A compass is used to find magnetic north orientate yourself and you your map to the ground, and navigate on a bearing in your desired direction of travel. It is an invaluable tool for anyone travelling in the wilderness, hiking in the mountains or anywhere that you cannot use a GPS. So, how do you use a compass?
Continue reading How To Use A CompassTag Archives: Hiking Scotland
How to Orientate a Map
Orientating your map is a key skill that many hikers rely on. It allows you to line up what is on your map, using north and visual topographical features, to the ground around you and the landscape in which you are travelling. Doing it correctly will allow you to navigate effectively over the course of your hike.
Continue reading How to Orientate a MapKarrimor Softshell Jacket Review
Overview
Score: 4.3/5
Overall this jacket scored well across the board. It’s now been tested in low level dog walks in the park and high mountain walks in the Highland of Scotland and it has coped really well in all areas.
Continue reading Karrimor Softshell Jacket ReviewThe Law, Ben Cleuch, Ben Buck, Ben Ever – WALK REPORT – Aug 2021
After a successful couple of Munros bagged the previous weekend near Crianlarich, I headed north again, this time to meet up with a friend and tackle the highest point of the Ochills, Ben Cleuch. Having studied at the University of Stirling, and also having climbed Dumyat (a neighbouring peak) many times during my time there, Ben Cleuch was always one that eluded me.
Continue reading The Law, Ben Cleuch, Ben Buck, Ben Ever – WALK REPORT – Aug 2021How To Choose the Best Walking Boots for You
Choosing a pair of boots is perhaps the most personal choice a hill walker can make. There are hundreds of brands and potentially thousands of different options to choose from. Each option offers differing levels of support and comfort catering to a different gait and preference, not to discount the cosmetic look of the boots, which is important for some people too.
Continue reading How To Choose the Best Walking Boots for YouHow to Plan a Hiking Route in the UK
How to use a route card
The best way to plan a hiking route is to use a route card. This is a short summary of your planned walk, key points and times that allows you to plan effectively and easily share your route with others. In this post, we will look at what a route card is, how to complete one and why creating and sharing a route card is important.
Continue reading How to Plan a Hiking Route in the UKHow to Lace Your Boots Correctly
Tying your boots correctly is an important factor in ensuring your boots stay comfortable throughout your hike as well as helping to prevent hot spots, blisters, and blackened toe nails. Changing the way your boots are tied can relieve presure points and give your feet space to carry you effectively through your walk.
Continue reading How to Lace Your Boots CorrectlyWhat to Drink When Hiking
A good guide is to drink 500ml of water per hour or moderate intensity exercise in moderate temperatures. This will very considerably if the weather changes, the activity becomes more/less strenuous or you are stopped for a break.
Continue reading What to Drink When HikingDevilla Forest – WALK REPORT – June 2021
The next instalment of our family adventures, we spent a day last weekend exploring the delights of the Devilla Forest in the Kingdom of Fife. There is a lot to see in the Devilla forest, but we decided on the smaller loop of the Red Squirrel Trail. Red Squirrels are known to inhabit the forest and seeing them in the wild is a big draw for many visitors.
Continue reading Devilla Forest – WALK REPORT – June 2021What to Wear when Hiking or Hillwalking
What we wear when we are out in the hills is incredibly important. It is our first barrier against the weather as well as protecting us against other factors in the environment through which we are travelling. What you wear will vary with the season, the time of day and general conditions, and the activities that you are planning to undertake.
Continue reading What to Wear when Hiking or Hillwalking