Always check the weather forecast before setting out. Television channels, radio stations and newspapers all offer outlooks, while more detailed local forecasts can be found online or at tourist information centres and outdoor and countryside centres. Tailor activities to the weather and be prepared to cut a walk short if conditions deteriorate. The Scottish weather is remarkably unpredictable and it is not uncommon to experience a wide variety of conditions in a single day. However well equipped and prepared a walker is, persistent rain and relentless wind can quickly deplete reserves of energy and erode morale.
While bad weather can spoil a good walk, hot and sunny conditions can be equally unsettling. More liquid must be carried and consumed, while sunburn and heat stroke present very real dangers to the unwary.
Essential equipment
Clothing
Proper footwear is vital, and due to the varied nature of the terrain hillwalking boots are recommended. A good pair of waterproof boots with soles that offer a high level of grip will keep feet dry, warm and comfortable. Ensure new boots are broken in properly to remove stiffness and reduce the risk of blisters before embarking upon longer walks. Those planning to explore the higher peaks in winter should consider four-season or mountaineering boots
Boots should be coupled with good-quality walking socks; the best ones have extra padding around the toe and heel areas. Many walkers prefer to wear two pairs of socks – a thin pair next to the skin with a thicker pair on top – to prevent blisters. Make sure the thin pair does not have raised seams, and avoid socks that are too large or too small, heavily worn or full of holes.
Gaiters will come in handy where routes cross rough heather moor, grassland and reedy patches of ground.
Dressing successfully for the hills is best achieved through a layering system. Clothing can be easily added or removed depending on the weather, temperature or level of activity. A selection of thin layers traps more warm air than a single thick jersey or fleece.
The base layer (closest to the skin) can be a thin T-shirt, vest or thermal underwear top. Avoid natural fabrics like cotton – which trap and hold sweat – and go for a quick-drying synthetic fibre capable of transferring perspiration away from the skin. Fleeces are ideal mid-layers, as are sweatshirts and jumpers. The third and final outer layer, or shell, should be waterproof, windproof and, ideally, breathable. It is always a good idea to pack an extra layer or two, particularly when venturing on to higher ground where temperatures tend to be much lower, and can be reduced considerably by wind chill.
Trousers should be lightweight, loose fitting and preferably quick drying. Shorts are excellent for summer walking, but pack long trousers as a route may cross areas of brambles, nettles or thistles. Carry waterproof trousers too.
Take a warm hat and gloves throughout the year, and in summer pack a wide-brimmed hat to protect head and neck from the sun.
Food and drink
Taking sufficient food and liquid are essential. Hillwalking burns calories at a higher rate than normal activity and these must be replenished throughout the day. Prior to setting off, meals high in carbohydrates – such as rice and pasta – offer long-term slow-release energy. While on the hill, eating little and often is a good philosophy. Sandwiches and snack foods (for example sausage rolls and pork pies) are convenient and filling while dried fruit, seeds and nuts, and cereal bars, provide natural sugars and protein. High-sugar products (chocolate bars and sweets) offer rapid bursts of energy.
Fluid must also be replaced on a regular basis, and drinking little and often is a better way to avoid dehydration than waiting until thirsty before taking a drink. Carry plenty of liquid, particularly on hotter days when consumption will be significantly higher. As an estimate 1.5 litres should be sufficient for a day walk.
Supplementing supplies by collecting water in the hills is a matter of personal choice. While standing water and low-level streams and rivers – particularly those in agricultural areas – should be avoided, fast-flowing streams on high ground are less likely to be contaminated. There is, however, no guarantee that the water can be safely consumed unless treated with water purification tablets or a water purifier.
What to take
To carry the gear necessary for a day in the hills, a rucksack with a 30-litre capacity should suffice. Items that need to stay dry, such as spare clothing, mobile phone and camera equipment, should be kept in a waterproof liner within the sack.
The following is a list of essential items that should be carried on any of the walks in this guidebook.
waterproof jacket
waterproof trousers
spare fleece
hat
gloves
food and liquid
map(s)
compass
whistle
torch
first aid kit
survival bag
mobile phone
pencil and paper.
In summer, add a sun hat and sun cream to the list. Pack insect repellent too. Midges are becoming increasingly prevalent in Angus between May and September and are most commonly encountered during periods of calm warm weather. Lowland moor, grassland and woodland are all potential hot spots for these airborne irritants. A midge forecast for Scotland can be found online (www.midgeforecast.co.uk).
First aid
Walkers should have a basic knowledge of first aid and carry a small first aid kit, available from outdoor shops and pharmacies, including the following items:
waterproof, breathable plasters of various sizes
sterile dressings
triangular bandage
eye pad
crêpe bandage
safety pins (to secure dressings)
pair of disposable latex gloves
antiseptic cream or wipes
small pair of scissors.Other useful items include:
personal medication
painkillers
antihistamine cream
pair of tweezers
cigarette lighter or matches
insect repellent.
The best way to learn the basics of first aid is to take a course: a GP surgery or pharmacy is a good first point of contact. There are many private providers, as well as larger organisations such as the St John Ambulance Association (www.sja.org.uk) and, in Scotland, the St Andrew’s Ambulance Association (www.firstaid.org.uk). A useful pocket guide First Aid and Wilderness Medicine by Drs Jim Duff and Peter Gormly is published by Cicerone.
Three other items of kit will come in useful in the event of an emergency. One of the most important is a survival bag, which will protect a casualty from wind, rain and cold. Keep one at the bottom of the rucksack at all times. Every walker should also carry a whistle and torch for attracting attention. Note that in the Angus glens mobile phone reception ranges from poor to non-existent over much of the low ground, although signal strength is much better on high ground and summits.
Water