Shamefully  I admit I've never been any further than Glasgow and that was due to work. So this year, because I have to give climbing in the Dolomites a miss (neck & back problems) I'm off to Scotland for an adventure......only problem is I cannot decide where to go. Thought of heading up as far as Ullapool and then gradually work my way back south & home. I'd like to include some walking/climbing, kayaking and sea fishing. I'll be camping or hostelling along the way & in a car. Soooo, and I know its a big ask, but .......if anyone has any suggstions / recommendations for camp sites / hostels, must see places I'd love to hear them. I'm off for two weeks starting this Saturday. Cheers folks 
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 Starting in Ullapool sounds like a cracking idea although you could probably spend your entire two weeks there! Seriously rather than try to make your way all the way from one end of Scotland to the other I'd maybe pick just one or two and explore them properly. Other areas to consider could be Torridon, Skye or Lochaber. I could easily spend a fortnight in any of those! Good route descriptions on scottishhills.com as well. Good luck and enjoy!
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Thanks for these excellent links. AT, I think maybe you are right, I'm trying to pack too much into one trip. I'll pick one area and enjoy, then there is all the more reason to keep going back. Thanks
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 I alway reckon that if you are new to hillwalking in Scotland, buy Ralph Storer's '100 Best Routes on Scottish Mountains'. You can either compile a Scotland-wide wishlist, or select one or two area and pick out a few choice routes.
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Since you were going to the Dolomites, I suspect you enjoy scrambling, so a good way for you to come back from Ullapool would be along the A832 right round the coast and head for Torridon - you'll pass some of the great Scottish scrambles like An Teallach, Beinn Eighe and Liatach, and much of the time you'll be very close to the sea so you can kayak and fish easily. Pretty sure you can hire fishing boats at Ullapool too. Torridon youth hostel is a great place to stay - they even have a webcam.
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| Edited: 08/07/08 10:34 |
 Ullapool's a decent base, plenty of good walking both north and south of Ullapool. Hostel wise, I'd recommend checking out the Scottish Bunkhouses, I can't recall the website but it should be easy to find, generally their well run and great value. The SYH hostel at Ullapool is handily located by the harbour, and within walking distant of numer of fish n chippies. Don't just concentrate on the munros, there's some excellent hills just north of Ullapool, Suilaven (spelling probably wrong) and Stac Polly being two of many. The latter's excellent if the weather's clagged in as it's lower and often out of cloud.
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 To add to Lloyd's list of hills just north of Ullapool - Ben More Coigach. Great hill, great views and also a Graham (2,000 - 2,500 feet) as is Stac Pollaidh and Suilven. In fact I'll also add a few Corbetts to the list - Cul Mor, Cul Beag, Canisp and Quinag. Just back from 4 days further north, well almost as far north as you can go, and had a superb time on Sabhal Beag, Meall Horn, Arkle, Foinaven and Ben Stack . A link to my trip report and photos will be added to my thread when I have time but I'm about 3 weeks behind at the moment.
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Would second ALSs suggestion of a week in Ullapool followed by a week in Torridon! And to add to Lloyd's advice to not just concentrate on the Munros, don't forget you can also go for a walk along the beach at Sandwood Bay
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And I take my own advice AT! We're off on Friday for a week in a cottage by the beach in Aultbea on the edge of Loch Ewe - An Teallach is 30km one way and Beinn Eighe 40km the other - a hard life eh?! and then another week just wandering about - probably further north. Sandwood Bay was on our list!
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That sandwood bay link is a great website - nice one 'TIGER' - even more things for me to add to the list to go see sigh, one could spend years around Scotland.....
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sigh, one could spend years around Scotland.....
Aye Tony, you just need to move up here! There are some advantages to being a Yorkshireman exiled in Scotland!  I can be on Arran in an hour, Glencoe in about two and a half hours Does take a bit longer to get to Ullapool and Torridon though! Have fun ALS, you lucky sod!
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I would agree with the Ayreshire Tiger's opinion, Sandwood Bay is indeed a wonderful place. It's possible to cycle there on the track from the car park to the south.
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So much to do and not enough annual leave. . I'm booked into the Oban Lodge hostel for two nights and then heading up to Ullapool, Torriden and who knows where. Only two more days at work then I'm off and I'm soooo looking forward this. Perhaps a blessing in disguise that I cannot make it to Dolomites this year. Thank you all so much for yor sound advice, as always, and for the superb links its really helped to kick start my hols.
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Have a good time Annie .. if you're after some fantastic local seafood and happen to be near Lochcarron (about 20km down the road from Torridon) the Kishorn Seafood Bar is well worth stopping at - it looks like a small wooden chalet from outside, but serves great food inside.
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 Or the Applecross Inn if you're passing, a designated driver allows great beer AND great food.
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Thanks ALS & Kinley, they are now on my list of things not to miss. I love seafood and I've been told some of the best to be had is in Scotland.
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Oh, the Applecross Inn! I'd forgotten that little gem! Interesting drive to get there as well! Enjoy your hols! Edit to add LOL at one of the guest comments from the Applecross Inn website: "The best honeymoon I've ever had." Jim and Doreen, Glasgow. Only a Weegie could come out with that!
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| Edited: 09/07/08 19:23 |
Wasnt both of those featured on that 'The Woman who ate Scotland' program??? I have them on my list too  As for annual leave, do what i am doing and taking a gap year.... ....at 35 
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