Daylight hours vary dramatically between Winter and Summer and even between North and South, so it is worth checking these while planning your trip. There are several websites with this information, for example try the Metcheck website here.

Do not let the fuel tank get low – it may be quite a long drive to the next source of fuel. Few garages are open in the evenings and Sunday trading is still uncommon in many areas. Public toilets are also scarce – make the most of any that you see. If you take a walk off the road, do not be tempted to swim, paddle or collect wild flowers from any of the small lochans – they have very soft, muddy bottoms and you could sink a surprising distance into them. There have been cases of people disappearing altogether. Also, it is illegal to pick wild flowers. Even the surrounding bogs can be dangerous, being far less solid than they look!

Ticks

Walking off-road also incurs the risk of picking up a tick (those small black blood-sucking insects that attach themselves to any exposed skin). While they are normally harmless, they can cause Lymes Disease and must be removed with care. A special tool for the purpose can be bought at most chemists and is a useful addition to the standard first aid kit.

Countryside Code

Parts of our routes go through farm land. In order not to tarnish the post-mortem reputations of our saints, please do not do anything to upset the farmer/crofter/landowner. All the standard Countryside Code rules apply. In addition, please remember that, while there is a Freedom to Roam law in Scotland, (other than through private gardens), this must be applied with courtesy towards the farmer/crofter/landowner. For more details see the Scottish Outdoor Access Code here.

Midges

And last but by no means least – the Highland midge. If you are travelling between mid-July and mid-September, remember to take insect repellent with you. You might want to consider buying a midge hood that provides a net over the face. Midges thrive in the cool, damp climate of the North and West of Scotland. While they do not carry diseases, they can force the most stoic person indoors and ruin any outdoor pursuit. Some people are more sensitive to their bites than others and even born-and-bred locals do not build up an immunity. Fortunately they do not like hot, sunny weather or strong winds. While sunlight cannot be guaranteed, Caithness does have more than its fair share of wind, so the midge is not a permanent problem.