Hello from Northumberland

[Vagabond]

Hello everyone,

I`m from `tother side of the Border, over the Carter Bar and about a half hours` drive away, near the town of Alnwick, within the Northumberland National Park. We don`t have any mountains as such, but it is a beautiful area, if I say it myself lol.

Most of my walking I do, here in Northumberland , with occaisional forays over the Border into the Yarrow and Ettrick Valleys - an area I have come to love - so much history, but I digress!

I`m going on holiday shortly, and rather fancy the Trosachs - Loch Katrine looks very nice, or maybe Loch Vennachar - Brig `O` Turk area - somewhere where it`s quiet, not too many people, and where I can go walking in relative solitude. Not that I`m anti-social (quite the opposite), I just don`t want to travel all that way only to find myself surrounded by people at every juncture, ie crowds of other walkers` campers` etc. Hope this makes sense, but not having visited the area before, not really sure what to expect.

Would appreciate advice from other members familiar with the area.

Regards,

PS. Nice forums btw - much nicer than mine.

[Caberfeidh]

Hi and welcome!
If you are looking for a less crowded place, then the Trossachs are not for you, I'm afraid. They do get very busy in the summer (autumn is a better time to go there). Might I suggest the west higlands/ islands? Beautiful scenery with not so many hordes of people. In fact hardly a horde to be seen.

[Paul Webster]

Caberfeidh is right that the Trossachs are one of the busiest parts of the Highlands, as they are so accessible from the south. Still, they aren't nearly so busy as the English Lakes!

I've had a weekend in Alnwick, lovely place. What a castle! Went walking in the Cheviots afterwards; we hope to extend Walkhighlands to reach as far as Carter Bar in future!

[mountain coward]

I find most of the Highlands further north than, say, Crianlarich, are quiet during the week (which is when I go). Definitely not the Trossachs though - very beautiful but very busy - definitely Autumn during the week for those (or spring would be lovely). I find most areas in Scotland are mowed out on a weekend though...

[Vagabond]

Hi again,

Thanks for the welcomes - apologies for the belated reply. On reflection I think I shall postpone my highland adventures until the autumn - after the holiday season, when things have calmed down a bit - less people. Not as if the mountains are going to disappear any time soon lol, so no real hurry!

Nice photo`s btw, thanks for posting.

PS. Should have seen the crowds on the Carter Bar this lunchtime (Sat); like Piccadilly Circus.

http://www.northumbria-walkingforum.co.uk

[Caberfeidh]

Some lovely spots in autumn, even apparently treeless Glen Coe has hanging forests, up on the steep slopes where grazing animals cannot get at them.And Glen Nevis is nice too, with all the rowans and birch turning. Loch Lomond has its moments, as there is a lot of oak forest there.

[zebidee1]

Hello.

Welcome along.

[Tenbob]

As mountaincoward suggests, I would advise climbing during the week and early in the morning. Also, if you want he place to yourself you may only get this on "less fashionable" routes.