The Hebrides: 50 Walking and Backpacking Routes

About the Book

The Hebrides are among the most wild and beautiful places in the British Isles, a vast archipelago stretching from the Inner Hebrides to the Outer Isles, where white-sand beaches meet volcanic peaks, ancient culture runs deep, and the walking is unlike anywhere else in Britain. From the dramatic ridgelines of the Skye Cuillin to the remote coasts of St Kilda, these islands reward those willing to make the journey.

This inspirational large-format Cicerone guidebook covers 50 walking and backpacking routes across the Hebrides, illustrated throughout with stunning photography and combining clear route descriptions with mapping and practical information for each walk. Written by Peter Edwards, who lives on the Isle of Harris, it is a guide shaped by genuine knowledge of and passion for the islands.

• The 50 routes span well-known and remote islands across the full length of the archipelago, including Skye, Mull, Jura, Islay, Colonsay, Rum, Eigg, Canna, Muck, Coll, Tiree, Raasay, Harris, Lewis, North Uist, South Uist, Barra and St Kilda
• Hebrides classics are covered in full, among them the Skye and Rum Cuillin traverses, the Trotternish Ridge, the Paps of Jura and full island circuits, alongside many lesser-known routes that most visitors never find
• Most routes offer a full day's walking for experienced walkers (between 5 and 32km), with a selection of multi-day backpacking adventures on more remote islands, as well as some shorter options
• Each walk is accompanied by mapping and spectacular photography, with practical information on facilities, public transport, length and terrain, making it straightforward to plan a visit to even the most remote islands
• A comprehensive introduction covers geology, history, culture, wildlife, plants and flowers, alongside practical advice on travel, navigation, safety, river crossings and dealing with midges and the deerstalking season

Comprehensive, authoritative and richly illustrated, this is the essential companion for anyone drawn to the wild landscapes of the Scottish islands.

Table of Contents:
Preface Introduction Geology History People, language and culture Wildlife Plants and flowers Maps and route finding Safety and emergencies Mountain weather River crossing Biting beasties Deerstalking season What to take What to take backpacking Getting to the islands Getting around THE ROUTES Islay Rhuvaal and north west coast An Cladach and Bheinn Bhieiger Ardnave Point Jura West Coast Backpack The Paps of Jura Ardlussa to Corpach Bay Evans' Walk to Glenbatrick Bay Scarba The pony path and Cruach Scarba Colonsay South Colonsay Coast and Oronsay Kilchattan, the western cliffs and Kiloran Bay The Garvellachs Garbh Eilach: A small island expedition Mull A' Chioch and Ben More Beinn Talaidh via Glen Forsa Carsaig Arches Dùn da Ghaoithe Around Iona Ulva - Ormaig and the south side Coll Coll's western tip Tiree Tiree's western coast and three highest points Around the coast of east Tiree Rum Rum Cuillin Traverse Kinloch to Harris Bay around the coast Guirdil Horseshoe Eigg An Sgùrr and Grulin Canna Around the coast of Canna Muck Gallanach Bay and Beinn Airien Skye The Beinn Deargs and Glamaig Marsco Bla Bheinn Elgol to Camasunary Loch Coruisk Bruach na Frithe Glen Ollisdal, Idrigill Point and Macleod's Maidens The Trotternish Ridge - The Storr to the Quiraing Raasay Dun Caan, Hallaig and the southern coast Barra The Barra watershed South Uist Beinn Mhor, Hecla and South Uist's wild east coast North Uist Eaval Around the Udal peninsula Berneray Around Berneray Harris Roineabhal and Rodel The Clisham Horseshoe North Harris mountains and moorland backpack Huiseabhal Mòr, Oireabhal and Huiseabhal Beag Circuit of Tòdun from Urgha Lewis Uig Hills Uig Hills and coast backpack West Side coastal path Tolstagh to Porrt Nis Heritage Walk St Kilda The hills and sea cliffs of Hirta Appendices Appendix A: Route Summary Table Appendix B: Glossary

About the Author :
Peter Edwards grew up in Sussex and nurtured a love of walking and mountain biking amid the hills of the South Downs. Since moving to Scotland in 2006, he has developed a passion for the Hebrides and takes every opportunity to get out among the islands. He lives in Glasgow with his wife, Fiona, and Dougal the Labrador.