Trekking/walking poles for Highland trails

Your best bet is to google for outdoor stores in wherever town you will be.
I just this past week did the same for 2 upcoming trips.

I will be renting trekking polls at REI in Anchorage next month, and I have the address for a store in Graz, Austria, where I will likely buy a pair that are on sale or something in October. Fun times.

Hi -

Dependent on your base and where you are passing through, try Tiso, Blacks, Sport Direct, Go Outdoors, and, but more upmarket, Cotswold Outdoors. Buy a pair (I can’t see the advantage in just one) and personally I prefer the click lock type over the screw lock variety. And long handles!

Hope you have a great trip. The Highlands are magnificent!

Ian

I'm facing the same challenge for my upcoming trip. I am just getting an idea of outdoor shops in the area via internet and will also check with my hotel front desk once I arrive. I'm willing to check the poles on the way home because I believe they will (eventually) arrive.

If you are based or are beginning in Fort William you will find any number of sporting goods stores from which you can acquire hiking poles. Your accommodations may also have hiking poles you can borrow/rent. They may not match but they'll get the job done.

I will be traveling to Scotland next spring and flying into Glasgow so was checking online for trekking poles. I found that the larger cities have a number of outdoor stores. For example, Tiso in Glasgow has this selection in a wide range of prices.

Sports Direct has the cheapest prices (I got one pole for less than 7 ponds and it held up very well- but it didn’t fold up to fit in my suitcase so it got left behind). Mountain Warehouse was also well priced, and Tiso had the better quality ones you can get here. All of these stores are easily found in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Fort Williams. These are also good places to pick up Smidge in case of midges (I’d skip the mesh head cover).

Hi, KS,

Just back from a month in Scotland with hiking poles. The ones that we have are the click lock type (Trail Buddy and Black Diamond), and they come apart in three sections to easily fit in a 24" suitcase. I wouldn't worry too much about putting yours in checked luggage. Ours made it through safely on British Air (PHL-LHR-GLA and GLA-LHR-BWI), and our checked baggage was never inspected.

In addition to the previously mentioned outdoor shops, there are also Craigdon and Nevisport, although they are more regional than national.

Best of luck with your travels. Scotland is a fantastic country for hiking and hill walking!

Mike (Auchterless)

Thank you all for your insight and advice! We are checking in our foldable Leki trekking poles. Can't wait to walk the Highlands of Scotland! KS