Walks
As you can see, we love walking. Here is a collection of walks we have done, mostly since moving to Aberdeen. There's something for everyone here though we are becoming increasingly enthusiastic about climbing Munros and other big hills. If you are a walker, or these pages have inspired you, why not try some out. We won't go into route detail here so you will have to find further detail for most of these walks but there is details of useful books and websites. If you have or do try any of these walks, drop us a line to let us know how you found it.
Resources
Before setting off on a walk, whether you chose it from this website, another website, a friends recommendation or just come up with it yourself, you need to know exactly where you are going. In addition to a map - I don't think there is any reason to look beyond Ordnance Survey - you will need at least a basic description of the route or have planned it yourself in detail unless you are walking in an area that you are extremely familiar with or have excellent navigation skills. Below is a list of sources that we have used for the walks in this section.
All of the maps and books in this section, along with the equipment discussed below, can be bought from Tiso, either in one of our 14 stores (Scotland, Belfast and Newcastle) or from our website.
I see no reason to look beyond Ordnance Survey for maps. They are reliable and widely available. There are also a number of electronic maps available. Memory Map allows you to plan routes in advance on your PC, print off relevant sections of map and annotate your routes with notes or pictures. The 3D function gives you a better idea of just how steep that hill is! The functions are increased even more if used in conjunction with GPS.
Pocket Mountains books are available for the West Highlands, Northern Highlands, Southern Highlands, Central Highlands, Cairngorms, Islands, Southern Uplands and Lake District. The beauty of these books is that all the walks (40 in each book) are circular. In some of these areas public transport is limited so this is a big advantage!
Walking in the Cairngorms (Cicerone) provides a greater range of walks, including a number of different ascents of the regions main mountains. Cicerone produce a large number of such guides for the UK and internationally.
Pathfinder Guides (Jarrold) provide details of lower level walks in the Aberdeen and Royal Deeside edition and also produce guides to cover most of the UK
The Country Walking and Trail magazine websites contain a variety of routes. You need to register to acces them and there is a small charge for many of them.
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Get Hill Walking!
If these pages have inspired you to get out into the hills - and I hope they have - this section gives you a few tips to get started.
Clothing
There are some pieces of kit that are essential for safety and comfort but that doesn't necessarily mean you have to break the bank. Walking boots are a must. Some people do go hill walking in shoes but I think ankle support is important once you get off low level, well maintained paths.
Clothing should be layered, giving maximum flexibility as the weather can change rapidly during the course of a day. Cotton is best avoided, particularly against the skin, as it is not very breathable and will retain moisture from perspiration. Not only will this make you uncomfortable but the moisture against your skin will also make you very cold in low temperatures or during inactive moments. There are a number of baselayers on the market to suit every budget. We both use Icebreaker, made from pure merino wool, which is both more breathable and comfortable than polycotton synthetic options. It is also more expensive however.
Fleece or merino mid-layers provide excellent warmth. During summer months I tend to use micro-fleece but will use something heavier over the winter.
A waterproof outer shell is a must no matter how good the forecast is. This will also be windproof and breathable jackets are very affordable. It is not necessary to wear Gore-Tex as most major manufacturers now use their own breathable membrane that is perfectly adequate for most people, in most situations and conditions. It is important to look after your jacket. Technical garmets should be washed in a pure soap or tech wash such as that available from Granger's or Nikwax. Unlike a normal detergent, these will not leave a residue which will block pores and reduce breathability. It is also essential to re-apply the Durable Water-Repellent coating that will be on your jacket when it is bought. This will enable water to bead and run off the face fabric. If water is allowed to sit on the surface of the jacket it will again impair breathability and may soak through to the membrane, which it can pass through. How often you need to re-apply the DWR will depend on the amount of use and conditions. Inside the sleeves, and the shoulders where rucsac straps rub are the usual first places where the DWR will wear off.
Waterproof overtrousers or quick drying trousers will ensure that a sudden downpour doesn't cause discomfort. Again, 100% cotton trousers are inadvisable.
A hat and gloves are required all year in Scotland so keep some in your rucsack. You should wear appropriate socks with reasonable cushioning and again avoid cotton. A scarf or buff are also a good idea to prevent the cold getting in at the collar. A sun hat is also a good idea in the summer.
Always be prepared to add or remove layers when you become uncomfortable, even if it seems likely that you will need to change again five minutes later. Taking a few minutes to get comfortable is well worth it.
Maps, Guides and Books
A map is an absolute must. Ordnance Survey are the obvious choice though you may find others on the market. Make sure you have a map (or maps) that covers the whole of your walk and you should also never go out in the hills without a compass - it is surprising how disorienting it can be at the top of a hill, particularly on a plateau, and you never know when the weather will turn!
Unless you have walked a route before or know the area very well it is also advised to use a route from a book or website such as those mentioned above.
Any guide will give an expected time for the route. Don't treat this as gospel. These times cannot take into account how long you may spend route finding, admiring views and wildlife or just stopping for lunch or a breather. Use these times as a rough guide but make sure you know what time it will get dark and don't take any chances. If you think you may end up walking in the dark, take a head torch with you at the very least.
Other Equipment
Once you have your maps and the right boots and clothing you are ready to hit the hills. There are a few other bits of kit worth considering, however.
Sun cream is sensible over the summer. All day exposed to the elements, even on a cloudy day, can result in burnt skin, especially when combined with wind which is very likely on high ground.
Walking poles are optional. We find them very useful when crossing burns or tackling steep, rough descents. Many people manage very well without them, however.
GPS (Global Positioning System) is again an optional piece of kit. GPS can help you determine your position to within a couple of metres and, if used alongside software such as Memory Map, you can programme your route into your GPS to be sure that you don't stray and check afterwards that you took the route you intended!
Food and Drink
You must take plenty of fluids with you. We usually just take plenty of water and a flask of tea. A good tip with the tea is to add sugar to take away the 'flasky' taste. There are a number of energy drinks on the market if you feel you need a bit of a boost.
Take a good lunch - it is often advisable to take two lunch breaks. This means that you will get a couple of good rests and will not set off following a heavy meal. Also take snacks with you for extra energy. We usually go for something like a Snickers bar and some Kendal mint cake. They are an ideal pick me up when you feel your energy running low.
Winter advice to follow
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