Joel Varty
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Scotland Hiking Expedition

Screenshot of the trip

Later this year I'm heading to Scotland for an 8-day National Geographic hiking expedition through the Highlands and Islands. Edinburgh, Loch Lomond, Glen Coe, the Isle of Skye, Perthshire. Solo. It's my first real personal trip, and I'm documenting the whole thing, from the training and preparation to the trail itself.

Posts in this series

Page 1 of 3

Showing 1-5 of 11 posts

Screenshot from Nat Geo of Scotland

The Anti-Bucket List

March 17, 2026
Travel

I'm going to Scotland. Not for work. Not with family. Just me and a pair of hiking boots. At 50, I'm rethinking what a bucket list even means.

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A wet trail through bare-branched spring forest at Orono Crown Lands, green ground cover beginning to come up

Sodden at Orono Crown Lands

April 25, 2026
Travel

A short rainy hike at a new spot, a small wardrobe lesson learned, and a very kind barista who pretended not to notice.

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The Hog's Back trail marker on a tree, with white trilliums blooming on the slope below

Trilliums on the Hog's Back

May 19, 2026
3rd Spacesphotography

Fifteen kilometers on the Green A loop in Northumberland Forest. Three laps of the Hog's Back to prep my legs for Scotland. And the trilliums everywhere, just doing their thing.

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Standing on a quiet Edinburgh street lined with sandstone townhouses, morning sun overhead

Scotland, Day One: Edinburgh Before the Group

May 30, 2026
Travelphotography

Arrived in Edinburgh at 8am on almost no sleep. A walk to the Botanic Gardens, a lovely brunch, and a few hours to myself before the group meets at noon.

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Selfie near the top of Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh stretching out along the ridge behind

Day One: Edinburgh, Arthur's Seat, and the Closes off the Royal Mile

May 30, 2026
Travelphotography

The first day of the Scotland expedition. Seven of us, two guides, a National Geographic photographer, a hike up Arthur's Seat, and the quiet closes hiding just off a very crowded Royal Mile.

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