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Re: Where to Start? - Suggestions (1st Timer)

Rats! I've just devised a route starting at Oban. No-one has recommended that. But I think it will suit me as a first-timer, and it will take me to some places I want to see. And surely nowhere will be too dull or boring...? Will wait and see what my vetter says. I hope that I catch some of the social action along the way - maybe at Blair Atholl.

Re: Where to Start? - Suggestions (1st Timer)

First timer as well starting at Oban.

Route is coming along nicely. Hopefully the second week will be quite sociable from Braemar onwards!

Never really been East of Braemar before know the rest of my route reasonably well.

Re: Where to Start? - Suggestions (1st Timer)

Scott - good to hear Oban is in favour. Hope the route planning goes well, and look forward to seeing you at the start - along with the other wise folk who have chosen it!

Re: Where to Start? - Suggestions (1st Timer)

Brad, Coming from North America your planning needs to start with the destination airport in Scotland. There are direct flights to Glasgow and Edinburgh, two cities 45 minutes apart, but with very different architecture and people. Edinburgh has more history, but Glasgow has better transport links to the start and finish points. For a first visit I suggest one of the easier accessed and central points area, Oban, Mallaig (for Knoydart), or Shiel Bridge. They have a denser web of paths and tracks and more fellow Challengers for help and advice, than you might find in more northerly or southerly start points. They will still be there for your second visit.

Re: Where to Start? - Suggestions (1st Timer)

Brad. Forget the high hills,they will catch up with you anyway.The start I
would recommend due to access logistics,accommodation ,route planning and
of course getting oneself confident with Scotland and the style/type of
backpacking generally practiced over here. For instance I set off on one
Challenge with three Americans carrying two five ltrs. of bottled water between them from a local Filling Station. They also thought a Bothy had toilets and
meal facilities. They were experienced walkers in the US.but had no knowledge
of Scottish backpacking requirements. From Oban you can ease yourself into
your Challenge confidently over the first two/three days and enjoy the experience.

Re: Where to Start? - Suggestions (1st Timer)

I'm another first timer from the US, starting at shiel bridge, though. As to the topic of flights over to Scotland, in my searching of flights I found it to be MUCH cheaper to fly to Dublin, then hop a RyanAir flight over to Glasgow. Like 25% cheaper, even with the cost of the RyanAir flight, which was actually really cheap.

Re: Where to Start? - Suggestions (1st Timer)

Both Ryanair and Aer Lingus offer very competitive flights between Dublin and Scotland. Be aware that the headline price may not apply to all the flights on a given day, and that hold luggage, seat reservation, and anything else they can think of, will be an additional cost. Excess baggage charges are also very high so make sure you know the weight and dimension limits of hold and carry-on bags.

Re: Where to Start? - Suggestions (1st Timer)

Indeed - cheap flights are not always what they seem!

As Fascinating Aida discovered