Three Munro Weekend Itineraries from Edinburgh (No Car Needed)

Itinerary 1: Ben Lomond via Rowardennan

Train: Edinburgh Waverley → Glasgow Queen Street → Balloch, then Citylink 309 to Rowardennan. Camp or stay at the hostel. Climb Ben Lomond via the tourist path on day one; optional Ptarmigan path descent. Return the next morning or add Conic Hill on the West Highland Way.

Itinerary 2: Ben Lawers & Beinn Ghlas from Killin

Train: Edinburgh → Stirling, bus to Killin. Stay in Killin hostel/B&B. Day hike the Ben Lawers and Beinn Ghlas circuit; buses back to Stirling/Edinburgh in the evening. Check last buses — they finish earlier on Sundays.

Itinerary 3: Cairn Gorm from Aviemore

Direct train Edinburgh → Aviemore. Stay in Aviemore hostel or campsite. Bus/taxi to the ski centre, ascend Cairn Gorm via Windy Ridge; add Ben Macdui in good weather. Return by afternoon train. In winter, carry full winter kit and check SAIS.

Backup and Safety

Always have a foul-weather alternative: low-level walks in Rothiemurchus, the Falls of Dochart loop in Killin, or Conic Hill on Loch Lomond. Screenshot bus times, carry cash, and remember some rural services run infrequently or not at all on Sundays.