Preparation is key to hiking, and the more prepared you are, the better you can face the unexpected.
When undertaking walking tours of the Scottish Highlands with a group, you are unlikely to get lost, but if there is a situation where you end up on ground that is unfamiliar to you, with nobody in the immediate vicinity to ask for assistance, here are the steps you should take.
Stop
As soon as you realise you may be lost, stop where you are, sit down and stay calm. This is a good opportunity to drink some water and eat a snack.
Do not panic and do not keep going, as you increase the chances of getting deeper into unfamiliar ground, and you need to focus to find where you are.
Think
Consider the route you have taken so far and what landmarks you should be able to see from where you believed you were.
If you have a map and compass take them out and find the direction you were heading in. Try to recall the last part of the hike where you were certain of your location.
You may not have the answers immediately, but by knowing what to consider you can start the process of recalling and retracing your steps.
Observe
Look around and note what you can see, and try to match the landmarks you see with their location on the map, which can help to create the first steps to plotting a route back.
As well as this, check where the sun is in the sky and if you have a watch or charged phone see how long you have until sunset. Take a look at the cloud coverage and what the weather looks likely to be in the next few hours.
Finally, check your backpack and resources. Check how much food and especially water you have and how long you expect them to last.
Plan
Finally, once you have all the information you are likely to gather, you can start making some plans.
If you feel confident with your observations that you know a route back, try to retrace your steps, but otherwise, look for ways to call for help.
If you have a charged phone with a signal call someone who can provide better information to you, otherwise blow a whistle three times, loudly. This is the universal signal for distress. Hang up or wave any bright objects you have to attract the attention of rescuers.