Scotland: The Highlands
Ben Vrackie, a circuit or out-and-back hike near Pitlochry, Perthshire
There is a fun circuit from Pitlochry to Ben Vrackie to Killiecrankie and back along the River Tummel to Pitlochry. It took me around 11 hours. The riverside portion is the easiest terrain, but it can be replaced with the bus from Killiecrankie to Pitlochry.
In preparation for the queen’s Diamond Jubilee bonfire in 2012, I lugged wood up to the peak. I was probably asleep in the hostel by the time the bonfire was lit - I don’t recall seeing it.
On my second visit, I was satisfied with the out-and-back hike from Pitlochry. And nobody asked me to carry any wood up.
Cairn Gorm circuit near Glenmore, Inverness-shire
I took a bus from Aviemore to the ski field parking lot, then did a circuit over Cairn Gorm and back across the floor of the corrie. I don’t recall how long it took, but I arrived by the second-earliest bus, and I had to jog to catch the last bus back. The alternative to the bus is walking from Glenmore. Glenmore seems like too isolated a place for non-driving tourists to stay.
Strathspey, Inverness-shire
Aviemore is a useful base for exploration for those without cars, due to various bus routes.
Craigellachie Nature Reserve is next to the youth hostel.
One bus goes to Cairn Gorm and Glenmore (above). From Glenmore, I
visited the Cairn Gorm reindeer herd,
hiked Meall a' Bhuachaille, and
traversed Creagan Gorm through Tulloch to the Loch Garten Osprey Centre at Abernethy. I can’t find this route online.
Another bus goes south along the highway to Kingussie Highland Wildlife Park and the Kincraig sheepdog show.
The first time I stayed at the Aviemore hostel, the showers had no cold water. The second time, I came prepared with a buzz cut, so as to take a quick shower. By then, the showers had cold water, but no hot water! What would happen if I were to stay there a third time?
Ben More-Stob Binnein circuit, Glen Dochart, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, near Crianlarich
This circuit took me around 12 hours, partly because I took the wrong route through the plantation forest near the end. I caught rides from and back to Crianlarich.
