Having walked the Lakes for many years, and Snowdonia and the Alps too I know that I have badly missed out on Scotland - for many very poor excuses. I feel that I ought to put this to rights. My only experience there is a few days in a very wet Glencoe 30+ years ago (Buachille Etive Mor etc) and Ben Lomond 15 years back.

I would like some advice as to the best area to go to if I can create three or four days for some solo walking. Travelling up from Cumbria. And some possible routes too. I am not that keen, anymore, on lots of exposure or scrambling, although do not mind a bit of rock between my feet. Nor do I want long walks in! TGO, of course, prints routes monthly but they always look dauntingly long and I could do with three or four decent walks in a reasonably compact geographical area. Being in my 50's I am comfortable with 5/6 hours walks but much longer than this tends to wreck my knees for the following day! I am out in the Lakes almost evey weekend, though, so am reasonably competent, although clearly used to a smaller scale than Scotland. And does anybody know of a guide to pronunciation of Scottish hills and place names so I do not make an even bigger prat of myself when talking to Scottish walkers?

David,
You could do a lot worse than base yourself in Aviemore or Kingussie for a few days and you'll find plenty of shorter walks in the Monadhliath or in the Cairngorms. People tend to get a bit worried about long distances in the Gorms but the high level car park (buses from Aviemore) on Cairn Gorm cuts distances drastically. Try Beinn MacDhui from there or climb Bynack Mor from Glenmore. Meall a' Buachaille is a great afternoon walk from Glenmore too. If you don't want to go to the high tops then the whole of Rothiemurchus Pine Forest offers plenty of options. Or try A Cailleach from Newtonmore, or Geal Charn from Laggan, both shortish hill walks.

Thanks Cameron. I will get the relevant OS maps and check these areas out. Then I just need to find a few days leave from work....

Hi - You could check this website out - some interesting looking walks and some help on pronunciation too.


Walking Highlands

For pronunciations try this site Munro Magic
There is speaker icon beside the mountain names when you go to the detail view.