No matter whether you’re a beginner taking a West Highland Way guided tour, or you’re experienced in hiking and familiar with the terrain, there are always safety tips to bear in mind.
Planning ahead and studying the chosen route is always essential. Guided or not, always make sure you have the planned hike on a map, and you can follow it. Keep an eye for more difficult terrain, or where bad weather could pose a problem, and have options for how to best avoid them.
Always make sure that everyone in your group is fit and able enough to manage the journey, and everyone is properly equipped. It’s always good to push yourself, but don’t ask too much of yourself or anyone else. Start easy, and gradually build up your experience.
Checking the weather will help you significantly. For the weather to expect on the day the most reliable mountain weather forecasts can be found from the Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) and from the Met Office. Check the forecasts in the days before your trip and have a final check on the day itself.
Remember, too, that one of the main considerations in any weather forecast for hill walks is not whether or not it will rain, but information about the strength and direction of the wind.
Make sure you have all the right kit for your journey, including both clothing and equipment – and not forgetting adequate provision for food and water. You should carry a paper map, a compass if your route is a hill walk, and a headtorch for longer routes. It may help to make a list of your essential kit and tick items off as they go into the rucksack.
For clothing, a layering system is most effective for the conditions you will expect to meet in the Scottish mountains. This consists of a base layer, a mid layer and an outer layer. The base layer should be quick drying and wick moisture away from your skin, so this is best being made of either merino wool or manmade fibres.
The mid layer is for insulation. This will most likely be a thin fleece or wind shirt in summer, or a thicker fleece in winter. The outer layer is for protection from wind and rain, and should be a waterproof fabric.
Always think ahead, and share best practice for keeping safe, and looking out for others. There are many Scottish hiking tours on offer, so visit us today.