Callum, I`m a big cartography kind of guy, basically, I love maps, all kinds of maps. The thing about Ordnance Survey maps, is that it`s as much about the scale of the maps you are using for a day`s walk in the hills (as you unfortunately experienced), as much as buying the most recent version for the areas in question.
I`m not sure of the scale the map you used for that walk in the hills, I`m thinking it may have been 1:50 000 scale (the Landranger series)? If it was, then small tracks and paths can be notoriously vague and unreliable.
The Explorer series of maps ( at 1:25 000) are much more reliable and detailed, but cover a smaller area. Highly recommended, even if they are rather pricey.
I have an ipad 2 and one of my fondest apps is an app simply called UK Maps. You tap on an area anywhere in the UK and have the option to download Ordnance Survey maps for that area at 1:25 000 or 1:10 000 scale. Awesome, especially if you like maps. I have the whole of Scotland downloaded at 1:25 000 scale and I don`t need wi-fi to use them, they are installed on my ipad to view at any time. The amount of detail on these maps is incredible, really useful if you are planning a walk in wild areas, so that you have more than one escape route if you run into trouble.
Saying that, yes, there are times even Ordnance Survey (probably more used to dealing with lush english countryside than wild Scottish highlands) get things a little wrong. Still, glad you managed to get home in one piece though. I can imagine how scary that would have been at the time.
