The Scotland Trail runs through Scotland in six stages from Kyle of Lochalsh to Montrose, covering 402 km with a total climb of 4953 m. The route heads generally east and crosses varied terrain.
The first stage from Kyle of Lochalsh to Glenelg is 41.3 km with 632 m of climbing, including two main climbs: a 3.6 km ascent gaining 171 m at an average of 4.8% and a steeper 4.6 km climb gaining 332 m at 7.2% average gradient. Stage two from Glenelg to Fort Augustus is the longest day at 88 km covering 1093 m of ascent with multiple climbs ranging from 44 m to 217 m gain with average gradients up to 8.3% and some short steep sections over 13%.
Stage three from Fort Augustus to Kingussie covers 56.9 km with 928 m climbing, the hardest climb being 4.4 km gaining 398 m at 9% average and max 11.7%. Stage four from Kingussie to Tomintoul is 75 km and less demanding, with climbs mostly under 100 m in gain and gradients below 7.5%, the highest point being 463 m.
The fifth stage from Tomintoul to Ballater is 55.4 km with 529 m climbing, including one climb of 247 m at 6.3%. The final stage from Ballater to Montrose is 85.7 km and features a major climb of 5.8 km with 592 m gain at 10.2% average and a max gradient of 26%. Each stage passes numerous places with available water or food stops—from 12 to 29 per stage—so there are frequent opportunities to replenish supplies. Recorded temperatures and months are not specified.
