One practical question to a sheet, newest first. Sheet numbers follow the order in which we filed them.
621 October 2026
Getting there
Old guides still tell you to buy a Hopscotch ticket. Today you book each leg yourself, in one go, through CalMac's multiple-journey option. It is simple, once you know the order to do things in.
516 September 2026
Hills
In settled summer weather, a fit beginner can walk up the Mountain Track. It takes most people seven to eight hours. The hard part is the summit plateau in cloud, and it pays to think about that first.
412 August 2026
Long walks
Six to seven days for most people. The 96 miles from Milngavie to Fort William can be done faster, but the choice of stages matters more than the total.
31 July 2026
Field health
They usually appear in May, peak in July and August and fade with the first frosts. Midges can ruin your evening, but ticks are the ones to take seriously for your health.
29 June 2026
Wildlife
Aim for late May to mid-July. Puffins spend the rest of the year far out at sea, so a good sighting comes down to dates, boats and a bit of luck with the weather.
119 May 2026
Access
Yes, on most land, and with more freedom than anywhere else in Britain. The catch is a short list of conditions, plus one national park with its own rules for half the year.
