what clothes & kit do I need?
Even in summer, the weather on Scottish hills can be variable, so it's important to wear suitable clothing and to carry spare items with you. That way you can stay comfortable throughout the walk by adjusting your clothing layers to suit changing weather conditions.
Good boots are essential for a day in the hills. They offer good grip, support your ankles, protect the soles of your feet from rough surfaces, and help to keep your feet warm and dry. Lighter footwear can be worn for lower level walks.
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Jeans should be avoided - cotton fabrics tend to hold moisture once wet, and will drain your body heat quickly on cold days. Look for clothing made of "wicking" materials and man-made fibres. These will not absorb as much rain or perspiration, and will dry out as you walk.
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Wear several thin layers rather than one thick layer. Take a pair of gloves and a warm hat, even at the height of summer. If you climb up to Munro summits you will find it much colder and windier than lower down in the glens.
Always carry a waterproof jacket and trousers. The jacket should have an integral hood with a wired peak. Unlined waterproofs are better than lined as rainfall does not necessarily mean a drop in temperature. Waterproofs are generally windproof as well and can be useful in forming a shell over fleeces etc to keep you warm on cold dry days.
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The following is a list of things you should carry with you in your rucksack for a day's walking.
1. Good waterproofs - Goretex, eVent or similar.
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2. Spare glasses.
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3. Sufficient food for a 6 or 7 hour day.
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4. Plenty of water to drink. Plan to have a minimum of 1 litre of water in winter, 2 litres at other times of the year, and more if the weather is particularly warm. Hydration bladders are good as they allow you to drink regularly on the move. Take a flask of something hot in the colder months.
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5. Sunglasses and sunscreen. Even in winter, there can be a lot of glare reflected from the snow.
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6. Waterproof gaiters will keep your trouser bottoms dry when walking through wet grass and heather, and are essential in winter to keep snow out of your boots.
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7. Midge repellent, it is Scotland after all!
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8. A small first aid kit inc Compeed for any blisters!
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9. A whistle for use in emergency (6 blasts then silent for a minute is the emergency signal).
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10. A map of the area (1:50 000 OS Landranger maps are usually the best, though other map suppliers can be better for certain areas). Bring a suitable map-case to keep it dry and away from the wind.
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11. A Silva type compass. ( We'll show you how to use it!).
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12. A hat which can be pulled over your ears, even in summer. It's also a good idea to protect you from the sun in warm weather.
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13. Gloves. A minimum of one light pair in summer, heavier gloves are required in autumn and winter.
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14. Emergency rations, which are non-perishable foods like nuts, chocolate or Kendal Mint Cake, which you will not intend to eat.
15. An emergency survival bag. This can be bought for a few pounds from any outdoor store, and can save your life.
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16. Extra clothing. You will find you cool down very quickly, for example when you stop walking to have a bite of lunch, so a couple of spare layers are useful to maintain body heat.
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18. A head torch in case you are out on the hill later than planned, especially important in the short winter days.
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19. Spare boot laces can be useful!
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20. A rucksack big enough to carry all these things, around 30 to 35 litres.
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You may also want to try out trekking poles, which allow you to take some strain from your legs and give a lot of confidence in your stability as you cross rough ground or descend steep slopes.
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If you wish to climb Munros in winter, you will need to upgrade all your equipment. You will need crampons (spiked frames which attach to winter walking boots) and an ice axe, and will need to be shown how to use them. These are essential for snow and ice covered mountains. You will also need to have extra spare clothing, hat and gloves.
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Most of the above items can be bought cheaply from supermarkets, outdoor shops, or on eBay so that you don't have a big outlay all at once. You can replace each item as it wears out, and by then you will have seen what works for other walkers.
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You should also bring a complete change of clothes to leave on the bus. Once off the hill it's good even on a dry day to change into fresh clothes, and on wet days you will find that "breathable" fabrics don't cope with the exertions of hillwalkers!
The night before your walk, you should eat a high carbohydrate meal such as a bowl of pasta, to give you a slow release of energy throughout the day, and a good breakfast is essential.
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