Maps for walking in Scotland?

[hughtrimble]

Morning all,

I'm planning ahead for a few weeks in Scotland, about a week on Skye with the remainder out and about wherever takes our fancy. Before I buy my usual OS Explorer Active (1:25,000 scale) I seem to recall hearing/reading somewhere that there may be another brand of maps which is better suited to Scotland than OS.

This will only be walking/hiking and returning to the accommodation/car same day, no mountaineering, no crampons or ice axes etc.

Questions for you:

1. Is this correct, and if so which brand might it be?
2. Even if they are better then OS, is it better to stick with what I know than to change to another brand now, e.g. if it's very different and I'll likely mess up navigation because I won't be particularly aware of the differences?

Any tips gratefully received.

 

[Tengu]

I extremely doubt there is anything better than OS explorer

outdoors leisure might be good (yellow cover instead of orange)

Have you been to Skye before? Do you know what you are letting yourself in for?

 

[Toddy]

Harvey's maps are excellent. They're focused on smaller areas, intended for walkers/climbers and they're waterproof

HARVEY Maps

Browse our Mapstore to find the perfect map for you. HARVEY Maps has maps of the finest areas for walking and outdoor recreation in the UK and beyond.

www.harveymaps.co.uk

 

[hughtrimble]

I extremely doubt there is anything better than OS explorer

outdoors leisure might be good (yellow cover instead of orange)

Have you been to Skye before? Do you know what you are letting yourself in for?

I'll have a look at the Outdoor Leisure ones, thank you.

And no, never been to Skye before, but have only ever visited Scotland in Jan-March before, so are envisaging some pretty rough weather. Do you have any advice you can share given your experiences?

 

[hughtrimble]

Harvey's maps are excellent. They're focused on smaller areas, intended for walkers/climbers and they're waterproof

HARVEY Maps

Browse our Mapstore to find the perfect map for you. HARVEY Maps has maps of the finest areas for walking and outdoor recreation in the UK and beyond.

www.harveymaps.co.uk

Ah that's the brand I think I had heard of as better than OS for Scotland! Thank you Toddy.

They sound ideal. I'll find out how different they are to OS as if I could potentially really mess something up.

 

[Tengu]

Skye?

My Advice is, dont.

Think of a nice quiet place with lots of opportunities to walk and enjoy the outdoors.


Some typical Skye scenery.

Then fill that with a million people. (As a local told me)

Mostly in hired campervans.

Its the place campervans go to mate.

There are lots of places better than Skye if you want to enjoy the West Highlands

Try the A830 to Mallaig

Or the A861 to Strontian

Or the A896 and the unclassified road around the Applecross peninsula. (Billed as Really Remote Scotland but I suspect its hotching with campervans now).

 

[Limaed]

If you’re just walking low level OS 1:50k or 1:25k are appropriate. If you’re going into the Cullin then the Harvey’s 1:40k is a good option. Essentially the level of detail is too little on the 1:50k and too much on the 1:25k. The colour shading is better on the Harvey’s but note that the contour intervals on the Harvey’s are different to OS. If you’re looking at going up on the ridge / tops / Corries there are a couple of really good guidebooks which give turn by turn route descriptions.

I’d look to go in May or Oct - these months are quieter and there are no midges!

Skye is pretty complex and serious in places, I’ve responded to a number of rescues there over the years. Please let somebody know your plans even for benign walks.

 

[hughtrimble]

Skye?

My Advice is, dont.

Think of a nice quiet place with lots of opportunities to walk and enjoy the outdoors.

View attachment 93140
Some typical Skye scenery.

Then fill that with a million people. (As a local told me)

Mostly in hired campervans.

Its the place campervans go to mate.

There are lots of places better than Skye if you want to enjoy the West Highlands

Try the A830 to Mallaig

Or the A861 to Strontian

Or the A896 and the unclassified road around the Applecross peninsula. (Billed as Really Remote Scotland but I suspect its hotching with campervans now).

Thank you Tengu! Though it has been paid for, so can't do much about that part of it. With that being said, I have already marked Mallaig as a place to check out after seeing your recommendation of it in another thread a while back; it looks lovely.

We also have a week after Skye to explore other places, so thank you for the offer recommendations too.

 

[hughtrimble]

If you’re just walking low level OS 1:50k or 1:25k are appropriate. If you’re going into the Cullin then the Harvey’s 1:40k is a good option. Essentially the level of detail is too little on the 1:50k and too much on the 1:25k. The colour shading is better on the Harvey’s but note that the contour intervals on the Harvey’s are different to OS. If you’re looking at going up on the ridge / tops / Corries there are a couple of really good guidebooks which give turn by turn route descriptions.

I’d look to go in May or Oct - these months are quieter and there are no midges!

Skye is pretty complex and serious in places, I’ve responded to a number of rescues there over the years. Please let somebody know your plans even for benign walks.

Thank you for this Limaed. We are very much time limited due to work commitments and annual leave expiration, so it's already paid for. Hopefully it's cold enough for there to be no midges!

Really useful info on the Harvey's, the contour stuff is exactly what I was after in terms of potential misunderstandings, so thank you.

Also will ensure the accommodation knows our plans, that's a very good tip.

 

[British Red]

Skye is pretty complex and serious in places, I’ve responded to a number of rescues there over the years. Please let somebody know your plans even for benign walks.

I recall "Bad Step" being aptly named (that was long before the bridge mind you)

 

[Tengu]

Of course its easy to get to Mallaig from Skye; use the Armadale ferry. (£15 for a small car and one person)

You have to book in advance but they might let you on as a `dead man`.

There is a Co-op before the bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh, -another at Armadall.

(I assume you are going by Bridge but if not do take a look; its a particularly elegant one.)

The Indian restaurant Just by the roundabout when you get to Skye over the Bridge is very good.

Mallaig is good fun. Not a lot there -the road stops, and the rail stops, and the ferries begin. But! Lots of harbour action.



This is a fishing port so lots of opportunities to get seafood.

There is a few places to eat, and a co-op, and a garage and a Heritage centre.

You can park for nothing round the other side of the harbour but its a little walk back into town.

There is LOTS of scenery!

Also opportunities for day trips to the Small Isles, or Knoydart Peninsula (More walking)

 

[hughtrimble]

Of course its easy to get to Mallaig from Skye; use the Armadale ferry. (£15 for a small car and one person)

You have to book in advance but they might let you on as a `dead man`.

There is a Co-op before the bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh, -another at Armadall.

(I assume you are going by Bridge but if not do take a look; its a particularly elegant one.)

The Indian restaurant Just by the roundabout when you get to Skye over the Bridge is very good.

Mallaig is good fun. Not a lot there -the road stops, and the rail stops, and the ferries begin. But! Lots of harbour action.

View attachment 93147

This is a fishing port so lots of opportunities to get seafood.

There is a few places to eat, and a co-op, and a garage and a Heritage centre.

You can park for nothing round the other side of the harbour but its a little walk back into town.

There is LOTS of scenery!

Also opportunities for day trips to the Small Isles, or Knoydart Peninsula (More walking)

Brilliant, thank you Tengu