2
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
no edit summary
The Scottish Highlands are very easy to hitchhike around, however you should be careful to avoid major trunk routes as people drive very quickly, and even when you can be seen they are unwilling to stop. During the summer, there are a lot of tourists in highland areas who are much less likely to stop for hitchhikers than locals.
Camping in the highlands can be uncomfortable in the summer, especially near pine forests and water, due to biting insects - midges, which are more than a match for mosquitoes; if you are not careful they will attack any area of exposed skin and bite repeatedly. Mosquito repellent and mosquito nets (particularly the over-head nets) are a valuable asset for any trip to Scotland and will make your experience travelling around the country much more pleasant. Unfortunately Mosquito repellent is mostly ineffective against midges. A secret weapon against them, is to use a skin lotion called "Skin so soft", which you can find in most of the camping-shops or in the shops of petrol stations. Its effectiveness is widely known among the locals (only little con: using it, makes you strongly smelling of lemon).
The weather in Scotland is very unpredictable, when visiting in the Summer it is advisable to be prepared for both extremely warm and humid conditions but also the cold and very, very wet. Thunderstorms are not uncommon at any time of the year, and unusually for the British isles, some of the mountains will carry a permanent snow cap which gives you an idea of some of the possible conditions. In the winter, it is very cold in central Scotland and the highlands, and in the Caringorms, further North and nearby, snow is not unusual, and in colder winters the peaks are enjoyed by skiers. Some mountains and upland regions are renouned for their dangers, however with care, preparation and proper maps these areas can be enjoyed at any time of the year, and are particularly beautiful in the winter months.
