Inverie 2-3 days, Cairngorms: Aviemore to Braemar 2-3 days, Fisherfield: Kinlochewe to Dundonnel 3-4 days, Lochaber: The Grey Corries and Ben Nevis traverse 2-3 days, Ben Alder Forest: Rannoch to Dalwhinnie 2-3 days (5) APPENDIX: Other hills (a brief selection of other hills worthy of attention), Place names, Bibliography