It is probably better if you’ve had experience of backpacking, before embarking on this walk. You will have to carry enough supplies to last until being able to restock in Inverie, some 65 miles into the journey. Some sections of the walk necessitate getting your feet wet, as shallow rivers have to be forded. Also good map and compass skills are extremely important.

Having said this, the walk is one of my all time favourites and I urge you to try it. It isn’t one for Munro baggers, but for all who enjoy a sense of solitude it will be a trip to remember. There are many mountain passes to climb and numerous summits could be reached. The main theme of this walk is its remoteness; the deer that abound these hills could possibly be your only companions.

The best place to begin the walk is at Morvich, 2 miles north of Shiel Bridge. Route finding is quite straightforward as long as you keep an eye on the map.

Despite there being no path shown on some older maps around the head of Loch Nevis from Sourlies Bothy, there is a path and it has been included on later publications. The bridge across the River Carnach isn’t present on older maps either and is quite easily missed on the ground too, but look out for it because the river can be dangerous especially after heavy rain.