The first Torridon Walking Festival - the area thought to be the inspiration for Middle Earth in Tolkein's 'Lord of the Rings' - promises exceptional choices for scaling iconic summits and exploring local forest footpaths. The Festival aims to entice both adventure seekers and low level trekkers to experience some of the best walking in Scotland.

The new three day festival will run from Saturday, 1st - Monday, 3rd October, with low level walks following estate roads and footpaths and high level walks designed for those who are used to the mountain environment and who thrive on discovering Scotland's wild and off-the-beaten-track places.

The Torridon area is famous for its magnificent combination of rocky peaks and vast lochs, and the sandstone mountains which give the area its reputation are huge, brooding monoliths whose pinnacle crests are a fitting challenge for any expedition.

Torridon Walking Festival's guides are all fully qualified, enthusiastic and have spent a lifetime exploring the hills of Scotland. Their main aim is to help walkers and non-walkers achieve and experience something they never imagined possible - which is good news for potential Festival-goers.

There are plenty of accommodation options in the area - many listed on the Festival's website - ranging from youth hostels, B&Bs and guest houses to self catering, inns and hotels. For further information on the Torridon Walking Festival, to book a place on one of the days' walks, find out more about the guides, the routes and the accommodation, check out Torridon Walking Festival Website .