Backpacking transportation routes - Help needed

[gdivanov]

Hey, guys!

My name is Grisha and I'm a new graduate from Canada looking for some backpacking and nature camping.

I'm in need of a little help getting some fuzzy means of transportation solidified. I'm staying in Scotland from August 8th to the 27th and am meeting my friend for his wedding the 25th in Aberdeen.

First I'm landing in Glasgow the 8th of August and want to leave the 10th to head to the Isle of Skye for the Skye Trail found on the main website (cannot link yet).

1) First stop Rubha Hunish (Aug 10-15) - I want to take the cheapest route of buses I can to reach the lookout or somewhere close by and set up tent somewhere near for the first night. I found this site to kind of guide me but I'm unsure how to purchase tickets called "Moovit" but it's vague and I can't quite figure out the ticket purchasing or timetable.

2) Off to Aberdeen (Aug 16-17) - After I finish my Skye trek I need to head over to Aberdeen directly. This seems to be the most difficult task as I can't find any means of getting there. I would prefer to rent a car somehow (or even hitchhike) but there's nothing out there that's been able to help me.

3) Head to the Shetland Isles (Aug 17-24) - Spending one day with my friend's family I want to find a boat to take me to the South Mainland and Mousa to spend 2-3 days hiking. I then want to walk through the Central Mainland, Papa, Bressay and Noss along the coast. Lastly, I'd like to check out Unst, Yell and Fetlar and sleep alongside the beaches in my tent.

If anyone can give me suggestions on how to effectively get transportation all throughout these 3 stages it would be extremely helpful to me; even if that means giving me a site to look through or guides/timetables for boats/buses.

Thanks so much in advance!

[abbruce]

Best option for your Skye to Aberdeen leg is go through Inverness.

Not sure if you can get a bus direct, but should at least be a bus from Skye to Kyle of Lochalsh which should give you the option of either train or bus to Inverness.

From Inverness, you can either get a bus or train directly to Aberdeen. The bus station is next to the train station in both cities.

Can't help with the other two routes, sorry.

Enjoy it when you get here.

[neil m]

Quite easy to Get from Skye to Aberdeen (although it will take a long time)

A coach service runs from Portree to Inverness several times a day (there are several stops between Portree and the Skye Bridge). Once in Inverness just catch another coach or train to Aberdeen.

Did this last year and had no problems. Best to book in advance mind.

[Scottk]

Northlink Ferries run a regular service from Aberdeen to Shetland. There are also flights from Aberdeen to Scatsta or Sumburgh.