Cape Wrath Trail in August

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Quoted message said:

Also, I don't quite understand the restrictions of
stalking season. Does anyone know the stalking dates for the northwest
highland? I think I saw that many places start in early september. We
plan to finish our walk by august 25th or so. Any comments? With all
the negatives of going in August, is it worth going? Thanks in

Sept is generally drier, you could be lucky and get 20+degs every day !

Stalking - if you are the known path no probs. but check
http://www.snh.org.uk/hillphones/index.asp

Nick

On 26/5/05 17:42, in article
[email hidden],

Quoted post said:

Hello,
My friend and I are planning on starting the cape wrath trail in early
august.

I've always wanted to do this trek, indeed I bought the trail guide last
year. Midges don't like exposed places but you will come across them at
some point. You might consider buying a couple of midge/net hats! The
difference in a week won't really make much of a difference, but I'll defer
to those who are more knowledgeable about Scotland!

--
Andy Howell
Birmingham, UK

To mail simply put back the dots ...

Quoted message said:

starting the cape wrath trail in early august . .

Three months too late, or one month too early

Quoted message said:

the midges will be horrible (though hopefully

camping high up will alleviate that . .
No; Though we usually use AVON's product "Skin So Soft"

Quoted message said:

restrictions of stalking season.

Usually starts later, but grouse start mid-August 'Glorious 12th'.
VisitScotland.com should have something on dates & Tel No.

If you start early at Durness (first ferry) you can come out at
Sandwood Bay at the end of the day. The ferry bus will drop you at
Cape Wrath.

Your feet will get wet crossing burns, but . . . .

Phil

Don't concern yourself about Grouse shooting - very few grouse in the
North-West. Grouse shooting is mainly confined to the East and
Central Highlands.

www.caledoniahilltreks.com

I recall a line of butts on the path into Lone bothy. I wondered if
they were for Grouse - or maybe ducks on Loch Stack?

druidh

bielenbe said:

My friend and I are planning on starting the cape wrath
trail in early august.

May is THE best month for walking anywhere in Scotland;
it's driest and before the midges come out. August on the
west cost will be horrible beyond anything you can imagine.

For stalking info check out www.hillphones.info
although I don't think coverage is good in the far north.
Note that rights of way (see http://www.scotways.com/ )
should never be affected by stalking (don't know how much the
CW trail uses them though).

There are quite a few bothies on your route (at least judging
by the number of entries by Cape Wrath trailers I've seen
in bothy books up there). If your guidebook doesn't list
them join the Mountain Bothy Association
http://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/
to get the list (and even if you know where they are, join
anyway to support their work; you'll be glad to get out
of the rain. The members handbook also has crucial info
on access to them during stalking season).

Contrary to another poster, I'd suggest walking on from
Sandwood Bay to Cape Wrath and then trying to get the
minibus to pick you up to get across the firing range
to Durness (check when the range is in use though!).
The bay to the east of Cape Wrath marked as Kearvaig
is a lovely spot to stay too.

Tim

Quoted message said:

Contrary to another poster, I'd suggest walking on from
Sandwood Bay to Cape Wrath and then trying to get the
minibus to pick you up to get across the firing range
to Durness (check when the range is in use though!).
The bay to the east of Cape Wrath marked as Kearvaig
is a lovely spot to stay too.

Second this.... An amazing walk. Along with teh west coast of Hoy, my
favourite coastal walk.

Ring the Cape Wrath Hotel (its in Durness BTW) before leaving
Oldshoremore, to confirm if the minibus is running.

Richard Webb