Scottish Hill Tracks is an essential companion for anyone with a keen interest in Scotland’s cultural heritage and for whom wide horizons, wild places and adventure beckon.

This rich, sprawling network journeys through farmland and forest, moorland and coastline, bladed ridges and high plateaux, deep glaciated glens and peatlands—and much else besides. An additional section and six new routes in the Western Isles contribute to a collective tally of 194,000m of ascent and over 7,600km of ancient tracks. Many of these are identified as Heritage Paths— historic routes which follow in the footsteps of Roman legionaries, mediaeval pilgrims and traders, cattle drovers and funeral parties, amongst others.

Many changes have since been wrought upon Scotland’s landscapes, and — 100 years on from Walter Smith’s Hill Paths in Scotland — this sixth edition offers a fresh perspective, with full resurveys of each of the 350 hill routes and 175 variants that crisscross the country’s mountains, hills and uplands.

The countryside continues to change, so please check below to see if we’ve posted any updates to the route(s) you’re planning to visit. If you discover a change to one of the routes that you’d like to share with other readers, please contact us to let us know, and if appropriate, we’ll add an update below.

Section 1​:​ Cheviot Hills #

No updates received.

Section 2​:​ Central and South-West Borders #

Route 11 Eskdalemuir or Burncleuch (Eskdale) to Craik (and Hawick or Roberton) 

November 2022: between NT 267 007 and Craik Cross Hill, the main route is on heavily overgrown forest rides with some fallen trees, and may be difficult to follow. An alternative route is described in the sixth edition.  

Route 12 Roberton to Teviothead or Newmill (Teviotdale) 

September 2021: A few gates were wired up and difficult to cross. 

Route 15 Moffat to Ramsaycleuch (Ettrick Valley) or Glendearg (Eskdale)  

In 2022, variant 15c in the 6th edition was impassible south-east from the watershed due to fallen trees. 

Route 17 Drumelzier (Broughton) to Cappercleuch (St Mary’s Loch) 

A horse rider has reported: An excellent riding route to do after a spell of dry weather.  Some nasty bogs on the top rule this out if the ground is wet. 

Route 18 Broughton to Stobo and Peebles 

In October 2024 it was reported that the car park at Broughton Place, NT119374 (marked on OS maps but not mentioned in the book) is no longer available for public use. Alternative parking is available in Broughton village.

A horse rider has reported: Excellent route for riders.  Well waymarked.  Horses should not use the walkers’ bridges but it is easy to go round or through the small ditches and burns. 

Route 19  Stobo (Tweeddale) to the Manor Valley and Craig Douglas (Yarrow Valley) 

A horse rider has reported: The first part of this route is an excellent ride. The next section from Glenrath not recommended for horses as it is very steep, rough and boggy. 

Route 20 Peebles to Cappercleuch (St Mary’s Loch) by the Manor Valley 

5th edition: in line 7 ‘turns E’ should be ‘turns W’. Moreover, the route south from Cademuir Hill to Castlelaw is no longer viable and the bridge over the Manor Water at NT216354 has gone. In the sixth edition, this section is bypassed by public road, crossing the Manor Water at NT217377.

A horse rider has reported: the track from Manor Head is ride-able, though the Manor side is quite boggy, especially at the Megget/Manor march, and the Megget side very stony. 

Route 23 Traquair (Innerleithen) to Yarrow Valley 

A horse rider has reported: Can be rather boggy near Glengaber. 

Route 24 Traquair (Innerleithen) to Yarrowford or Selkirk by Minchmoor 

5th edition: in line 9, NT410318 should be NT420318. 

Route 26 Ashiestiel (Tweed Valley) to Broadmeadows 

5th edition: in line 3, NT350430 should be NT430350. 

Section 3: Lammermuir and Moorfoot Hills #

Route 37 Soutra Aisle to Melrose by the Girthgate 

5th edition: Path improvement and new signposting was undertaken near Overhowden in 2015 which means a better route can be used. From Oxton, at the cross roads (NT497536) turn right, and go SW uphill by road and continue on a path (signposted) on the same line alongside the dyke to join the track from Overhowden. After more than 1km, at NT477507 west of Collie Law, go left uphill… This change is incorporated into the sixth edition.

Route 40 Peebles to Innerleithen by Leithen Water 

Variant 40a (6th edition): in 2024, an area of windblown trees blocks the route approaching Shieldgreen Centre, between NT270426 and NT271428. It is possible to pick a way eastward through the plantation to join the track to the east at NT271425. 

Section 4​:​ Pentland Hills #

Route 51 Kirknewton to West Linton by The Cauldstane Slap 

5th edition: a route was waymarked in 2015 that offers an off-road alternative for part of the route from Kirknewton to Little Vantage, this is described in the 6th edition.

Route 53 Auchengray to West Linton

5th edition: The Start point should be NS995542 not NS994524. 

Section 5: Clydesdale and Lowther Hills #

Route 57 Roberton (Abington) to Douglas 

August 2021 Report that there may be some locked gates on the route that need to be climbed over.  

Route 58 Douglas to Wanlockhead 

5th edition: The Finish point shown as NS885146 should be at Wanlockhead which is NS875130. 

Route 60 Muirkirk to Kirkconnel 

August 2021 Report that a number of conifers had blown down across a forest break between NS 723 206 and 726 205 and that while these could be crossed, crossing them involved a degree of difficulty. 

Section 6: Galloway and South Ayrshire #

Route 71 Newton Stewart to Clatteringshaws by the Old Edinburgh Road 

April 2022 : Report that the route between NX 424 673 and NX 457 691 is obstructed in places by fences and a rebuilt stone wall and that parts of the old road between these two points are very overgrown and difficult to  get through. To detour around these obstacles, from NX 424 673,  continue north-east along public roads following route 70 for 4km as far as Auchinleck Bridge. Cross the bridge then after 100m at NX 448 706, turn south-east along a forest road for 2km to rejoin the Old Edinburgh Road at NX 457 691. 

Route 76 Bargrennan to Polharrow Bridge (St John’s Town of Dalry) by Blackhill of Bush 

Particular care is required when crossing the drainage channel on the east side of the Silver Flowe: it is steep sided, deep and fast flowing. 

Section 7: Arran, Inverclyde and North Ayrshire #

Route 87 Lochranza to Dougarie ( Machrie) by Glen Iorsa   

April 2022: A report that a pedestrian stile straddling a drystone dyke near the Dougarie end of the route is in need of repair and not particularly safe to use.  

Route 94 Eaglesham to Darvel by the Weavers Trail 

5th edition: Difficulties were reported on this route in 2013 between NS569471 to NS572444. A revised route avoiding these issues is described in the 6th edition. 

Section 8: Argyll #

No updates received.

Section 9: Southern Highlands #

Route 123 Callander to Ardvorlich (Loch Earn) 

5th edition: the bridge at Arivuchardich which is described as missing in the 5th edition was replaced by 2016, but by 2022 the footbridge at NN 645 167 in Gleann an Dubh Choirein was missing, and fording the river here could be tricky (i.e. wet feet). The 6th edition incorporates these updates.

Route 124 Callander to Comrie by Glen Artney 

By 2022 the footbridge at NN 645 167 in Gleann an Dubh Choirein was missing, and fording the river here could be tricky (i.e. wet feet). The 6th edition incorporates this update.

Route 125 Comrie to Ardeonaig (Loch Tay) by Glen Lednock 

A horse rider has reported: Not recommended for horses. The track over the hill from the head of Loch is indistinct and in places very boggy.

Section 10​:​ Ochils and Lomond Hills #

No updates received.

Section 11: Glen Coe & Appin #

Route 137 Bridge of Orchy to Bridge of Awe 

5th edition: it was reported in February 2018 that the path has fallen into the river around Luib a’Ghobain at NN 241 421. By 2022, the path had been realigned along the new river bank a short distance to the north. This change is incorporated into the sixth edition.

We would appreciate a report and/or photos showing the condition of the bridge over the River Kinglass at NN132357.  

Route 138 Dalmally or Bridge of Awe to Glen Etive and Glen Coe  

We would appreciate a report and/or photos showing the condition of the bridge over the River Kinglass at NN132357.  

Route 139 Bonawe (Loch Etive) to Glen Etive 

5th edition: Since 2013, the route now skirts Bonawe Quarry on its north side via a signed footpath, rather than passing along the seaward side of the quarry area as described in the 5th edition. The new route is described in the 6th edition.

Section 12: Loch Tay to Loch Ericht #

No updates received.

Section 13: Loch Leven to Glen Spean #

Route 153 Bridge of Gaur (Loch Rannoch) to Dalwhinnie by Loch Ericht 

See our update regarding the closure of the level crossing at Dalwhinnie in July 2021 by Network Rail. An alternative route is possible via a track under the railway bridge at NN 634 841. 

Route 155 Corrour Station to Dalwhinnie or Linloch Laggan 

See our update regarding the closure of the level crossing at Dalwhinnie in July 2021 by Network Rail. An alternative route is possible via a track under the railway bridge at NN 634 841. 

Route 157 Corrour Station (Loch Ossian) to Fersit (Glen Spean) 

5th edition: in line 4, NN378775 should be NN392768 .

Route 160 Corrour Station (Loch Ossian) to Kinlochleven 

July 2021 Report that there is a risk of heading off in the wrong direction where the path leaves the track at the south end of Loch Treig. An area has been fenced off and the path has become very indistinct and obscured by scrub growth. It is important to follow the Allt Feith Chiarain and exit the fenced area through a metal gate: if exiting through a wooden gate, follow the fence south to the metal gate where the path becomes more distinct. 

Section 14: Ardgour, Moidart & Morven #

Route 163 Bunavullin (Morvern) to Liddesdale (Loch Sunart) 

5th edition: in line 12, NM662593 should be NM662591.

Route 167 Ardnastang (Strontian) to Glenfinnan by Loch Shiel 

In 2023, our surveyor reported that the footbridge over the Callop River at the north end of the route, which is on the direct route to Glenfinnan, was closed, and this is confirmed by a warning on Forestry and Land Scotland’s website. The alternative route 173a is unaffected.

Route 171 Kilchoan (Ardnamurchan) to Acharacle 

2021: Report that, if following the route in reverse,  picking the correct path west of Fascadale requires careful attention as there is a potentially confusing array of paths. Find the old wall and follow it south west to pick up the small cairn at NM 496 705. 

Section 15: West Mounth & Sidlaw Hills #

Route 176 Blairgowrie to Kirkmichael 

5th edition: the Start Point should be NO180453 not NO150448. 

Route 178 Aldclune (Killiecrankie) to Dalnavaid (Kirkmichael) or Blair Atholl by Glen Girnaig

5th edition: In line 4, NN927653 should be NN929655. 

Route 180 Kirkmichael to Falls of Taft (Glen Tilt) by Glen Fearnach 

5th edition: the Finish Point should be NO986798 not NO986796. 

Route 184 Alyth to Lair (Glenshee)

5th edition: In line 8, the ‘telephone box’ should read ‘telephone exchange’. 

Section 16: East Mounth #

No updates received.

Section 17: Cairngorms #

Route 200 Dalwhinnie to Feagour (Strath Mashie)

5th edition: the route as described in the 5th edition requires climbing two high deer fences and fording two burns. The updated route description in the 6th edition offers an option involving no fences to climb and only one ford.

Route 203 Blair Atholl or Calvine to Ruthven Barracks (Kingussie) by the Minigaig Pass

5th edition: By 2016, bridges at NN753923 and NN755912 had been lost, making the original route to Ruthven Barracks more difficult, and impossible in spate. The 6th edition provides a more detailed, and updated, description.

Route 205 Feshiebridge or Drumguish (Speyside) to Linn of Dee by Glen Feshie and Glen Geldie

5th edition: The Carnachuin footbridge, swept away in 2009, is no longer expected to be replaced. The east bank of the Feshie is prone to landslips, so great care should be taken.

Route 210 Nethy Bridge to Bridge of Avon (Tomintoul)

5th edition: the Start and Finish grid references should be changed to NJ001206 and NJ149202. 

Route 211 Invercauld or Inver (Deeside) to Tomintoul by Loch Builg and Glen Avon

5th edition: the Start Point should be NO187910 not NO187913.

Section 18: North-East Cairngorms #

No updates received.

Section 19: Monadh Liath #

Route 230 Kinveachy (Boat of Garten) to Raigbeg (Tomatin) by General Wade’s Military Road 

At NH875213, where Wade’s Road crosses the Carrbridge Road, the gate northwards has been seen on several occasions since 2013 to have been padlocked. An alternative, described in the 6^th edition, is to turn east and go down the road for 200m and cut back west on a track.

Route 233 Kingussie to Coignafearn (Tomatin) by the River Findhorn

5th edition: At the end of the first paragraph, NH771070 should be NH717070.

Section 20: Loch Eil to Glen Shiel #

No updates received.

Section 21: Glen Affric, Kintail & Strathfarrar #

Route 261 Torgyle Bridge (Glen Moriston) to Tomich (Strathglass)  

2022: a bridge on variant 261a (6th edition) at NH 305 255 has been damaged and is unsafe to use. This can be detoured around by continuing north-east from NH304251 for 800m, then turning west on an ATV track which leads to the north-east side of the bridge to rejoin the route. 

Routes 269, 270, 271, 272 and 273 in Glen Strathfarrar and Monar Dam

Information relating to vehicular access through Glen Strathfarrar to Monar Dam is subject to change: please see the Mountaineering Scotland website for up-to-date information.

Route 271 Monar Dam (Glen Strathfarrar) to Killilan (Loch Long) by Glen Elchaig &
Route 272 Monar Dam (Glen Strathfarrar) to Attadale or Killilan (Loch Long) by Bendronaig Lodge 

June 2022: The suspension bridge over the Alt Riabhachan at NH 125 391 is narrow and somewhat bouncy, with no handrails other than fencing wire on one side only.

Route 278 Stromeferry to Killilan (Loch Long)

It was reported in May 2013 that the stile over the deer fence at NG930339 is no longer there; this was still the case in 2023.

Route 280 Strathconon to Loch Luichart Circular 

August 2022: Between the Loch Luichart dam and Arrieleitrach, dense bracken may make path finding difficult during the summer months. 

Route 282 Scardroy (Strathconon)to Inver (Achnasheen)

 5th edition: the Start Point should be NH226519, not NH219520.

Section 22: Mull and Skye #

Route 289 Kinloch (Isleornsay) to Kylerhea 

5th edition: Start Point should be NG693166 (also on line 5), not NG693165. 

Section 23: Wester Ross #

Route 308 Incheril (Kinlochewe) to Poolewe 

5th edition: this route is shown incorrectly on the Section 23 map. This has been corrected in the 6th edition.

Route 314 Dundonnell to Croftown (Loch Broom)

5th edition: Third paragraph ‘Continue down the edge of the wood’. It is reported that a new path has been constructed down the edge of the wood taking you down to Croftown. 

Section 24: Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross #

Route 319 Braeantra (Alness) to Ardgay or Fearn Lodge (Dornoch Firth)

5th edition: on second last line – Option (b) Grid Ref NH594880 should be NH594886.

Route 328 Lochinver to Inchnadamph 

5th edition: in line 4, NC202245 should be NC194245. 

Section 25​:​ Harris and Lewis #

No updates received.