Next to the village of Kirk Yetholm, England ends and Scotland begins. Less than a mile away lies its twin village, Town Yetholm. Located in the region of the Scottish Borders, the Yetholm villages are connected by a country lane and separated by the Bowmont Water that runs between them. Yetholm translated to English means …
In the summer of 2018, I decided to go for a walk. This walk began in Kirk Yetholm at the Scotland/England border and zig-zagged up to Cape Wrath, Scotland’s most north-western point. The name of this not-so-wee wander is the Scottish National Trail, and I, someone who hadn’t wild camped since high school, decided I …
In May 2018 I thru-hiked the Scottish National Trail, an 864 kilometre (536 mile) trail that runs the length of Scotland. I chose to hike the Scottish National Trail solo, because a solo female hadn’t completed this hike. I wanted to prove that if someone who has an average athletic ability like I do could …
Once a local secret, mountain bothies have made a comeback with hikers and outdoor enthusiasts after the release of The Bothy Bible, a detailed book that lists over 100 bothies found throughout Scotland. It wasn’t until I was halfway through my hike of the Scottish National Trail that I stayed in my first bothy. And oh …
Trigger warning: The following article is my experience after completing a long-distance hike of the length of Scotland where I discuss Post Trail Depression. If you are, or believe you are suffering from depression after a long-distance hike, please talk to someone or call Samaritans on 116 123 (UK). “I’m HEEEEEERE!” It was day 50 on …
The Scottish National Trail is the grandfather of long-distance hikes in Scotland; it combines many existing trails, linking them to form one massive hike that runs the length of Scotland. In 2018 I was the first solo female to complete the trail in one go. I wrote this hiking guide to help anyone planning to hike the Scottish National Trail, including answers to the most frequently asked questions, descriptions of each section, advice on what to pack, and other helpful information.