5 Top Tips for Self-guided Walks

Buy your walking boots well in advance, two or three months before your start date and wear them over a variety of terrain. Experiment with different thicknesses of socks until you find what suits you best. Ask for advice from a good outdoor retailer. If they’re reputable, they should allow you to take boots and rucksack home to try out. That way, you’ll have a better idea of comfort and whether the items you chose are right for you.

• Read our post about the best footwear for hiking in Scotland

Do you want to carry a full pack or would you prefer a luggage transfer? Even if you use a luggage transfer service don’t be tempted to pack too much or rely on be squeezing things in – remember you’ll be packing it again each morning. Get familiar with your rucksack before setting off on a multi-day hike. Fill it with your kit and get used to the weight. Adjusting your rucksack correctly can make a huge difference. All of our self-guided trails include luggage transfer and so you only need to carry your daypack while walking.

• Check out these tips for adjusting your rucksack correctly
• What to pack for the West Highland Way

Make sure you pack some snacks. Cereal bars, nuts and dried fruit are all light and tasty to snack on the way. We provide every guest booked on our self-guided trips with lots on information on the nearest amenities en route so you’ll always know where the next food stop is. I recommend taking enough cash to see you through the walk rather than relying on passing an ATM. That way you’ll never run out of money or go hungry.

Wear layers, always. The old adage of several thin layers being more versatile that one thick one is true. Look for lightweight, fast-drying fabrics. Some of us prefer merino wool as a base layer year round as it’s comfortable and can be worn for several days without washing.

• In Scotland a waterproof jacket and trousers are essential items – we like Haglofs products and their sustainable approach 
• Read our post about the most trusted sites to get a weather forecast in Scotland

Think about how you want to approach this experience, the distance you want to cover each day and where you want to be come nightfall. Scotland’s long distance routes get very busy so you’ll need to book ahead, especially in high season. On our self-guided trips we will make sure you are booked into comfortable accommodation so you can concentrate on the route. If you want the path to yourself then think about starting on a weekday or with long summer evenings you could set off a little bit later in the day and still have plenty of daylight ahead of you.

• Watch our film to see what’s included in our self-guided trips