I know there is a few threads regards to the Southern Upland Way, but seem a little dated now.

For next year, if thing's work out and dates ok. Me and my mate will be walking the Southern Upland Way, next year. I've just brought the guide and I'm looking at it very closely.

It does seem very remote and sparse, although we will be back-packing the route.

I'm told, the midges may be a problem, but I've just got insect proof head net from Wilko's, very cheap @ £2.99.

Any comments welcomed, especially about any camp sites or wild camping along the route and any decent pubs too.

As you'll be backpacking, accommodation won't be much of a worry. More important for backpackers is to know for certain where they'll be able to replenish food supplies, so it's worth phoning round to make sure shops are going to be open when you're passing through.

Sparseness of accommodation prompts a lot of people to stay two nights in one place, and their hosts pick up and drop off at an agreed road. No problem for you. Incidentally, I crossed an 'A' road on every day, so it's not exactly the back of beyond up there, and you only get over 2000 feet above sea level on one day.

The bothies are mentioned in the Cicerone guide, and the ones I glanced in were excellent.

Useful websites are southernupland way.gov.uk
and southernuplandway.com, though I'm sure you've found those already.

I did the walk east-west in April May 2011 and hope to be able to give you a link to my write-up in a few days.

You're sure to want to stay at the excellent Tibbie Shiels Inn campsite, and you'll enjoy the pub and its food - and there's a roadside cafe there. Apart from that I don't really have much to offer on campsites, but wild camping opportunities abound from New Luce to Galashiels and between Lauder and Longformacus.

1:50000maps are perfectly adequate.

Pubs? Well, apart from Tibbie Shiels Inn, I can't get over-excited about them. The Clachan Inn at St Johns Town of Dalry, the Kenmuir Arms at New Luce, the Hopetoun Inn at Leadhills, the Lauderdale Arms at Lauder, and most of the pubs in Moffat - all good for food and beer, and in some cases the only choice!

Cheers for info, Pete. It does seem to have plenty going for it.

Tibbie Shiels Inn sounds interesting and history behind it, is that about Tibbie Shiels Inn, a woman who ran the inn after her husband died at a early age, she lived to 95, a remarkable woman.

I've finally got round to writing up the Southern Upland Way walk.
Here's the link
http://www.stottiewalks.walkingplaces.co.uk/suw.htm

Cheers for the link, will have a good look on there. I've got the guide for the Southern Upland Way and does look like a cracking walk to do.

Cheers Pete,
Looks like the weather was ok, congrats on an excellent write up, and super photos. The only dull looking one is that of Stranrar, so I think if I get around to it I would start at that end.
The terrain doesn't look too demanding and reminds me of an extended Dales Way with more undulations.
Dave.

Thanks Dave
Most people start at Stranraer end (i.e. Portpatrick). There's a campsite just south of Portpatrick, and a shop and pub at New Luce when I went through. You can camp at the pub at New Luce, though knowing your mileages you'd want to get further on Day 1.
Planning your shopping and/or meal stops is your main concern if camping on the SUW.

Stottie - I've just read your diary of the SUW and it reads really well! It looks like there are lots of rolling hills which afford a good days walk.

Sadly I won't be able to read your message in Beehive Bothy for a good while yet. My judo injury sustained in June is worse than I thought. I've torn the ligament and the cartilage and am waiting to see a surgeon about having my knee res-constructed. The good news is that although my career playing rugby for Old Rottinhamians Extra B may be over, I am assured I can do my walks again!

I read your message about the injury but hadn't realised how bad it was.

Good news that they expect you to return to the hills - meanwhile, like the fictional and inimitable Fred Fogg, you can leave the rough boys to play rugby while you maintain your fitness by forsaking Bass and supping the local mild!
Best wishes

Great walk this. I didn't backpack but there are plenty of places to wild camp. And yes, if you plan well, you should be able to stock up on supplies in some of the places you go through. You do cross roads if you get stuck, but it is quite a remote walk, which I loved.