Go out and do hills, starting Munros for you would be Mayar and Driesh. Don't worry about boots, there are lots of ways to skin that particular cat and the best way is to try out a few different schools of thought* over a couple of years. Once you've worn your new karrimors out, try something totally different or pick up 2nd hand if a bargain presents itself on fb.
I really think folk get way too excited about the high peaks like the himalayas, there's plenty of adventure to be had in the Scottish Highlands. Some of my favourite hills are Dumyat, the Cobbler and Ben An.
Walkhighands is your friend, pick a route, get map from the library and off you go. If you have a look around, you might find your Council run subsidised skills courses like nav or winter skills days, I know Falkirk council do. Other than that, you can't go wrong with a week at Glenmore Lodge. Otherwise, sign yourself up to various day courses and possibly make yourself some new hill buddies.
*I've tried leather boots, synthetic boots, now I'm on La Sportiva TX4 which are a mid height very light shoe that stops pebbles or splashes of water going over the top. Imo ankle support is overrated, most of the time I've had ankle trouble such as rolling (and falling over), it's been at the end of the day from getting damn tired carrying bricks around on my feet. Maybe I'd feel different if my summer walking was long distance trekking but most of the time I prefer just having my shoes as light as possible.
