Quick outline:
- Why I went walking in Scotland
- Four real tours I tried
- What I loved, what bugged me
- Prices, gear, tiny mistakes I made
- Who each tour fits
- Final take
Here’s the thing. I love slow travel. Feet on ground. Snack in pocket. Rain on face. Scotland felt perfect for that. It wasn’t always smooth. It was worth it. If you want the blow-by-blow version, my full journal lives in “I Walked Scotland, One Step at a Time”.
Tour 1: West Highland Way (with Macs Adventure)
I did the West Highland Way in May. Seven days. About 96 miles. Macs Adventure set up my stays and moved my big bag. I just walked with a day pack. Mile by mile, from Milngavie to Fort William.
- What I paid: about £1,050 for one person, one week, with breakfasts.
- Group size: self-guided, so it was me and my own pace.
- Fitness level: moderate. Some long days. One big climb at the Devil’s Staircase.
Highs? Conic Hill over Loch Lomond felt magic. Need a comfy base by that same water? Check out my notes on where I stayed around Loch Lomond – real places, real nights before you book.
The path across Rannoch Moor looked like a movie set. In Glencoe, the light went gold, and a stag stared right at me. I ate a hot fish supper at the Real Food Café in Tyndrum and almost cried. Salt, heat, joy.
Lows? Midges near Inversnaid. Those tiny beasts love ankles. The path along the loch got rocky and slow. My left heel blistered on day three. Compeed saved me, but I still limped into Kinlochleven like a pirate.
Notes that helped:
- I used the OS Maps app and the Walkhighlands route notes. Both were clear.
- Travel-Lite moved my big bag each day. My shoulders thanked me.
Fancy a totally different pause day on the water? The hands-on fun at Loch Lomond Marina Park gives tired legs a break without dialing down the adventure. - I wore Darn Tough socks and a Rab rain jacket. Dry-ish is the goal here, not dry-dry.
Would I do it again? Yes. I’d bring a midge net in summer and start earlier each day. Quiet trail mornings felt like church.
Tour 2: Edinburgh Old Town Ghost Walk (Mercat Tours)
I booked the “Hidden and Haunted” night tour with Mercat Tours. About 1 hour 45 minutes. We met by the Tron Kirk and wandered down closes and into vaults. Old stones. Dark corners. Goosebumps.
- What I paid: £19
- Group size: 18 people
- Fitness level: easy, but the cobbles are slick when wet
Our guide, Isla, told stories in a steady, careful voice. Not cheesy. She let the silence do some of the work. We looked up at St Giles lit at night and I felt that tiny shiver you get when a city keeps its secrets. Not sure which month nails that moody glow? Peek at my month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Edinburgh before you lock dates.
A guy in our group dropped his phone on the steps. Clatter, panic, then a laugh. It broke the tension in a good way.
What I loved:
- Real history tied to place. Not just jump scares.
- The route stayed tight; no long gaps.
What bugged me:
- One alley was shoulder-to-shoulder. Felt crowded.
- A sudden loud bang in the vaults made a kid cry. Heads-up if you’ve got little ones.
Tip: Wear shoes with grip. Eat early. And bring a light layer; the vaults feel damp even in July. If you’re heading on to the Highlands after your city haunt, my straight-talk notes on getting from Edinburgh to Loch Lomond will save you ticket-search rabbit holes.
Tour 3: Isle of Skye – Quiraing Hike (with Skye Adventure)
Skye can switch moods fast. We met our guide, Calum, near the Quiraing car park on a windy morning. Half-day hike. Basalt towers. Moss like a green blanket thrown over stone.
- What I paid: £85 for the guided half-day
- Group size: 6 people
- Fitness level: easy to moderate; some bog, some edges, nothing wild
Calum had spare gloves and a funny story for every turn. He knew the safe lines when the path vanished in peat. We ate oatcakes and cheddar behind a rock to hide from the wind. A raven flew close like a scout. The views went from clear to cloud to clear again. Theater in the sky. Craving sand after all that rock? My first-person scoop on Scotland’s best beaches shows where to swap boots for bare feet.
What I loved:
- Local guide who knew where to stand for “that” photo.
- Steady pace with real breaks, not “five more minutes” lies.
What bugged me:
- Bog slog at the start. Dry feet? Ha.
- Parking was chaos. We met early to dodge the tour buses. Good call.
Tip: Wear boots, not sneakers. Gaiters help. A small thermos of tea was my best friend.
Want to mix in some paddle power or canyon splashes while you’re up here? Check out Can You Experience for a menu of Skye-based adventures that pair perfectly with a morning on the Quiraing.
Tour 4: Glasgow Mural Trail (Self-Guided)
I grabbed the city’s Mural Trail map at the tourist desk and made a lazy loop downtown. Free art, bold colors, no rush. It felt like a scavenger hunt.
- What I paid: free
- Group size: just me
- Fitness level: easy city walking
Favorites? The “Saint Mungo” mural and the giant panda made me grin. I stopped at Laboratorio Espresso for a flat white and a warm croissant. Glasgow feels friendly in a plain, honest way. A busker played Oasis. Folks sang along.
What I loved:
- No schedule. Stop for coffee, keep going.
- The art is big and bright. You can’t miss it.
What bugged me:
- Traffic noise in a few spots.
- A short rain burst smudged my notes. Pen, meet puddle.
Tip: Bring a tote for a quick charity shop find. I scored a wool scarf for £3 that I still wear.
The Good Stuff No One Tells You
- You need Smidge for midges. It works. Keep it in your side pocket.
- Weather swings fast. I used the Met Office app and checked it like a hawk.
- Book dinners in small towns. Kinlochleven and Skye fill up.
- Cash is useful for small buses and public loos. Most places take cards, but not all.
- Ticks exist. Quick leg check in the shower is smart.
Long-distance paths and hostel common rooms can also spark unexpected chemistry with fellow hikers. If you ever find yourself curious about keeping those trail flings light, respectful, and drama-free, this straight-talk guide to casual sex lays out clear consent rules, safety pointers, and communication tips so you can focus on scenery, not stress. Back on home turf and looking for discreet, vetted company without the travel miles? A quick browse through Waxhaw escorts connects you with professionals who value privacy, clear expectations, and a zero-drama approach—ideal for recreating that carefree connection stateside.
Small Fails I Learned From
- My boot lace snapped on Rannoch Moor. I used a spare from my pack. If you don’t carry one, wrap paracord round your water bottle. It’s handy.
- I packed only one pair of hiking socks. Big mistake. Two pairs means dry feet on day two. Simple math.
- I tried new snacks on day one. My stomach said no. Stick to what you know, or test at home first.
Who Each Tour Fits
- New to walking? Do the Glasgow Mural Trail first. Then try an easy Skye half-day.
- Love stories and city vibes? The Edinburgh ghost walk hits the spot.
- Want a real trek? West Highland Way. Train for it. Your knees will thank you.
Quick Gear That Worked For Me
- Osprey day pack, 20L, with a rain cover
- Rab rain jacket and a light fleece
- Darn Tough socks (two pairs, trust me)
- Compeed blister pads