What to wear for winter walking in Scotland

Just because it's colder, wetter, windier and darker it doesn't mean you should give up on walking in Scotland. As we've been blogging all year, walking is a great form of exercise and a fantastic mood booster so giving up shouldn't be an option. However, winter walking does come with more dangers than in the summer months so it's important that you're prepared for the weather conditions.

Lower-level walking in winter in Scotland

Rain, lighter winds, some ice and perhaps even snow will be the challenges facing the walker in the lower-level hills.

The minimum kit should include: Robust, waterproof walking boots, wick-away base layers, fleece, waterproof jacket, trousers, waterproof overtrousers, warm hat and gloves.

Pack in your rucksack: Extra base layers, an extra fleece, another pair of gloves, water, a flask of hot tea or coffee, food and energy bars or cereal bars, a compass and a map.

High level walking in winter in Scotland

Walking in Scotland's higher hills or mountains in winter is for the experienced only. Alternatively you could hire a guide. Weather conditions can rapidly change and it's vital that you know how to navigate in very low visibility. Expect ice, deep snow, high winds, white outs, heavy snow fall and rain.

Essential kit needs to be carried on your back so you should also be fit.

The minimum kit should include: Four seasons walking boots, wick-away base layers, fleeces, waterproof jacket, trousers, waterproof overtrousers, warm hat and warm gloves.

Pack in your rucksack: Extra base layers, an extra fleece, another pair of gloves, an extra hat, crampons, ice axe, a shelter in case of an accident, mobile phone, water, a flask of hot tea or coffee, food and energy bars or cereal bars, a compass and a map. A GPS gadget is a good idea too but you can't rely on this so a map and compass (and the ability to use them) are vital. A first aid kit would be a wise addition.

Always check the latest weather reports and avalanche warnings before setting out. If in doubt, it's best not to go, instead choosing a lower level alternative.

How to make walking child-friendly

Apparently as responsible parents we should be encouraging our kids to do more walking. A recent report by an English university found that Britain's youth are getting away with being too idle and making themselves way too comfy on the sofa or in front of computer screens.

Added to this the headlines are forever screaming about a generation of lazy, unfit and overweight youngsters, who are seemingly driven everywhere by mum and dad instead of jolly well getting out on their own two feet.

But perhaps this alleged lack of enthusiasm for self-propulsion among the "children of today" is that it's a bit dull. Certainly walking the same old to school, or a club, or the train station doesn't feature high on a scale of attractive outlooks.

In comparison a walk in the country would surely score nine or 10 out of 10 for great views, as well as a host of other attractions such as wildlife and tourist sites.

Hmmm, well, you would think so but any parent who has tried to cajole their child to walk a hill, along a river bank or on a muddy trail could easily disagree. All too often it seems as though children do not like walking - period. Whether it's in town or out of town.

But it doesn't have to be this way. With a some forward-planning – and a little bribery – we reckon it is possible to encourage out little darlings out into Scotland's beautiful countryside and enjoying a wide range of walks.

It's just a matter of how you go about it. Here we bring you a few tips on How to Go For a Happy Family Walk:

* Buy the right kit: Children love new clothes and these days kids' walking kit comes in some great styles and amazing colours. As a minimum make sure they have comfy, well-fitting and waterproof walking boots, a waterproof jacket and hat and gloves for cold weather. A rucksack adds to the look - and means they can carry their own snacks (see "bribe them").

* Bribe them: Just a little, obviously, as there's no point in eating more calories in sweets and fizzy drinks than they eventually walk off. Aim for healthier, but fun, snacks. Why not tell them you'll have a picnic when they reach the top of a hill? Or suggest they can have a small piece of chocolate for every animal, bird or flower spotted on a list you compiled yourself. Or find a pub or tea room for a treat at the end of your walk.

* Go in circles: Walking an out and back route is boring for kids, so try to choose a route that follows a circular trail. Or take a bus and jump off and then walk back.

* Get geeky: Gadgets are a great way to keep the kids interested in a walk. Try a basic GPS, a pedometre and even an old fashioned map and compass. Anything that keeps your child's mind off the walking and on the doing other things.

* Make it an adventure: Kids love treasure trails or tick lists or just stories. Ensure you've planned out you route and can come up with interesting points to stop at along the way. Guided walk companies can assist with these kind of outings as they know the local area well.

* Camping is fun: Why not include an overnight wild camp as part of a two-day walk for older children? Or set up camp near to a variety of walking routes and head out each day to find a new adventure.

As easy as A, B, C?! We want to hear about your tips for successful family walking and the great family walks you've done.

Get kitted out for winter walking

It's one of the best years we've seen for winter walking in Scotland and the snow is unlikely to disappear in the near future. If you're new to this exhilarating activity then the first step is a winter skills course. See previous post.

After that you will want to invest in some new winter walking kit. Mostly the right gear is about staying safe and warm on the hills – but as we all know there is also something mentally uplifting about setting out to try your shiny new gear. (Or is this just a girl thing?!)

Mike McLaggan, a winter mountain leader who runs Highway 2 in the Angus Glens, gives us his essential winter kit guide:

* Good quality winter (four season) walking boots

* A 55 to 60cm ice axe (not too lightweight)

* 10 or 12 point crampons with front points that must fit your boots (take the boots to the shop)

* Really good quality gloves

* High quality shell waterproofs, including jacket and pants, and preferably brightly coloured

* Plenty of decent insulation layers

* Good quality walking socks.

"Good quality" is a bit of a theme here but Mike is insistent that paying more for good quality winter walking kit means you'll stay warm on the hills and therefore you're much more likely to enjoy yourself and want to go out again and again. So your initial investment will be worth it in the long-term.

Another essential clothing tip is how to avoid ripping your waterproof trousers! I kid you not! Many winter walkers find that while using crampons they end up tearing the bottom of their waterproof trousers because the crampon points can catch on clothing. This can be costly and also rather annoying.

Mike says – and he instructs on this very issue on his Highway 2 winter skills courses – "When walking in crampons you need to learn how to keep your feet wider apart and also how to turn. Crossing your legs is a no-no, and instead you must learn how to make your body turn in a circle so as to avoid the crampon points taking chunks out of your trouser legs."

If this sounds like news to you then before going out to walk alone you need to take a winter skills course. Visit Glentrek to find out more about how to book these courses

Your (new) boots were made for walking

Recent reports reveal that there has been a dramatic rise in the sale of walking boots in the UK during the recent cold snap. And with many snowed in, it has been e-commerce sales that have seen the biggest climb. During the festive period, and in particular since January 4, the growth in sales of all kinds of walking and hiking boots has been impressive according to many high street and on-line outlets.

Other statistics across the outdoors clothing industry have also been showing a boost in the sales of boots, jackets and all kinds of walking kit since Britain slid into its current economic gloom. The theory is that with less disposable income people are looking for leisure activities that have a minimal initial outlay and offer plenty of scope for free/low-cost exercise and fun.

Here at Glentrek we're really excited by the news. Okay, so we know that some people have been having a difficult time due to the snow and ice over the last month or so. And we are not so callous as to be rejoicing in the general lack of cash in people's pockets. But we are delighted by the idea that more people might use their boots and outdoor clothing to get out and about in the countryside. (Of course, we also realise that some of the sales increase will have come from people buying boots to walk the streets around their homes!)

But we reckon it only takes one walk in the countryside to convince most people of the wonders of our great outdoors. Whether you decide on a riverside stroll, a ramble in the hills or a climb to the top of a Corbett or a Munro, you're pretty much guaranteed to benefit both emotionally and physically. Walking is an ideal activity for everyone and it's also amazingly accessible.

So come on, pull on your boots, tie the laces and take a walk that's a little more on the wild side than your local shops.