I cant understand not having a dream route to cross Scotland. Plan it anyway and go walk it some time. Or have one for next year ready as you'll get on the TGOC if you don't this time.

Forgot to say I have just got a place on the challenge. Not panicking much.

Just out of curiosity (for a friend) what number were you Lindsay?

Ey up,

Worth me putting a word in; so far only about half a dozen folk have gained places on the event from the Standby List. There have been very few withdrawals to date, as happened last year. Lindsay started off at Number 6.

If you gained a place in the draw but will not now be able to participate, please let me know so that those waiting patiently on the Standby List can prepare themselves in good time. Thank you!

Last year I was 160.

As there were only about 97 people on last year's standby list, I think that's unlikely!

I started at Mallaig last year and really enjoyed it. There's the anticipation of the ferry ride as you approach Knoydart and so much great country to link up from there.

One way to go forward in your planning is to 'zoom out' and look at a wide view of Scotland from Mallaig on east and see what catches your eye, whether that's high ridges, hills that you've wanted to climb or linking up the glens.

A free website you can use that has OS mapping at 1:250k scale is Where's the path?". It's designed for comparing OS maps to satellite imagery, but you can use it for pure OS maps by changing the menu at top right from "OS+Satellite" to "Just OS."

Then you can zoom well out and visualise large parts of Scotland for ideas

(By the way you can search for Mallaig at top left - "enter a place". Once you search, you have to choose Mallaig from a new drop-down list that appears just right of the search box.)

If you're after some hills along the way, you can look at maps of Munros and Corbetts on walkhighlands. If you click any marker, you get a photo of the hill and a link to descriptions and trip reports for it. It's done from a hill-bagger's point of view but can still give ideas.

Enjoy the planning!

Cheers,
Jaya John