Hi I am after some suggestions, I am going to Edinburgh for new year, and staying around for some days after, so I was looking for suggestions on some good places to go hillwalking, not too far from their, especially as I will be using public transport and would like ideally to camp.
Depends what you mean by far away. There are loads of possibilities if you're happy adding a couple of hours on a train to get there.........
Pitlochry up the central / east line to climb Ben Vrackie is a great trip, is walkable from the station, can camp rough up there if you want, pretty easy walking nice campsite beneath summit by a loch. Good beer in the Moulin Hotel by the bottom too!!! Takes 2-3 hours by train I think.
Buses also are helpful to drop you in the bigger mountain areas like Crianlarich (can get there by train as well).
Then again the Pentlands are a 30min bus ride out of town and are lovely to walk in probably possible to camp as well.
Depends what you want really, how many days, how close you want to be to Edinburgh etc.
I am going to be in scotland for about ten days and happy to be a couple of hours away from Edinburgh, but I do need to be around Edinburgh for a couple of days before new year, the Pentlands sound like a option, I am just a bit conerned about camping in that area, do you know how remote it is?
Not very. It is right by Edinburgh with big roads either side and some reasonable paths all over, especially the bit near the dry ski slope. Have not ventured much further than the Kips (a couple of the wee hills) in them to be honest. They reach about 580m and you are never more than a couple of hours from roads and the like.
They are well suited to a nice day walk or a 2 day wander, but it would be nothing to strenuous. Very easy walking, but great that they are right on the doorstep so to speak. Have not spent a night out there, but I know people who have quite a few times without any issues.
Sure can, Matthew. The Ochils lie to the NorthWest of Edinburgh and run roughly east to west, petering out near Stirling.
A traverse is possible in a day but you could take in most of the highest tops in a couple of leisurely days. Highest point btw is Ben Cleuch at 721m.
Get a train/bus to Stirling and then a bus out to Menstrie, Alva, Tillicoutry or Dollar. There's easy access to the hills at pretty much any point along that road so take your pick. The hills are bordered by main roads so there shouldn't be a problem getting transport back to your start point.
It's sheep country but discrete wild camping is possible either up in the hills or down in the numerous cleuchs. (Local word for glen)
Try and get your hands on the Harveys map of the area cos the OS one doesn't do it justice.
If you're interested, drop me a line nearer the time. I'm out there most weekends so I should be able to suggest a couple of interesting day walks.
Cheers
KD
PS Try and keep a day free for the Pentlands Round. Not to be missed, esp on a fine day.
