Tom Langhorne and Cameron Hyde relied on the kindness of strangers to make their way across Scotland. Photo / YouTube, Fandabi Dozi
Tom Langhorne and Cameron Hyde relied on the kindness of strangers to make their way across Scotland. Photo / YouTube, Fandabi Dozi
It doesn't matter how broke you are, it turns out you can see the whole of Scotland on any budget.
Two thrifty students have hitchhiked over 650 miles across Scotland without reaching into their pockets once to spend cash on food or transport.
Tom Langhorne, 23, and Cameron Hyde, 24, left their home in Aberdeen with just their backpacks, a bag of rice and a bag of oats at the end of May. The duo went on to see some of the country's most remote and untouched locations, such as Cape Wrath totally free of charge.
In just seven days the penniless pair covered up 650 miles relying entirely on the generosity of others.
They hitched 17 rides from people who came from all around the world, including India, Switzerland, Spain and Germany.
The University of Aberdeen biology students filmed their experience of camping in the wild and making friends along the way as they completed their mammoth trek.
Tom set himself and Cameron the challenge to prove how generous people can be and that money wasn't needed to do something exciting.
When necessary they were prepared to camp out in the wild and came well prepared to take on the elements. Photo / YouTube
He said: "Living without money is something I was interested in, and I read a book called the moneyless manifesto, which sets out the philosophy and inspired me to see if I could do it.
"I wanted to give up money as an experiment and see if it was possible to make the journey without it. It was an amazing experience."
It helps that the duo are both experienced hikers, having previously taken on the Scottish National Trail and other challenging hikes. And, Tom has previously hitchhiked in Europe. Their first stop was Inverness, before thumbing lifts on to Ullapool and then on to Kinlochbervie, camping out when necessary.
The duo are experience hikers and have taken on the Scottish National Trail previously. Photo / YouTube
Along the way they met characters from different walks of life, including travelling salesmen, Spanish and Swiss tourists and even a pensioner couple with a motorhome.
Tom, from Glasgow, said: "There was a big mix of people who were willing to help us. Hitchhiking is supposed to be something that's dying off but we always found someone to give us a lift.
The thrifty pair were inspired to test the generosity of the public and set out with just the backpacks a bag of rice and a bag of oats. Photo / YouTube
"From previous experience I know people who pick up hitchhikers either to be the nicest people or the craziest, but we had nothing but good experiences here.
"The first guy to give us a lift out of Aberdeen even said he felt like giving up his job and joining us."
Along the way they received rides and donations, including food, a few beers and some whiskies in exchange for work. Photo / YouTube
The pair chanced their luck by asking local businesses for extra food and using supplies left over for hikers in the bothies they used. As well as having their rice and oats, the pair were also forced to eat gorse flowers and small herbs called pignuts.
After hiking from Cape Wrath to the isolated Kearvaig bothy, the duo made their way back to Ullapool, where they were put up for the night - and given generous access to food and a few beers and whiskies - by two men who picked them up on the road in exchange for doing their gardening.
The students went fishing along the way. Photo / YouTube
Then they returned eastwards, hitchhiking and walking through the Cairngorms before getting a lift back almost to their door.
Tom said: "We met some of the kindest people you could ever meet and I was amazed by all their different backgrounds - Glaswegians, Swiss and Spanish tourists, Aberdonians, people from the West Highlands and English people.
