A friend went hiking in Scotland in the spring and said that hiking trails throughout most of the country were unbelievably muddy....to the point that it pulled off your boots. Is it likely to be that bad in July?
Posted by
Last Frontier aka Alaska 🏔️
3561 posts
Following as we go in July as well. Hopefully, they have dried out by then.
Posted by
Yorkshire
1349 posts
It's likely an historically dry summer in the making.
After a long wet cold winter it's been hot and dry for 6 weeks,hit 90 plus in Scotland last week
Posted by
Edinburgh
2681 posts
been really dry at the moment and has been for a while.depending where you are going some trails can get a bit muddy but never had mud sucking off my boots in over 50 years of walking in Scotland. it can get wet so be prepared but this July most of the ground is baked hard .
Posted by
Yorkshire
1339 posts
Hi -
Richard and Unclegus are correct, the ground is currently parched due to a prolonged period of no rain and a strange golden orb appearing in the sky. My friends pics of the Cairngorms the other day looked sensational. They even made a reference to skinny dipping in a Lochan so it must have been hot as well as normally that would be a great way of inducing hypothermia!
However, this could all change in a heartbeat so be prepared. While I've never had footwear dragged off by muddy conditions, boots, not shoes are your friend when walking in Scotland. The paths don't seem to me to be that muddy, but equally can be rough and wet underfoot.
Where exactly do you plan to walk?
Ian
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
Scottish trails are generally wet. They get a lot of rain! But there is usually a way to pick your way through the mire. There are strategically placed stones/rocks and you learn to look for the best path. You can't just forge ahead without scouting! Do where waterproof hiking boots. Running shoes won't work unless the drought and heat continue.
Pam