Contents
Weather Clothing Food & Water Essential Kit Safety Emergency Numbers Access & Etiquette Useful LinksWeather
- Check forecasts before every hike — use MWIS (Mountain Weather Information Service) for mountain-specific forecasts
- Conditions change rapidly — sunshine can turn to cloud, wind and rain within minutes
- Temperature drops roughly 1C per 150m of altitude — summits can be 6-8C colder than valleys
- Wind chill is the biggest danger — 40mph winds at 5C feel like -5C
- Visibility can drop to near zero in cloud — know how to navigate with map and compass
- Winter conditions (snow, ice) can occur from October to May above 600m
Clothing
- Layer system: base layer (moisture-wicking), mid layer (insulation), outer layer (waterproof)
- Waterproof jacket and trousers — essential, not optional. Gore-Tex or equivalent
- Walking boots — sturdy, waterproof, ankle-supporting, and broken in
- Warm hat and gloves — even in summer for higher summits
- Spare warm layer — fleece or down jacket in your pack
- Avoid cotton — it stays wet and chills you. Choose wool or synthetics
- Gaiters are useful for boggy ground and wet grass
Food & Water
- Carry at least 1.5-2 litres of water per person
- Pack more food than you think you need — high-energy snacks (nuts, chocolate, flapjacks)
- A warm flask of tea or soup is a morale booster in cold conditions
- Eat and drink regularly — don't wait until you're hungry or thirsty
- Sandwiches, energy bars, dried fruit, and cheese are reliable hill food
- Stream water in Scotland is generally safe but consider purification tablets as backup
Essential Kit
- Map and compass — and know how to use them. Don't rely solely on phone GPS
- Fully charged phone — but keep it warm (batteries drain fast in cold)
- Head torch — with spare batteries, in case you're out longer than planned
- First aid kit — blister plasters, bandages, painkillers, emergency whistle
- Emergency shelter / survival bag — lightweight but can save your life
- Rucksack — 25-35 litres for a day walk, with waterproof liner or dry bags
- Sun cream and sunglasses — UV is stronger at altitude
- Walking poles — helpful on steep descents and boggy terrain
Navigation & Safety
- Tell someone your route and expected return time
- Start early — daylight hours are short in autumn/winter (sunset can be 3:30pm in December)
- Know your escape routes — have a plan B if weather deteriorates
- Turn back if conditions worsen — the mountain will always be there another day
- In emergency, dial 999 and ask for Police then Mountain Rescue
- The international distress signal is 6 blasts on a whistle (or 6 torch flashes), repeated every minute
Emergency Numbers
- 999 / 112 — Emergency services (Police, Ambulance, Fire, Mountain Rescue). Ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue
- 101 — Police Scotland (non-emergency)
- 111 — NHS 24 (non-emergency medical advice, 24/7)
- 116 123 — Samaritans (emotional support, 24/7)
- 0300 067 3000 — Scottish Ambulance Service (non-emergency)
- Coastguard: 999 — For coastal or island emergencies, ask for Coastguard
- No signal? Try sending an SMS to 999 (must register first at emergencysms.net). Or try the what3words app to share your exact location
Scottish Access & Etiquette
- Scotland has a right to roam — you can walk almost anywhere responsibly
- Follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code
- Check for deer stalking season (Aug-Oct) — use Heading for the Scottish Hills to check
- Leave no trace — take all litter home, don't disturb wildlife
- Close gates behind you, keep dogs under control near livestock
- Park considerately — don't block gates or passing places on single track roads
Useful Links
- WalkHighlands — routes, maps and walk reports
- MWIS — mountain weather forecasts
- Met Office — general weather
- SAIS — Scottish Avalanche Information Service (winter)
- Mountaineering Scotland — skills, courses, advice