I’m scared!

As I write this, a few days before my departure date, I’m nervous. I’m looking out of the window, and occasionally, when I dare, looking at the weather forecasts, and I do wonder if this is a wise thing to do. I’m half expecting to get off the ferry and be told to turn around and go home and not to be so stupid as to try this walk. I really hope I’m not being reckless. I do have a sick feeling in my stomach about what I’m about to do – like I have no right to be doing it or to be there – and I’m going to get caught out.

So the plan, detailed below, is really to overcome the setbacks I had in November last year (2024) when I failed to walk the West Highland Way and to also add a few bits to make it more interesting. I know this is not the best time of year to be tackling these walks, but I do have some sound (ish) reasons for the timing.

The first, and most obvious, is that it beat me last time. It wasn’t a nice feeling to fall short. At the time I definitely made the right decision. The ice had got pretty bad, and as very strong winds were also forecast I really had no choice but to leave the trail. However, if I hadn’t had commitments at home, and so a deadline to complete the walk, I would have just hunkered down and waited out the weather. So this time, I have no deadlines, no pressing commitments, so if the same thing happens, I can hopefully wait it out.

The second is that the trails are quieter this time of the year. It’s always hard to predict but certainly the WHW can be very busy. I really don’t know about the Hebridean Way and the Great Glen Way was quiet last time I did it, but being out of season ensures there won’t be many walkers. So I’m hopeful that I’ll have the trails to myself, and if last year is anything to go by, the views will be just as good, if not better. Obviously there are drawbacks to this. Most cafes and shops will be closed as there is little passing trade, and also there will be less people around if anything goes wrong. Hopefully the reward will outweigh the risk.

And finally, because it’s cold, I don’t think I’ll have to contend with any midges. Let’s hope that I’m right on that one, and nothing comes back to bite me!

Weather

Ignoring the ice and high winds last year, I’m normally pretty lucky with the weather. I’ve had a few wet and windy days during my past endeavours but always enough good weather to compensate and give me a chance to dry my clothes and recover.

I’ll be honest, I am worried this time. I’ve heard that the Outer Hebrides are very exposed, with little shelter, and strong winds, so I honestly don’t know what to expect. I hope I haven’t made a huge mistake and I’m going to end up looking stupid for even attempting this. I’m trying not to think about it but it’s certainly on my mind. I just hope there will be walls or something similar to pitch my tent behind if conditions are bad.

I think I’ve got the right kit to cope with cold so that side doesn’t particularly worry me, although maybe it should, if anything I’d rather it too cold than too hot. It’s also been an incredibly mild year, walking the SWCP in April in a heatwave made me realise this, so who knows what’s in store.

I’m trying to predict the future here of course, and I can’t control the weather, but it doesn’t stop me worrying. I think rain is my biggest worry, but even then, I just need to make sure I keep certain items dry, and then I’ll be fine.

Public transport

As I said before, I’m scared about this trip. But Jenny told me that I’m always nervous.

I think if I was heading back to the SWCP I’d be ok because I know that path and I feel comfortable there, it’s a bit like returning home, but we can’t always do things we know and are familiar with. So, it’s right that I put myself in uncomfortable positions, even if, at the time, it’s a but scary.

However, and I think this is partly the reason I’m doing this, on this trip I get to use lots of different modes of transport, and to travel through some amazing places. So, even though I’m worried about Wednesday when I start walking, I’m really looking forward to getting up to the start of the walk.

I’ve always been a ‘it’s the journey’ rather than ‘the destination’ sort of person. When I was planning the trip I felt so lucky that I’d be able to travel on a train through the highlands, on a ship for 5 hours to get to the Outer Hebrides, and then some shorter rides to hop up the islands. Then, finally, getting back to the mainland on another ship followed by a bus ride to Inverness.

I think, even without the walking, I would enjoy this. I just love traveling ‘for the sake of it’, rather than having a good reason to go somewhere. When I realised I could potentially do this I was looking for the catch. I couldn’t understand why everyone doesn’t do it. I’m really excited – let’s just hope for some good views and that someone has cleaned the windows on the train!

My Kit List

Cooking

Sleeping

Around Camp

Walking Gear

Packing and carrying

Electronics

Consumables

Camping, supplies and nerves

Jenny was talking to me in the kitchen last night and said she was starting to realise I was going away again. It made me feel a sad. Although she is meeting up with me at the end of this one and we’re going to spend a few days in Scotland together so hopefully that’ll take the edge of it for her (and me). The discussion though did poke at my nerves as well and I’ve definitely got a sick feeling in my stomach. I will definitely miss Jenny and it makes me wonder about why I do these things to myself.

Like I previously said, I’m worried about the time of year and that I’m being stupid doing the walk. But I’m trying to just focus on the things that I know are going to be a challenge and deal with them.

The first is that this is likely to be the most nights in a row that I’ve wild camped. The most I’ve ever done in a row is 4 nights and I think it will be many more than that. I don’t think that it will necessarily be a problem, but it is certainly new, so something I need to be aware of. Along with that, and because I’ll be so far north and it’s winter, the nights will be very long. I’m not sure of the exact timings but it will get dark at around 4pm and not be light again until 8am at the earliest. That will be a lot of time in my tent. I’ve got a little dream that I’ll get to see the Northern Lights so that’ll pass the time, but that may be fanciful.

The other issue I have is the lack of shops on the route. So I will be carrying more food than I’m usually used to, and because I don’t know how long it’ll take me to walk, I’m worried I’ll either have too much or not enough. I think I need to spend some more time between now and next week to look at where open shops will be so I can plan a little. But I suppose too much is definitely better than too little in terms of food!

There are a lot of unknowns. Especially the Hebrides part. But I’m hoping that once I get walking, I can calm myself down, and things will just work out. Looking at a map is totally different to when you’re actually on a trail so I’m sure I’ll soon adapt to whatever I find.