Map first and always - the GPS is just a toy that's nice to have as well.

Batteries don't run out on maps!

With two cars, starting at the top (East), and a reliable weather window I think this is do-able for the ages you describe IF they are hill-fit - i.e can keep plodding on at a steady pace all day, are good for the height gain - which is not too bad going West, and have a head for heights. Hmm - quit...

Well deserved, but again I'd not want to call the shots - so many fine reports, and so MANY great pictures.

Must get a better camera - and one that doesn't chew through the batteries would be good.

Welcome youth! Good to hear you planning to temper your spirits with some altitude - just remember that a wild night drinking means you'll be truly dehydrated on the hill and carry LOTS of water! Especially if the weather holds out - based on the amount I drank without needing to offload I think I l...

HI Myth, Thanks for that info. (I also had a reply to a private message to Caberfeidh) We have decided to leave the campervan at home and camp wild. We hope to walk Blaven and fish in loch Slapin if the weather is good. We then may move back to the mainland and do the ring of steal or brothers ridg...

Too grippy to use a campsite??? ... A lot of the campsites are only a fiver a night, surely not too much for toilets and showers? Hmm. A common opinion in Highland Council too - although their rules were/are based on ignorance and self interest. All the campsites in Scotland I've stayed on cost MUC...

Some years ago I walked out from Cairn Gorm in the mist and there was a continuous line of cairns along the path to Ben MacDui.... Continuous is stretching a bit, and the path is well less than arrow like! There are still some cairns, but smaller than twenty years ago, and over the rock fields, onl...

Could have my arm twisted... I should be eligible for a day pass by then.

Not done the whole South ridge, although I've overlooked the bits I've got left from North, South and East!

Hi all well thats another Munro topped (Ben MacDui) but not bagged as we could not find the triggpoint for the clouds :? That's well clever - MacDui is a fairly clear rise on all sides to the trig/shelter... very, very unlucky! I have been most fortunate on that hill, and have (I think) always seen...

..The bite then itches solidly and horridly ... swells up dramatically One got me today betwixt car and house - fast mover. Bit back of my left hand just above ring finger. From bitter experience I removed said ring before my hand blew up - two knuckles and a finger joint all puffed up and bright r...

Essex is a LONG way!

Welcome to the forum, and look forward to reading about some "English" walks!

ooooh a completer - Congrats!

I enjoy two areas too much to worry about such things

fishing... puts me to sleeeeep. MacKenzie EXACTLY.... After a hard days walking/cycling/canoeing/etc. take up thy rod, pester the fish and relax for an hour or three through the evening rise. Wind down, catch breakfast, and slide off to sleep doubly satisfied. Works for me! I forgot about flies - g...

...Second would be the Anderson at Fortrose; some of the best real ales in the Highlands, plus one of the few pubs to sell real cider, a massive selection of bottled foreign beer, plus fabulous food and friendly owners. Also thought I'd nominate it as probably no-one else has heard of it :lol: ... ...

Caberfeidh or Paul are your men on Skye... but I've spent quite a lot of time low level walking over there, often with a rod. On Skye itself the "rivers" are actually almost all spate streams - there is really very little head of fish, other than spate run salmon, and the local brownies in...