A buddy Geraldine and her daughter Lilly-Belle accomplished a two-day stroll from the east coast of Scotland to the west coast. The 38-mile route from Ardgay to Loch Broom, close to Ullapool, included 826m of ascent. The mom and daughter took two days to do the stroll and carried all of the package they’d must be self-sufficient.

The plan for the journey happened as a result of they have been eager to take pleasure in some high quality time collectively whereas Lillyb was house for a brief break from college.

The climate was wetter and windier than that they had anticipated however Geraldine stories that they confronted only some challenges, together with a chilly river crossing.

She stated: “I had a plotted route on my cellphone and my sports activities watch. I additionally had a map and compass as again up, however we discovered it simple to navigate the entire route, which was totally on trails and a few tarmac highway.”

Crossing one of many narrowest coast-to-coast sections of Scotland, the journey took them into distant areas which can be wildly stunning.

Geraldine stated: “It was simply superb. Regardless of a couple of challenges, which weren’t that massive, I totally loved this journey as I used to be capable of share it with my daughter.

“We had nice conversations, so many laughs and skilled the great thing about nature collectively.

“We noticed herds and herds of deers, a couple of stags and a great deal of wee birds, in addition to a few buzzards, pretty Highland cows with their calves and, after all, a lot of sheep.

“Lilly-Belle had a good time, too, and he or she was so completely satisfied all through, which is all I might ask for.”

An ideal discover: Knockdamph bothy

The pair had deliberate to wild camp however they struggled to discover a dry place to cease. Then, they got here throughout a well-located bothy.

Geraldine stated: “The climate had taken a flip for the more severe and there was nowhere dry to pitch the tent. Water was actually flowing from the uneven floor on to the observe. The wind had been getting stronger as time went on as nicely.

“Regardless of this, our morale was excessive. We saved strolling and have been hopeful we’d discover one thing. We nonetheless had loads of daylight left.

“Then we noticed the bothy, which exceeded all our expectations. The bothy sits near the top of lovely Loch an Daimh. It saved us from a really moist and depressing night time.

“It was such a bonus. We had a terrific night time and once we received house there was no moist tent or sleeping system to unpack.”

Geraldine stated she is eager to do the route once more, “possibly within the hotter months to take advantage of the lochs and rivers for dips or swims”.

She added: “I might additionally wish to cycle the route on my gravel bike subsequent time or, even higher, run it with a few of my pals.”

Cross-Scotland stroll package listing

Geraldine and LillyB took a big rucksack every. They carried:

• Sleeping mattress
• Sleeping bag
• Clothes: Waterproof jacket and trousers, fleece, shorts, spare pair socks, gloves, heat hat, cap, neck tubes, mild windproof jacket.
• Footwear: Path trainers
• Cooking system and meals: Wee gasoline canister, range, lighter, pot, sporks.
  Two dehydrated meals, espresso, tea luggage, chocolate and different treats.
• Gentle water filtration gadget
• First assist package
• A set of sunshine working poles
• Bivy
• Tent
• Energy financial institution and cables
• 2 head torches.

Geraldine stated: “We shared the load. Our pack have been pretty mild they usually felt comfy to hold.

“We every carried our personal sleeping system, garments, head torches and water bottle.
I carried the tent, bivy bag, energy financial institution and first assist package. LillyB the cooking system and meals.”