i'm just starting to plan a walking tour of scotland. considering the rob
roy, speyside, great glen, west highland, or all 4. i like to backpack and
camp w/ a stop every 3-4 days at a bb to cleanup. when's the best time to
go to avoid crowds and still enjoy the weather. looks like accommodations
and transport are readily available? any comments appreciatted. would this
be considered safe to solo? thanx, rick

Following up to Rick Grigutis

    >i'm just starting to plan a walking tour of scotland. considering the rob
    >roy, speyside, great glen, west highland, or all 4.

What's the Rob Roy?
West Highlands will be best but read below
"http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/page38.htm#highlands"

    > i like to backpack and
    >camp w/ a stop every 3-4 days at a bb to cleanup. when's the best time to
    >go to avoid crowds and still enjoy the weather. looks like accommodations
    >and transport are readily available? any comments appreciatted. would this
    >be considered safe to solo? thanx, rick

May-June. Completely safe. Transport will need a bit of planning,
depending on what you intend to do.

Books
"http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/page63.htm"

The "High mountains of Britain and Ireland" about halfway down page.
(too big to carry in backpack) You could get "The Munros" (a bit
smaller) in UK.

The mountains are quite varied, the further west you go the more
rugged they get, culminating in Skye where they get serious. The far
north is characterised by flat land with widely spaced impressive
mountains. The islands are fascinating. For a low level walk you could
do the west highland way.

Rick, the best place for extra info is "uk.rec.walking" but you *must*
title your post something like "Scottish walking (not from a student)"
as there is a spate of silly kids on a IT course posting rubbish and
you would get a funny reception! Read the stuff on my web site then
go to that newsgroup, there are lots of Scottish walkers and climbers
there who will give detailed advice + you will pick up lots by reading
other thread, do read "midges" threads :-(. Tell them if you want glen
(valley) walks or if you want to tackle easy or hard hills.
Good luck with the trip.

A recommendation: Camp or take a room at the "Clachaig Inn" in
Glencoe, you could do this walk maybe, (look at the pictures)
"http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/page61.htm"
Afterwards try "Fraoch" heather ale and then join in a Ceideil (sp?
pronounced "kaley") in the bar.
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Fellwalking, photos, London & the Thames path "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk"
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" (see web for email)

"Rick Grigutis" wrote
    | i'm just starting to plan a walking tour of scotland. considering the rob
    | roy, speyside, great glen, west highland, or all 4. i like to backpack
and
    | camp w/ a stop every 3-4 days at a bb to cleanup. when's the best time to
    | go to avoid crowds and still enjoy the weather. looks like accommodations
    | and transport are readily available? any comments appreciatted. would
this
    | be considered safe to solo? thanx, rick

www.syha.org.uk - Scottish Youth Hostel Assoc.

Owain